Jerusalem - Week 2
I'm continuing to settle in at my new home. I've had the pleasure of hosting some friends for a few nights at my apartment. It's certainly not luxurious hospitality, but it's cozy.
Some highlights from the past week...
1) I received a phone call from a religious cousin of mine who lives in Jerusalem. I think he's my age or maybe a little younger. He told me that he had good news, but he made me guess what it was.
I knew that he had been dating for a few weeks so I assumed that this was "an engagement" phone call, but I wasn't positive, so I didn't want to guess. For some reason, he simply wouldn't tell me (I don't really know why this was) so I sheepishly asked "are you getting married"?Luckily I was correct, and he invited me to an engagement party for that night.
(Besides the guessing game, the phone call was a bit difficult for me because the ring woke me up at 8 in the morning).
The party was pretty far away in a newish area of Jerusalem. Not the easiest place to find. A fun time was had by all (well, I can actually only vouch for the men, because I couldn't see the women, but it sounded like they were having fun...).
My cousin is the one to the right of the guy standing up.
2) I donated blood.
I've given blood many times in Canada but this was a very different experience. First of all, not suprisingly, the information form was in Hebrew. Luckily, they had a translation page to go along with it (I didn't need it for the most part, but I had trouble understanding "Yellow Jaundice" in Hebrew). Also, they definitely didn't have private booths where you are asked questions about your medical and sexual history. Everyone sort of sits in a row at one long desk and people shout questions at you. I must say, the lack of privacy was made up for in excellent efficiency. It was much quicker than what I was used to back home (it's especially bad in Quebec).
The most obvious difference between giving blood in Israel and in Canada was the motivation that I had to give. In Canada, I know that my blood will be put to good use but I don't really think about who I might be helping.
Here, things are a little bit different. With Katyushas raining down on the North people are being encouraged to give blood to help the victims.
As I gave, I could see the news on TV. 2 new direct hits on Haifa. Many injuries.
I was happy when the nurse told me that they take more blood in Israel than in North America.
3) There was a fire outside of my ulpan.
Yesterday morning, we were sitting in our class and started to smell smoke.
Nobody really thought much about it until the teacher said "I think I hear fire".
Somebody went outside to see what was going on and found that the field outside of our ulpan was on fire. They ran back inside and everyone ran out pretty quickly.
It was somewhat crazy.
The field had very high dry grass and somehow it caught fire and spread quickly. Some trees also went up in flames.
I've definitely never seen anything like it. Luckily, the fire department (along with a heroic gardener) were able to contain the fire pretty quickly (I'd guess within an hour).
As we waited across the street, somebody told me that they had seen a little fire in the field a half hour earlier and had called the fire dept. but was told not to worry about it.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt and no buildings were damaged.
In typical Israeli fashion, classes resumed while the fire was still being put out.
The building was smoky, but Hebrew classes must go on!
That's all I've got for now.
Danny, a guest at the apartment.
The matzav (situation) in the North continues...
May we find peace soon.
posted by Chaim @ 3:40 PM
0 comments
