First Impressions

Before I forget, if you are coming to Israel by yourself, and you need to accomplish things once you get here before you collapse, take the taxi.  I thought that that was my plan until I got here and with no taxi’s in sight (yes everyone finds that odd, maybe it was a sign) and the shuttle needing only one more passenger (ie: we would leave immediately needing no more passengers for a full complement) I gave in to my frugal gene and went with the shuttle.  Now, on the upside, the ride was a true adventure in Israeli style driving, complete with careening and squeezing and sudden stops, ignoring ambulances and yelling at other drivers (I don’t think I want to know what he was saying).

I also saw neighborhoods and vistas that I might have missed had I taken a cab, but our driver did pass the turn that would literally have taken a half a block to drop me in time at housing four times.  His choice was to drop me off next to last at the locked gate to the University telling me he was not allowed to drive in (this is actually because the school is on holiday and the front gate is closed).  After 17 hours traveling, bag and baggage, I followed my best instincts, keeping the University on my left I started off to find the open entrance I was assured was waiting for me. It was probably not as far as it felt dragging my luggage down and then uphill, until I found the bus underpass and entrance to the other end of the campus along with a simply delightful young man who carried my bags to the building holding the many offices that were my next step.  

Sadly, by the time I got there, the offices were officially closed and I received my first stern disapproving stare, but was instantly brought water, phone calls were made, I filled out a missing form for the University and then was driven the last half mile to the Student Village which will be my home until next July.

The housing staff was equally gracious, having stayed open to accommodate me, bringing me water, more forms, two leases since I’ll be here two semesters, a check in form to fill out after I’d seen the apartment and then pointed me towards my building, including directions to the elevator which would allow me to bypass about a half a mile of steps, just kidding, about the half mile. 

The apartment is classic college fare, noting fancy and really quite comfortable.  The apartments have from 2-5 bedrooms with shared kitchen and bath, this one has three rooms, so I have two dorm mates, Leah from Highland Park, IL, and Greta from Hungary.  I am actually in the safe room, so if there is a reason to go to the shelter, I’m already there and my dorm mates will be joining me.  No pressure to keep my room clean, right?  

Two buildings over is home to the internet café, a little restaurant, a convenience store I've been warned away from by no less than 5 students so far because of their high prices, and a Laundromat.  Pretty nice set up. 

Did I mention housing hadn't exactly been told when I was coming so the girls didn't know they were getting a new mate?  Again, all worked out.  Leah took me on the grand tour of the apartment and then, we went shopping.  Yes, shopping.  No, I hadn't had enough fun for the day, so off we went.  Out the gate that will deliver me to the bus each morning, and up another hill.  Everything is uphill here I think.  About two blocks up there are several stores.  A reasonable grocery store where I am assured I can purchase whatever I need.  A little house wares store which I was steered past and a couple of other shops.  Traveling past the shops a little over half a mile mostly still up hill but then downhill the rest of the way to the light rail station.  I didn't realize we were going for a ride, neither one of us was exactly clear on what we were doing but I learned how to navigate the ticket purchase and then we were off. I think Leah knew, I of course plead jet lag.

After buying a coffee mug and towel to use as a mattress pad at an ‘only-locals-would-know-where-this-incredibly-cheap-store-is store, Leah watched me purchase my return ticket, asked, “You know where you’re going right?”  I said I thought I did and she waved goodbye.  Well, I mostly thought I knew where I was going.  Don’t tell my family but I got off one stop too soon, and found the only people in Jerusalem who didn't speak English.  So I started walking again.  I knew we hadn't passed my stop and according to the map on the train there were only two stops left on the route.  Maybe a mile, and I’m really trying not to exaggerate, mostly uphill (how DO they do that?) a turn at the station where I should have gotten off another half a mile or so and the Student Village came into sight.

Next time I'm taking the taxi.