This week has been full of everyone studying for Midterms. Luckily UNC counts all my credits as pass/fail so I only have to pass my classes to get full credit. Plus the classes here are much easier than UNC. But everyone else it not so lucky some of my friends have been stressing and I have been enjoying the nice weather.
Yesterday Jacki and I took the train to the Shuk to buy food for the next few days. Mid-ride the train stopped and announced there would be a delay before continuing. A few minutes later we were evacuated from the bus because of a "suspicious package" that Israeli security treats as a bomb threat. I was so annoyed that not only did I not get my grocery shopping finished for the week but I had to walk back 45 minutes to my apartment. As I was complaining to Jacki we both decided we should be thankful that we are not on a train that could be very dangerous. Plus the walk was nice even through my bitterness. Only in Israel would this be a daily occurrence. Israel is very good at keeping their citizens safe.
Sunday night I went out with my friends to an Ethiopian restaurant. Lots of Ethiopian Jews live in Israel and so the food was very authentic. We ate the meal with our hands and it was fine but nothing amazing. After dinner Jacki and I were walking back and stopped at the most American bar in town. We ordered french fries and chicken fingers. We were cultured out. After being here for 2 months I miss BBQ and American pizza. 2 things not found in Israel. Although Israeli food is great, sometimes you just need a little America.
This week in class we discussed the problems posed by Palestinian refugees. The conversation had support from both sides of the argument. At the end of the discussion my professor said, "Wouldn't it be nice if the leaders could just have a conversation like this." Although we did not come close to a solution, just talking to each other helped us see the other's side. In one of the last negations between the PLO and Israel in September the leaders who were negotiating refused to even meet in the same room. Each leader was on a separate floor of the hotel and a messenger would go back and forth to relay the information. The absolute most ridiculous thing I have ever heard from both sides. At least sit in the same room as each other!
Three days ago a tragedy occurred in France when 3 children and a Rabbi were shot in a school shooting. The bodies were brought home to Jerusalem to be buried in the Jewish homeland. The entire city of Jerusalem mourned this horrific tragedy and hearts were heavy.
Marissa, Jacki and I went into town to do homework, which ended up us finding the cutest coffee/book store in the world and spent the afternoon laughing and talking. We even made friends with the owner and met his adorable 4-year-old daughter who told us she was a princess. It is a perfect day in the Jerusalem sun! Spring has finally arrived! All the rain we suffered through has paid off because now everything is covered in lush greens and beautiful blooming flowers. I live in a beautiful city!
xoxo,
Katy Ann
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