Well, this past sunday, I finally started my program. We started in Jerusalem, so I took the bus there sunday evening. We stayed in Jerusalem for 4 days in a really nice hostel. The first week was just gtting to know each other, orientation about the program, tours around Jerusalem, and then one day in Tel Aviv about Jewish identity. So far, the program has been going really well. Its a very small group, only 12 participants, and it is a very international group. There are 5 americans, including me, 3 french girls, 3 russians, and 1 british guy. To say [View Full Entry]

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So, sorry I haven't written in a few days, but not much has been going on. Except for the last couple days. This week's theme has been distant family. So on Saturday night, we had a bunch of my cousins over for dinner. These were cousins I had never met before, who are all very religious. They were nice, and everyone said I looked like my dad or my grandma. Before I continue, let me explain how I am related to my family here. All my cousins in Israel are 3rd cousins. That is, their great grandmother, and my great grandmother [View Full Entry]

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Well, I have moved out of my friend's apartment, and back to my cousins house for the next 2 weeks. Its nice to be back at my cousins, but honestly, I do miss the independence of being in the apartment, and the apartment itself. Escpecially the balcony! sitting out on the 6th floor balcony every night with a beautiful view of the city doesn't compare to sitting in the computer room in my cousins basement (which happens to be the bomb shelter). Oh well, from one place to another, as I am a traveling vagabond, haha. kinda. So, the last few [View Full Entry]

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I have been spending lots of time in and around Tel Aviv this last week or so. As I mentioned, I've been staying at my friends apartment. I was also at my cousins house for a couple days in between. But I've been going all around the city, to the different neighborhoods, and really enjoying it. Tel Aviv is a great city on its way to being one of the best cities in the world (in my opinion). Its like a mini NY, and it definately is a city that never sleeps. Even during the week, in the middle of the [View Full Entry]

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WAR, what is it good for, absolutely nothing, sing it again! Its times like this that my brain overloads on the scary reality of our world and goes into "Boy Meets World" mode, that happy little disney fantasy show that i love so much. And i hear Corey and Tapanga singing that song about war.... yes i'm crazy, but only in a good way! (forgive me if u don't know which show or episode I'm talking about). I could launch into several political rages right now, but I'm not going to I promise. Tonight has been scary and frustrating while watching [View Full Entry]

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Hi all, I'm writing from my friend's apartment in Ramat Gan (another neighborhood of Tel Aviv). It is closer to the main city of Tel Aviv than where my cousins house was, but still not in the city. But ramat gan is a city of its own. I moved in thursday night. The apartment is really nice and is in a great location. There is food and shopping and restaurants and coffee shops all within walking distance. I also have a nice balcony from his 6th floor apartment where i can see most of the city, and I like to sit [View Full Entry]

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I FINALLY saw Pirates of the Carribean 2!!! I know most of you probably saw it right when it came out like 3 weeks ago, but I am in a different country, and getting to the movies has been a challenge. More so because I kept waiting to find someone to go with me, and my cousins kept saying they would go tomorrow, but we would never go. But finally, we went! And also, I was totally extra hyped to see this movie because of going to the Premiere of the movie while I was in London. So, I took my [View Full Entry]

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Hey Kids. well, yup, I'm still here in Israel. The past few days have been very relaxing. I've spent a lot of time at the beach, and just walking around town. On Sunday, we had some excitement at my cousin's house. Their adorable dog kaya was playing outside, and someone left the gate open, so she was outside. A guy with a huge labrodor (or however u spell it) came walking by, and the dog scared the shit out of kaya who started screaming and then bolted down the street so fast and off somewhere. the guy who's big dog scared [View Full Entry]

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hey folks, i'm finally getting a chance to write what i did in jerusalem. my cousin's computer is finally fixed. so thisi s a post dated entry. hehe. jerusalem is an amazing city with an ancient past that we can't really comprehend. the city is ancient ruins built on top of older ancient ruins, modern buildings built on top of that. it is a beautiful mountain area, the sunsets are beautiful and the night time air is perfect. there is a very special feeling to the city, with all the religions and past looming on the surface, and it is evident [View Full Entry]

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i'm in jerusalem!! i got here on sunday night, and its now wednesday. it feels so good to be back in the city. i've been mostly hanging out with friends and wandering my favorite parts of the city. im in an internet cafe right now, so i do'nt really have time to write as much as i'd like, but i just wanted to give a little update. jerusalem is a beautiful and ancient city. its really amazing, and hard to describe, except that you should see it for yourself. someday. things in israel are still pretty tense, but jerusalem is pretty [View Full Entry]

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