Hello again,

No more pictures yet, and nothing super interesting in particular as I am sick and in the second round of attempting to force myself to take it easy.  ; )

But, here are some miscellaneous thoughts on things I am really liking about being here, etc.

- Ulpan is the coolest class ever, if for no other reason besides the incredible diversity of students just in my particular class. There are students in their teens to students in their forties, from France, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, England, Poland, Russia, Argentina, Peru, Korea, Jordan, several of the United States, and probably some other places of which I am yet unaware. Also, both of the teachers (each class has two teachers since there is so much to do) are really great. It was also very neat that we were wished "Shabat shalom" by the teachers at the end of last week, rather than something one would normally hear in the US like "have a good weekend."

- It is also nice (though difficult when it comes to transportation) that everything here really does revolve around Shabat actually being observed in very real practical ways.

- I love the fact that all the יציאה (exit) signs in Israel are green. They seem to say "Yes, feel free to leave through this exit if you'd like" rather than a red "Exit if you dare!" : )

- It has been great to get really good produce fairly cheap here. I have been enjoying lots of great fruit!

- Speaking of food, the meals on ELAL flights come with actual "Certificates of Kashrut" (in Hebrew and English). Oh, I do actually have pictures of one of those:

- I realized that I inadvertently gave this blog an apropos (and perhaps a bit prophetic) title. "Noach in Jerusalem," if one were to read my name as its Modern Hebrew homonym/homophone, would mean "Comfortable in Jerusalem."

- Going to the Kehilah on Shabat has been great. Both times so far I have felt absolutely in the right place, more than anywhere besides home. It's a great group of people and exciting things are happening there.

Shalom,

Noach