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

Hello,

I've been here for a whole week now. It's starting to feel like I am actually here.  : )
Blog posts will probably be less frequent from now on, but that will mean that they may be more interesting as I will be spending more time going and doing and exploring . . .

For now, I thought I would share some pictures of what I get to see every day walking to class:

The view immediately after leaving the Student Village on the way to main campus.

(Closer shot.)

(And a little closer still.)

We also walk right past the British War Cemetery; solemn yet beautiful.

 Shalom,
Noach

Hi again,

I went to the Shuk (the main market in central Jerusalem) yesterday for some more groceries. I finally found carrots, and they are huge!

גזרים ענקים (Huge carrots)  :-)

So far, I have been living on PBJs, pita and humus, fruit - good fruit - carrots, and a few stops at באגט הפעמון (Baguette Bell). I have not had a chance to explore 'real' Israeli restaurants yet - soon. Also, I now have coffee, tea, and means to make them in the dorm; so far just making coffee Turkish style.

Since, due to lack of space in the Undergraduate Ulpan, some of us (including myself) have been placed in the Summer Ulpan (which had already been going for a month when we arrived), we have some extra make-up classes. So, tomorrow will be long as I will have Ulpan from 8:30am to 2:15pm (with some breaks, but not much).

And . . . more pictures:

My school ID card.

My school gym membership card.

Shalom,
Noach

Hi again,

First Shabat in Israel was nice, kind of a lazy day around the Student Village after services.
So, time for some more pictures . . .

My room, significantly bigger than expected. : )

Gradually filling the blank walls with handmade posters. So far Psalm 119:165

. . . and John 6:29

First thing I have actually cooked here. Yes, there is cheddar in Israel!

Shalom,

Noach

Shalom,

After just 3 days, it would take a long time to describe in words all that has happened since I arrived. So, I though some pictures might be best for now.

Ben Gurion airport, Tel Aviv.

Sherut (shared van) which I took to the school.

On the way to the school.

Student Village.

Student Village dorms (I am in building 7).

Nice view from a spot on the main campus.

Entrance to the square by Jerusalem City Hall. 

(Palm trees)

The Israeli version of Taco Bell, literally "Baguette Bell." (But way better food than Taco Bell!)

First cup of Israeli "black" or "Turkish" coffee.

More to come,

Noach

Hi everyone,

This (in addition to whatever other miscellaneous social media, etc.) is where I will be posting updates from my time studying in Israel. So, feel free to come check it out whenever.

Shalom,
Noach