The other day, I ran to Ben Yehuda Street, which is the Tel Aviv-like shopping street about 3 miles away from where I live. Upon finishing my run, I found a corner bakery to get a glass of water. Not even two minutes later I walked back out to the street, only to turn around and walk quickly back inside. There were several police cars and a bomb squad doing some sort of investigation in the middle of an intersection. There were several whistles, and a majority of people seemed to be walking away from the scene, so I decided that the bakery was definitely somewhere I should stay for the time being. Three minutes later, I walked back to the doorway, and the street looked as if nothing had happened. People were walking in every direction again, and all the officials and vehicles were gone. This is just one of the kinds of things I've had to get used to here. Another thing I've gotten used to is the constant bag searching. Upon entering any sort of large building, campus, my apartment village, and any sort of public event, someone is always there to search your bag. I don't think about it anymore, in fact, I would much rather be searched and feel safe, rather than receive no search at all.
Last week, I went to Jaffa Street with a friend. As we walked through the narrow streets of downtown Jerusalem, she said something magical: "Want me to show you where some thrift stores are?" She showed me a hidden alleyway, and I am forever grateful. Next time I have a bad day, you will know where to find me. We walked in the first thrift store (the first in a row of them), and "לאורך הים" ("Along the Sea", one of my favorite Ofra Haza songs!) was playing on the store radio. I never thought I could feel so at home on the other side of the earth!!
For the past three saturdays in a row, I have cooked Chicken Tikka Masala with my friend from Michigan State (Chris) and his roommate. It's turning into a bit of a great tradition, as well as an obsession with Indian food! Last Saturday, we realized we hadn't gone grocery shopping in time and we were missing many key ingredients for the dish. Friday and Saturdays can be challenging here if you don't think ahead, because literally everything is closed. That is, everything except the arab markets! We decided to venture to the old city to buy ingredients. We brought his roommate Adeeb, because he told us that he would prevent us from being over charged. It worked! Since the light rail doesn't run on Shabbat, Adeeb brought us on the arab bus to get to the old city. Despite some odd looks from other passengers, and the fact that my family might not appreciate my choice to get on a bus in the Middle East, it was a great experience! I felt safer on that bus, than I do on the light rail train. Also, I was with Adeeb, who is incredibly intimidating looking. The bus took us around the winding neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, to most of which I am not 'supposed' to go. It was literally a different world, yet they are the neighborhoods that surround Hebrew University. I am hoping I find a way to spend some time in these neighborhoods, because they are a key part of this city, and it's amazing the contrast between these neighborhoods, and the surrounding neighborhoods (Including Mea Shearim-the ultra orthodox neighborhood that is always in the news for things like spitting on children). I feel like I live at the junction of the East and the West, which is incredibly fascinating!
Here are some recent photos!!
The Western Wall, with the Dome of the Rock behind it.
The Western Wall. Notice how much smaller the women's
side (on the right) is compared to the men's.
I make shakshouka multiple times every week. Mmmmmm!
Intimidating looking building that I went to for an internship interview.
(I got the internship! I'll be teaching English to Ethiopian children in a school starting this week!)
Various animal parts for sale in the old city.
Ethiopian Churches in the Old City.
View of Jerusalem while walking along the wall of the Old City!
Had a wonderful dinner with Adi!
So, this woman was fishing in the sewer, and she was singing an
aria from La Boheme while doing so (Just to complete the picture).
Yeah, it snowed in Jerusalem.
This is the view from the front of my local supermarket!
In the foreground of the photo, you can see East Jerusalem. You can see all the
way to Jordan in this photo because it was such a clear day!
