Life is crazy here in the holy land.  I feel like I'm walking around in one giant contradication.  In one sense its beautiful to be in a JewiSH HOMELAND AND FEEL THE LOVE AROUND YOU.  bUT TEL AIV FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN SOOO AMERICANIZED.. It's like America
Israel is full of some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.  But I still really hurt.  I really miss Amy and my hearts feels A little dead inside.  I'm so afraid this time apart is going to give her an opportunity to escape my life.  Please wait for me cooker.........  I'm going a little crazy with the weather, and the people, and the loneliness ,but I miss my best friend.  Ani Ohave ve Ay-Meee.  I wANT THE STORY BOOK, MI AMOR.   HAPPY PURIM!!!!

My last few days in Israel have been really amazing.  I moved into my apartment in Tel Aviv and my roomates all seem really chill.  Yesterday we got some free time and I got to explore the city for the first time on my own.  I walked down to the beach and all along the coast to the old city of Jaffa.  The is a really unique place with shops and really old architecture.  I've gotten to make some really amazing meals for my friends.  I'm developing a reputation for being a good chef. 

Today we drove to the Judean desert and went on a long hike through the mountains.  The hike ended up at a really chill waterfall.   Then we went to the dead sea for a swim.  Tomorrow were going to Jerusalem for Shabbat.  It should be an amazing spiritual experience.

I reallyyyyyy miss Amy alot.  It's been really hard to stay positive because I miss her so much.  Even after my first week I think the issue of religion in our relationship is a non issue.  She's the love of my life and I pray every day that she's happy.  Her Skype is not working so we havent been able to talk to her yet since I left.  Its been really tough.  Tomorrow the israel phone rep is coming to our apartment and I can figure out how to make international calls to the US.  I am dieing to speak with her.  

I love you cook ;)

The next five or so months in Israel are going to be an intense time of spiritual growth for me.  I'm really torn about what I have to leave behind.  Amy and I have never been better and she makes me feel a way inside that I didn't know was possible.  Not to sound corny but she really does complete me.  Being away from her for so long is going to be a real test of our commitment to each other.  I want her to know that I think we can make it through this thing and become closer than ever.  The fact that she's coming to visit during my trip will make the time away a little more bearable.  She is my soul mate. 

My trip has started off pretty interesting.  I arrived at Ben Gurion airport, after a 10 hour flight and a 2 hour layover in London.  I was soooo tired but with no one picking me up from the airport and no telephone I had to be awake.  Luckily all my luggage arrive in one piece which was nice.  After spending a few minutes trying to figure out the train, I opted to take a taxi.  I had the address of a kid in my program named Adam, who lived in Hod Hasharon.  Hod Hasharon is about 30 minutes away from the airport by car.  Once I got to his house I was warmly greeted by his family.  His mom made us an awesome dinner of pita, hummus, olives, and meatballs.  After being on the airplane all day I was starving.  Next Adam showed me around town.  Hod Hasharon is an interesting city.  There is a lot of fruit farms near by but the city center was full of cafes and shops.  We ordered two beers at one cafe and talked about the upcoming trip.  I don't know him that well but he seems like a pretty nice guy.  After that we went home and watched a movie.

The next morning I woke early.  Adam told me the night before that his sister was hosting a sleepover at the house that day.  I felt like with a swarm of 13 year old girls running around, my presence would be imposing on his family.  I headed off to Netanya to meet my Israeli friend Dana.  It was pouring during my walk to the bus stop.  People kept telling me that Israel was in the middle of a drought, but all the same I wasn't thrilled about the rain.  The bus ride from Hod Hasharon to Netanya took about 25 minutes and cost 14 shekels.  Because of the rain there wasn't much to do.  Dana took me to this awesome falafal shop and then we spent all afternoon playing "Rock Band" at her apartment.  Next we went to visit one of Rachels cousins named Shulamit.  They were nice old people and were gracious in offering me a place to stay whenever I came back.  After that we went to Dana's parents house to celebrate shabbat.  It is kind of awkward eating a meal surrounded by complete strangers screaming a foreign language across the table.  Still they were quick to switch back and forth to English for my benefit.  Her mom even invited me for Pesach in a few weeks.  It would be really nice to have a place to go for passover.  After dinner we went back to Dana's place, had a beer, and went to bed.  Tomorrow looks like more rain.  I hope the weather brightens up.

Leila Tov  :)

 1-2-3