But, before we embarked on this horrible boat ride, we had one great group meeting. Nir, the guy stuck in charge of us who we absolutely are obsessed with, sat us down and went over the volunteering activities. We got to pick 3 locations. Kindergarden care, helping out in the english class in elementary schools, middle schools, soup kitchens, animal shelters, the local TV station, and even a group of kids around our age and their english speaking club, were on the list!
During the next couple of weeks, since we don't actually start volunteering till mid-november, we are going to have the chance to try a couple out. All the kids I've talked to from previous groups just complain, but we all seem to think it sounds great! But, we'll have to see what happens!
If the volunteering is organized anything like this boat ride, we'll all be screwed.
After rushing to get ready, all of us got in a taxi and headed to Tel-Aviv. Right away we were miserable. They fed us pizza, which was free, so of course we ate way to much, and then the boat started going from side to side. I think within the first minute people were throwing up out the window.
What was supposed to be at two-hour journey around the Mediterranean, turned into a 20 minute session of plastic bags begin passed around. It was horrible.
We're not sure if he felt bad about the boat, or if just because he is awesome, Nir took two trips driving us to our hostel (i'm serious, we really love this guy!). We spent the night celebrating Lindsay's birthday, and the next day at the beach! It was perfect weather and soft sand!
By 2 o'clock we were all ready to embark home. While some of the group got tired and decided to splurge for a taxi back to Ramla, I simply did not have the money. The two guys and I decided to trek a 45 minute hike through town to the bus station.
Now, me being the only one to speak Hebrew, a lot falls on me. Including, getting directions. And since I absolutely always get lost, this was bound to be a long trip. But we finally arrive at the Central bus station, and after mazing our way through a mall-like structure saw the ticket center.
Except, they didn't have buses to Ramla, so we had to continue searching. Finally, I found it. But by the time it was almost 4, and the station was beginning to close for Shabbat. The guy in charge said "nope, no more busses to Ramla" and we all thought we were stuck. We ended up walking down two flights of stairs to the area of shared taxis, called sheriuts.
11 sheckels later and we were, FINALLY, on our way back to Ramla. But what should have been a 45 minute car ride, turned into 2 hours when our van was pulled over. Again, being the only one to speak Hebrew, I had to translate between the group of 3 I was with, and the Israelis on the bus.
Turns out we were speeding, and not wearing seat belts. Seriously? We had been trying to get home since 2 and it was now almost 5.
Using my Hebrew to figure out where the bus needed to stop in Ramla to drop us off was also RIDICULOUS, but we finally saw the park outside our house, and ran.
The rest of the weekend was spent wondering around the city, and learning more about each other. By Saturday night, the end to the Israel weekend, we were exhausted.
Sunday we started Ulpan. The entire group had to be at the college at 8:30 to learn! Lucky for me I didn't have to go to my advance lesson till 1, but unfortunately, I got woken up anyway.
Only one other girl in my group is going to the advance, and we join in on another Oranim's Ulpan. At least we'll make new friends?
Class was fine, and I was able to understand! I can't wait to become fluent!
Sunday night we went on another horrible journey. A 45 minute or so bus ride, up and down bumpy roads, to Jerusalem. MASA, the organization behind it all, was hosting a huge concert for American kids in Israel on MASA programs.
Not everyone in the group went, but it was still a lot of fun! I got to see tons of friends of mine who are in Israel on other programs!
We're going to spend the rest of the week working on our hebrew, and this weekend we're trying to plan something fun for Halloween. But who knows? Maybe I should dress up as a ramblin' man? Or does someone else have a better suggestion...
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