Jerusalem

I never know how to start these things. Maybe "dear diary" ? Or, "to whom it may concern" ? And who does this concern anyway??

Well, I'm back from a very interesting weekend in Jerusalem. I left the kibbutz on thursday afternoon and got my little toosh on a bus from be'er sheva to tachanat merkazit (central bus station) in Yerushalayim. The bus ride was actually incredibly interesting. Thursday afternoon is when all the soldiers get to go home for Shabbat so getting on a bus is a freaking shit show. I'll explain it like someone throwing $10 and everyone going nuts to get it.

Luckily, my charm and good looks scored me a seat on the bus. Others weren't so lucky- they had to sit in the aisles (Israel really doesn't care about safety hazards). So a lot of soldiers were sitting in the aisle and I felt really guilty because HELLOOO KAVOD! (respect). I asked (a not ugly looking) soldier next to me on the floor if he wanted my seat, cause in NY if you see a soldier you get the hell up!

Anyway, he said no, but we got to talking and it turned out that he had been living in gush katif (a Jewish settlement in Gaza) and was evacuated in the 2005 evacuation of gaza operation. It was so interesting to meet someone who was really directly impacted by that government decision. 

I got to Jerusalem which looked exactly as I left it. I reached the dorms of Hebrew U where I got to see a lot a LOT of friends: Michelle Cimbol, Talya Frankel, Sam Perelgut, Liz Traison, Noa Orzy etc. (shout out to everyoneee xoxox) <-- I do love them, but thats me making fun of the jap vernacular

The weekend was lots of fun, just a whole bunch of parties and laughing and silliness. I'm so happy I finally got to spend a really nice and observant Shabbat. The reason I went to Jerusalem was for my friend Michael Chaikoff's brother's bar mitzvah, which was at the Inbal Hotel near Yemin Moshe and it was sooo beautiful. They had me for Friday night (5 course) dinner and I got to sit next to Ellen (mama Chaikoff) who is absolutely the best ever. 

Saturday morning we went to shul in Yemin Moshe, and then sweat our asses off as we walked back to Talya's sisters apartment. I also got to see my Rabbi's wife Shevy, who I'm in love with, and my friend Esther. We met them at their friends GORGEOUS penthouse apartment in Jerusalem.

Anyway, back to the desert wishing it was okay to walk around naked (its so hot)

<3 (thats a heart)