Casual update
Today was certainly no casual day, because this afternoon was our first print deadline for lecture handouts etc. We were busy ALL day. The Year 1 instructors did an excellent job. I think they completed two weeks of lecture material and lots of lab prep.
Didn't get out today (except to take the garbage down the block). So I'll talk about some other stuff I've noticed since I've arrived.
Israel definitely has a strong European quality to it. Walking around the residential areas actually make me think of a mix of West Africa and Europe. The apartments and stores remind me of Europe, but nearly all the homes are walled in with a metal gate, reminding me of Africa. Instead of dogs, goats, or chickens, there are lots of stray cats. I'll take cats over stray dogs or rats any day.
Shopping seems very European, but I have no chance of figuring out a single word of Hebrew. Most locals speak decent English, but I've encountered store clerks who don't. Hebrew is so unrelated to any languages I have experience in. And with the very different character set I definitely feel in another world. I'm working on the written words, "push" and "pull," right now. Those were helpful in Germany. I think they'll serve me well on campus this summer.
There are some strong differences here even among the stereotypical group breakdowns. Among the Jewish, they range from ultra-orthodox to completely secular. And similar with Muslims and Christians. It's only these three religions that have a large presence here. We've heard much about the bustling city of Tel Aviv in stark contrast to normally quiet Jerusalem. With Tel Aviv so close, the bar/club/hippy scene simply doesn't bother much here. The country is so small; everywhere is within a few hours and most inhabitants are less than an hour away. So the young people tend to use Tel Aviv as their night spot.
A small group went out tonight. Thursday is Friday, you know. Most of us took it easy tonight though, hoping for the chance to catch up on some sleep. Besides, we are spending one of our free weekends Tel Aviv next month, so we'll get a chance to see it. Trips on the agenda include Eliat by the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv & the Mediterranean, jeep rentals in the desert, and of course continued Jerusalem exploration. I forget the rest.
We got word today that all our students from across the line received their permits to enter Jerusalem this summer. And these were granted after this most recent Gaza flare up. So it looks like all the planned students will be able to attend this year. Many of them will be going through checkpoints every day to get to class. It's our job to make it worth they're while, and we are way ready for that.
Tomorrow is a work day, Saturday is some normal touristy stuff, and Sunday we meet our students!
Didn't get out today (except to take the garbage down the block). So I'll talk about some other stuff I've noticed since I've arrived.
Israel definitely has a strong European quality to it. Walking around the residential areas actually make me think of a mix of West Africa and Europe. The apartments and stores remind me of Europe, but nearly all the homes are walled in with a metal gate, reminding me of Africa. Instead of dogs, goats, or chickens, there are lots of stray cats. I'll take cats over stray dogs or rats any day.
Shopping seems very European, but I have no chance of figuring out a single word of Hebrew. Most locals speak decent English, but I've encountered store clerks who don't. Hebrew is so unrelated to any languages I have experience in. And with the very different character set I definitely feel in another world. I'm working on the written words, "push" and "pull," right now. Those were helpful in Germany. I think they'll serve me well on campus this summer.
There are some strong differences here even among the stereotypical group breakdowns. Among the Jewish, they range from ultra-orthodox to completely secular. And similar with Muslims and Christians. It's only these three religions that have a large presence here. We've heard much about the bustling city of Tel Aviv in stark contrast to normally quiet Jerusalem. With Tel Aviv so close, the bar/club/hippy scene simply doesn't bother much here. The country is so small; everywhere is within a few hours and most inhabitants are less than an hour away. So the young people tend to use Tel Aviv as their night spot.
A small group went out tonight. Thursday is Friday, you know. Most of us took it easy tonight though, hoping for the chance to catch up on some sleep. Besides, we are spending one of our free weekends Tel Aviv next month, so we'll get a chance to see it. Trips on the agenda include Eliat by the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv & the Mediterranean, jeep rentals in the desert, and of course continued Jerusalem exploration. I forget the rest.
We got word today that all our students from across the line received their permits to enter Jerusalem this summer. And these were granted after this most recent Gaza flare up. So it looks like all the planned students will be able to attend this year. Many of them will be going through checkpoints every day to get to class. It's our job to make it worth they're while, and we are way ready for that.
Tomorrow is a work day, Saturday is some normal touristy stuff, and Sunday we meet our students!
posted by Paul O. at 22:26
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