To Jerusalem!

So I'm baaaaaack!

Well I'm still in the US for about 25 more hours. This shall be my night before entry. I haven't finished packing and just got back from running around and getting more essentials. Like magical socks from EMS. I do not kid, they will not let you get a blister no matter how much you walk in whatever shoes... well, I wouldn't recommend pairing them with stilettos, but you get the idea. Though to be safe I do have the matching magical shoes which are hiking sneakers (in case anyone would like to follow my new trend). But I needed more socks, because one can never have enough of those.

I also got some light weight pants since it doesn't go below 80 from what I've been seeing in the Jerusalem weather reports (which i have followed obsessively on my weather.com desktop) and it gets up to 90. So I invested in the good stuff. Well, one pair. Well, technically dad was the one investing. Bless his soul.

I also finally picked up the books I desperately needed for some critical background that i am lacking on my Judaism/ Israel and Jerusalem history. I meant to have them read by now but as some know my father was in a car accident (edit: thought I might want to add he's okay now for the most part after just throwing that bomb out) and so even the best laid plans... well, bottom line: I'm slightly behind on my reading. Actually, again, I can thank Dad for the books.

Oh, oh oh, and spiffy new addition: a camcorder! I will be your host and now we can travel Jerusalem TOGETHER. No lie. As soon as I learn how to work it. So as you can see I got a lot done today. As a result packing is only about 3/4 done.

I should be doing it but I would like to note I am much more apprehensive on this trip. I will be traveling alone, and landing in the city of Tel Aviv at 5:30 AM. It's about a 45 minute dirve to Jerusalem and there will be no one at the airport to greet me. I am planning on taking a shared van (much like our local knights limo service I'm presuming) and hoping the language barrier is at a minimum. Well, i have to address and a map of where I need to go, and a phrase book...somewhere.

I don't know a single other student going and really don't know what to expect. This program has you benig a lot more independent and I'm nervous, not that i doubt myself, but independence in a foreign country is a bit tougher than at home.

However, I'm hoping it has a more profound affect on me than Rome. I also hope you're all reading because I think this trip is going to be a very different one. Well I should probably finish packing, huh? I'm sure half of you are yelling at me as you read. Okay, I'm going, I'm going.