our taxi got pulled over

Lets just say greasy pizza plus a boat ride on the Mediterranean is not the best idea. Though, at one time, Oranim thought it would be a great idea.

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...

my twizzlers cost more than my shampoo

It all started with a simple e-mail. Saturday, two days before I was to embark to Ramla, I received a message from a girl in the program. Her name was Lindsay, and she was also in Jerusalem until the program begin. And Lindsay suddenly found herself without a ride.

Knowing little about her, I asked Yehudah, who would be taking me the following days down to Ramla if she could join. "How will all your luggage fit?" was all he could say. I figured if we managed to squeeze in the luggage, everything would be okay.

The next day, Lindsay and I decided to spend some time getting to know each other and, after we looked at her luggage over where she was staying, we adventured to the mall. Both having little money, we walked around like middle-schoolers, having their parents drop them off at the entrance on a Saturday. We got along great, and quickly became great friends.

And then, as if it couldn't come soon enough, it was finally October 19th. The day I was to begin my 5-month journey. Yehudah, late as most Israelis are, picked both of us up, and drove us the hour drive (well a little bit shorter) south to the northern part of Ramla.

We were only the 2nd to arrive, entering our house at 3 Herzel St. I was shocked, what a big house, though extremely dirty. It seems Oranim (the program I am going through) passes this house on and on through participants, and we assume it has never had a real cleaning.

A nice wall lines the front, where a fire-pit and table/chairs are. It's actually extremely cute for how old it is. Once inside you are greeted by a huge space. To the left is the living room, with 2 couches, a tv, and lots of room! And to the right is a kitchen, dining room table, and more space!

7 people in total live in the house, with 4 more girls living in an apartment a block away. There is one room with 3 girls, (bunk-beds!) and a bathroom for them! There is Erika, Jackie, and Taylor. All 3 very different, but very great girls!

And then, luck would have it, Lindsay and I were sharing the other room! We share a bathroom with the two boys (a 28 year old from Chicago, and a 20 year old from the Netherlands!). The bathroom is already so dirty and gross, that we don't seem to mind sharing it with them (though we are planning on trying to talk to someone to get rid of the horrible smell).

Lindsay and my room is honestly great, we have plenty of room and a giant mirror! We have even turned a bedside shelf into our "office" space. The beds are ripped and turn apart. The blankets that Yehudah gave us (an extra, lucky enough for Lindsay) do not fit on the extra-long twin beds. The air-vent leaks through and we hear all sounds from the outside, along with being extremely cold. But even with the bedding being anything but perfect, everything is pretty nice! (except the fact, i am writing this on 4 hours of sleep because I could not sleep, and I am waiting for people to wake up...) I'll have to go into a store tomorrow and figure out a better sleeping way!

We've spent the past days going through orientation, and soon we will begin Ulpan (intensive hebrew learning). I am 1 of 2 girls who actually knows the language, so Hila and I will be going twice a week, for 3 hours, to an advance class, while the other kids will spend the first 3 weeks going from 8:30 - 1, 4 days a week.

Nir, our city coordinator, has told me I can go to the class with the kids, on days I don't have my own, so I can practice. I am determined to become fluent.

I am actually shocked how little everyone else knows. I guess after going to a jewish day school and camp for so long, plus learning it in school, I really picked it up. Kids here had no idea that Biet was house, or that Achat was one.

We're going to Tel-Aviv on Thursday for a boat ride with other Oranim kids, and also, Lindays birthday! And I'm planning on staying till Saturday, spending time with an old friend, Keren, who will be at her brothers house! I am really excited to get to explore Tel-Aviv.

There has already been tons of talks about trips we all want to take, and we even found out we get the 8 days of Chanukah off! I am sure we will be traveling a great amount! But since this has all yet to come, I will save the rambling for later. Hopefully I'll take pictures soon and be able to show you what I truly mean by all my descriptions!

did you hear the one about the painted donkey?

Only in Jerusalem could you find a biblical zoo, complete with a play-size Noah's ark. But I can't say that I am that shocked, after all, Jerusalem is a city that prides it self on their Jewish connection. Though, I can say I was shocked walking around this zoo. I took over 500 images that day, mostly of Yoavi, but a lot of the animals and what the zoo had to offer.

After I dreadfully went through each picture, I picked around 100 that I would like to showcase. Maybe you'll find it as strange as I did, or maybe it wont shock you at all, but the picture above, of a hamster, was an actual image I shot in the zoo. Yes, that is right, not only does the Jerusalem biblical zoo showcase hamsters, but also, squirrels and other rodents (and no, these aren't pictures of the animals running freely, they are behind glass!).

In a total of three hours I was surrounded by more english speaking than I would have imagined, more unusual "zoo" animals, and most shockingly, not one shopping cart. In America, especially the Miami zoo, it is not a place to showcase animals, but a place to make money. Everywhere you turn there is another cart selling ice-cream, waters, and junky souvenirs. And on a crowded day, there is always a line of screaming children trying to beg their parents.

That was not the case in this zoo, as I started getting thirsty along my journey, I realized that there was not one place to buy a drink. About half way through, I finally saw my first (and the only) cart that is placed through-out the zoo. And it was closed. I saw no children sheding tears, and only one begging her parents to buy a stupid little toy, and even that wasn't until the end in the tiny-little gift shop.

Back to my original "simple thought" of the Israelis, the zoo is, shockingly, actually a place for people to view animals.

After three long hours, we finally made it to the end. But, this wasn't before, no lie, Yoavi fell asleep mid-walk. I have never seen anything like this before, but it was true. He was fast asleep (and stayed asleep through-out the elephants, the deers, and the flamingos), and did not wake up till we stepped on the train at the end.

One thing the zoo did have was a beautiful bridge that walked through their very own "safari." The giraffes, hippos and zebras were absolutely breathtaking. I hope you enjoy looking at my pictures, as much as I did taking them!

Before I end my ramblings, I must tell you about the zoo in Gaza, which for reasons, I will not be able to go to. But I did find out about why it is such a zoo to visit. They could not afford a zebra, so why would I want to go their? Please, my words cannot explain the phenominam of this story, take the time and read/glance over this article. It will certainly give you some laughs.

"there's more to the picture, then meets the eyes..."- n. young

Hey guys! I have already taken TONS of pictures! Of course, the only problem is cutting them down to put them on the web! While sometimes I'll post some on here, all the ones I choose to "edit" will be here ...(http://picasaweb.google.com/rtreiste) I really hope you enjoy! And i'll try my best to always post a rambling when I've put up new pictures...

*also, I figured out how to send e-mail notifications when I have posted a new blog... comment below if you would like me to add your e-mail address to the list!*

silly rabit, Trix are for kids!

About a month ago, I remember being in the supermarket browsing the cereal selection. I decided to feel like a kid again, and bought my old-childhood favorite, Trix. But I was completely disappointed when I got home, poured myself a bowl, and realized that the individual pieces were no longer shaped like the fruit the tasted of. Instead, they were just round, like all the other cereals in the world. They were no longer unique. And I was sad.

America has gotten so lazy, even the simplest things are no longer being done. The reason I loved Trix was not because of their super-great commercial, but because I enjoyed the different shape of the cereals. I'm pretty sure I used to even eat them one shape at a time. Knowing me, I probably refused to eat the grape shapes, until all the pretty blue "flowers" were gone!

Well, yesterday I went to an Israeli supermarket. Now, this wasn't a huge "Publix" type store, but more of a neighborhood market type. And out of the 10 or so cereals that they had, one was Trix. To my greatest surprise ever, it was the original cereal, shapes and all! I was so happy! And that is when it hit me, Israel is full of enjoying the simple things in life!

First, they don't have a blackberry or IPhone to buy here (those who want them have to get them from the staes). Most phones here still have 3 letters per number, and barely any has the internet, let alone e-mail! The phone I have is the same phone I had back in high-school. And I love it! (mostly because it has Snake, which if anyone remembers was the most amazing phone game ever!)

Also, the shampoo here is amazing. You guys know me, I have hair that if not taken care of properly, turns HUGE and FRIZZY. But now here. For the past week I haven't even used conditioner. I HAVE NEVER ONLY USED SHAMPOO! Yet, my hair is the best it has ever been! (which makes me think there is a huge market in America for Israeli shampoo, who's with me?)

So far, the only bad thing I have noticed about Israel is that Twilight:New Moon will not be coming out till December 10th. And i'll live with that (as long as someone promise to send me a bootleg version off their cell phone!)

68:2:1

68 females wearing white-long sleeve t-shirts under a shirt that shows skin.
2 females wearing a black-long sleeve t-shirt under their shirts that show skin.
1 female, out of the two wearing black-long sleeve t-shirts, pregnant.

I noticed it my first night in town, all the women wear these colorful and flowered tank tops, and low cut/off the shoulder shirts, and then "ruin" them with this white shirt. I don't understand. I always thought I dressed pretty conservative, never thought of myself as a "slutty" dresser, but now, wearing shorts, or a v-neck, i feel awkward, and stared at. awkward.

The funny thing is, I didn't notice that they were only wearing white, until I saw a young pregnant women wearing black. Then it hit me, maybe white is the good and black is the bad? Who knows... I'll have to look more into it.

Jet-lag is starting to kick-in. The family I am staying with expects so much from me. I feel bad being tired, and I'm starting to get sick. Yesterday, after i took a nap, Yehudah took me to the old city and kotel. Instantly memories of the past came flooding back to me! I remembered things I had not thought about in years. Crazy.

We walked down the old-qtrs and saw all the people selling "crap." it's all the same, walk a little past, and you'll find it again. TOURIST scheme if you ask me!

By the time we got to the actual wall,I was exhausted. I hadn't ate since my "toast" at breakfast (which is really two HUGE pieces of bread, with way to much butter, and 4 slices of really heavy cheese) at 10, and was just feeling sick. I am not used to the dairy products here, it is all heavy, and i can't eat it. (All i hate today was another one of these "toast" things, and I'm disgusted with myself, i am getting really excited to live on my own and being shopping for what i enjoy!)
Anyway, (sorry for the rambling about the toast) I barely wanted to take my camera out. And when Yehudah left me to go to the men's side, i took a couple pictures and waited, i was just to tired to go see g-d. I know I'll be back. So it's okay.

We then had to walk back. At this point all i wanted to do was sit, I could barely walk. I had to convince Yehudah not to walk back through the shuk, and finally I realized I was starving. After a way to long hike to find a restaurant, I asked for the first thing i saw, Pizza, and ate it all up. QUICKLY.

The thing is, they eat HUGE meals here. So for me,I get full easily, and they do not understand. After the pizza, I was completely full, but Yehudah wanted to take me to get a hamburger, I'm seriously shocked they eat this much.

Today I spent most of the day sleeping. When I first got up around 10, they wanted me to go to a Bat-Mitzvah with them, but I politely declined. I had to get some rest. It is 8:30 and I know I'll be going to bed soon. I know they look at me strangely, not in a bad way, just in a "how does she not eat" way. But honestly, I am not hungry. They eat SO MUCH, and it is all so heavy, I just simply could not imagine eating that. You should see the amount of butter (no, not "I can't believe it's not butter light") that they put on things.

But with all the ramblings aside, I am so excited and still happy as ever to be here! It is a wonderful world, and tomorrow, if I am up to it, I am going with Shira to the school she works at! Hopefully I will be able to get up and go at 6!

and the rambling begins...

Wow. My timing is still off, but I'm pretty sure it's been almost 24 hours since I turned off my American phone and left my parents at the gates at Miami International Airport... After an extremely long flight to London, where the only "joy" was watching a bad movie with a shirtless Ryan Reynolds, I breathed my first taste of European air.

I was completely surprised, and confused, about the fact I had to spend every minute of my two hour layover going on trains and standing in line. Apparently, London does not trust America, and I had to go through security all over again, which took forever. By the time I journeyed on a terminal bus, up an elevator, and on a train, I got to my gate just as I was supposed to board...
But still, I loved my time in Europe, and hope I will be back soon...

I fell asleep quickly on my next flight, my eyes were closed before we even got off the ground. And after around 5 hours, I arrived in Tel-Aviv.

The first thing I noticed, having forgotten mostly about my past trips here, were how "americanized" everything is. Even the sign for the airport is written in English.
After a quick ten minute line under a sign that read "foreign passport," which could have gone much quicker, except the guy in front of me was confused, I got my luggage and became nervous about going through customs. I saw two signs, a red one and a green one, and followed the massive crowed under the green sign. I was shocked, I was already outside. Yehudah later told me that it is mostly about stereotypes here. If I look like I have something to hide, then I will be stopped.

I was shocked.

During the hour drive to Jerusalem, I also realized more about this stereotype. Yehudah explained it to me as if we were driving on a path (en route to Jerusalem from Tel-Aviv), but on the left and right is Palestinian land... So when you go through a "check-point" (if we will call it that), all they do is ask how are you. If you sound strange/look weird, they stop you. I guess it works for them, but to me it seems strange.

Yehudah and I finally arrived in Ramot, and he had to have his son come down and bring my luggage up. Who would have known my 2 HUGE HEAVY bags would have to be walked up millions of steps. I even feel bad, because some how the family I am staying with is under the impression I will be "living" here. They are assuming I will be keeping things here, and only bringing some stuff with me to Ramlah next week. I keep on trying to tell them, but I do not think they understand.

We will see...

So before I start rambling more, I'm going to go enjoy my first night in Jerusalem! It is Simcha Torah today, so Yehudah and his wife are taking me on a night tour and to a park, where people apparently dance with Torahs!

Lehitraot...