Hebrew with a Southern Drawl

I don't consider myself to have a strong country accent because I grew up with people who have thick Southern drawls. But here I sound like Hilly Billy Sue! My Israeli roommates just stare in awe when I speak and my friends from around the US love to hear me speak. But speaking Hebrew with my accent is so hard. Well Hebrew is hard to start with!

I started Ulpan yesterday which is an intensive Hebrew study for 4 weeks. My teacher does not speak any English in class, because it is an international school. Students are from all over the world attend, so English would not be useful to most. Most students at Rothberg went to Hebrew School (Kinda like Jewish Sunday School where they learn Hebrew) so I am the most inexperienced at the language. Actually I knew nothing. Hebrew is made up of scribbles, dots and lines. It is written with no vowels, although spoken with vowels (very complicated). I had no idea what was going on the first 3 hours of Ulpan. When my teacher handed out worksheets I started filling mine in upside down, I did not even know which way to start. Hebrew is written right to left. Notebooks are made with the spiral on the other side as in the US. I thought this was so funny but no one else seemed to think it was a big deal. Each letter has two symbols, script and block. It is so hard and with my Southern accent makes things a little difficult. I hope I can master a little Hebrew by the time I leave but it is going to be so hard. 

Jerusalem really is a golden city. I live on the 9th floor and have a beautiful view of the city. My campus is located in East Jerusalem all around us is disputed land. Some Arab some Jewish settlements. I can see the West Bank from my classroom window only about a mile away. Israel has put up huge walls around the West Bank Arab settlements. It really is so different than the US. Since I live near an Arab neighborhood, I was awoken the past 2 days by the Muslim prayer call at 5am not something I was expecting living in a Jewish state. 

Everywhere you go you see Israeli security holding M-16's securing every place. It is a little weird getting used to but actually makes me feel safer. It is so weird how close everything is together. Arab and Jewish settlements are on top of each other. You hear about the issues in the news but you don't really understand how close everything is until you see Israel. 

Israel is so unique it is different than anywhere else I have ever traveled. It is hard to explain an ancient  city with so many distinct cultures so close together. But not just distinct cultures but threatened. Both the Jewish and Arabs feel threatened and they both are. Between the guns being carried and the huge fences you can see this is not a friendly place. Yet you don't feel hostility coming from people. Between each other or to me a blonde American just trying to find my way around. 

After my second day of Ulpan (which I still have no clue what is going on) My new friends and I headed for the old city. AMAZING! It is 5,000 years old and people still work and live within the walls. It is mesmerizing walking the streets. We wondered through the Arab and Jewish sections. We arrived at the Wailing Wall and my breath was taken away. I get it now. I get why people fight over this amazing place. I'm not even Jewish and I was moved by the atmosphere around. A group of new soldiers who just finished training were taking the oath of allegiance in front of the Wailing Wall. I stood beside a proud momma of her son being sworn in today! It was such an amazing experience and only my 3rd day here! After placing a prayer in the wall and seeing all the young men and women honor their country and heritage, it really was an overwhelming emotional experience. 

After walking all over the Old City we headed to the Soku (outdoor market) to do some grocery shopping. The vegetables and fruit are HUGE! I bought 2 pomegranates for 6 shekels equaling about $2 in America. Anything not imported is really cheap but imported stuff like cereal (about $8 for one box) is very expensive! Since Israel doesn't trade with their neighbors imported goods are very high. I also bought a heater for my room! No heat in this freezing cold stone building was killing me, but I am so excited to sleep in the warmth. The Soku was so fun! An elder Israeli man bought me some olives to try, while I tried to heckle down my eggs. The blonde hair really gave me away in the market but at least I got free olives! 

In 3 days I have learned and experienced so much. I've learned about Jewish, Israeli and Arab culture! It is an unbelievable experience!

xoxo

Katy Ann