Yes, I was in tears for about 5 hours straight.

So I'm here safe but it has been nothing but tears my first morning.

The shared taxi refused to take me to the school even though they offer door to door service for 50 shekels to everyone. They told me it was out of the way for the current van going. I asked to wait for a van going to that area/ in that direction but they pushed me onto the current van telling me I would be taken to a bus station in jerusalem where I could get a taxi to take me to the school. There was no reason for this other than it might have inconvenienced them and they thought they could get away with it by inconveniencing me instead. So fine, they didn't give me a choice even though I knew I was being cheated, how else could I get to Jerusalem but a taxi that cost 60 times more? Then, once in the van while everyone else got door to door service, the driver even refused to take me to the bus stop since he spotted a few taxis outside a hotel and told me it would make no difference if I took them from there and pulled over.

Now, I didn't know where I was and it DID make a difference because I was stranded outside some random hotel and not at a bus station where people could assist me in getting when I needed to go. He told a taxi driver where I wanted to go and took my money. I was supposed to get 20 shekels back but he pocketed it despite my protests then told the taxi driver to charge me 30. The taxi driver screamed fifty and they started fighting in hebrew until both were angrily going to leave me there as if I HAD BEEN ARGUING OVER THE PRICE. The van driver slammed his door, the taxi drver slammed his trunk and I was terrified I was going to be left in the street with my luggage. I ran after the taxi driver as the other taxi had disappeared and no one was in sight and begged him to take me, I would pay 50 shekels.

Now he told me he knew were it was but once we started driving he wasnt so sure and started asking ME the street names and how to get there. I had no idea and he got frustrated and started yelling, messing with his meter punching in prices higher than what he had agreed to. I was NOT about to be robbed for everything I had so I said no, you agreed 50 shekels to this location and you said you knew where it was. Then he started demanding american money which was worth double the price, in addition to the 50 shekels. It didnt matter that i was being aware of what he was up to. In the end he had me trapped in his taxi in a strange city, bottom line.

When i didnt have it he started swearing and getting upset with me so I was clearly frightened and upset. We somehow made it to the school gate and i got out, not caring I wasn't at the right building. He made a huge deal about beng rid of me and drove off.

Finally after a few tears I dragged my luggage and found the international building and went to register. To find I was a day early. Then the woman says I haven't paid. I owe 1700 or I cant start class. Holy Cross was supposed to have taken care of this before I had arrved, I told her so. She said she knew of no arrangement with holy cross and had gotten NOTHING. I told her it must be amistake and she said it didn't matter, she needed proof which I didnt have. She was very angry when all I had was my housing confirmation, she crumbled it in a ball and threw it away saying it told her nothing and sent me away to get a taxi to the dorms.

Now I was really panicked. Half way across the world and being told I wasn't even going to be allowed in the school. Well she agreed to let me into the dorms for tonight but if it didnt get resolved... I could pay by credit card. That was my option, no leeway or I didnt start class. So either max out my credit card or get in touch with Holy Cross and hope they have an explanation and solution ASAP.

So finally downstairs some other friendlier people calmed me down and got me a shuttle to the student villages. The driver (from the school) was so angry on my behalf about the van and taxi drivers. Everyone said it was absolutely out of hand. At the student village the people n the office also were much kinder seeing how distressed I was. I was allowed to move in and when the time zones allowed I called Holy Cross.

The bottom line is this: the money was sent the 26th and to the NEW YORK OFFICE. The associate driector made two calls and sent out emails notifying hebrew university that the money was on its way and Holy Cross was indeed responsible for my tuition and housing. This happened after the offices here closed though, so in the morning I have to face that woman again and hope it's good enough and she doesn't make me pull out my credit card. She terrifies me. She looked at me like I was so pathetic and ridiculous for coming so unprepared.

In other news, I live in an apartment on the 7th floor with three other girls who are actually from Israel and have been studying here all year. It's exam time for them now so they arent in class but are still living here. They are all around 24 years old since college starts later here dure to required two years in the army. One girl I have only seen briefly, another introduced herself and made small talk but is standoffish, and the last has been truly helpful and outgoing. I am so beyond grateful for her kndness. She showed me the internet set up which they had in place here that I can use. They also have all the kitchen supplies (cookware utensils, etc) which they are happy to share with me so i dont have to worry about that.

As nice as the ne girl is, I really would like some other american students s I can get settled in and not have to do everything on my own. The trip to the grocerey store was intimidating and overwhelming. I still need an ID and my books and to find out where to go the first day of class. Tomorrow I need to get everything done for class Wed morning. I am really hoping things get resolved or I am halfway across the world and screwed. though my dad has offered to do anything I asked of him, to put money in my account and do anything he can, but they only take credit cards and so I dont know what to ask of him. Though he has been there for me 100% since I called him on the verge of tears this morning.

I havent eaten a proper meal in almot 24 hours of had a nights sleep since saturday night so this is a rather dismal first entry. Getting off the plane I was full of wonder and happiness and had a much more fascinating first blog planned. That has been postponed as my battery is dying. Oh yeah, I got the wrong adapter so I cant charge my camera or laptop until I find a place that sells one for american plugs. Good god, but at least I HAVE INTERNET IN MY DORM THANKS TO THE GIRLS HERE!! Its a pain to set up and costs extra so it will be a HUGE relief no having to make the 15-20 minute walk everytime I want to sign on.

Well hope tomorrow I have better news.

Hopefully tomorrow everyone is satisfied enough to wait for the payment frm Holy Cross, and I can go about getting set up, you need a student ID card here because there are security gates to get in and out of the student village and campus and you have to check in with security guards showing your ID. Which i dont have.

Also managed to get to the grocerey store but things aren't even in our alphabet so I left with some yogurt apples and pretzels feeling too overwhelmed to get anything more.