baby, that burns.

I'm staring out at Yerushalayim and I can see almost the entire city, it really is the City of Gold. This city, this country...I'm truly mesmerized. I've been noticing lately that I feel somehow handicapped here. It's not the language, I can maneuver my way with basic conversation, it's more the culture, the way the city is laid out and the fact that I feel very detached from everything. Two examples are most striking: I once again took the bus down to the center of town, Mirkaz HaEer, and passed through a number of neighborhoods. But the streets here curve this way and that way, they merge and re-emerge, they twist and turn. This isn't a planned/grid city like those I've been used to (Scranton, NYC, Binghamton) but rather it's a city that is constantly building upon itself. Every few years there's a new neighborhood springing up on yet another one of this citys numerous hills. And the thing is, each neighborhood really is distinct. They all have their own identities, histories and personalities that they are almost like their own towns. Of course, there are similarities between the communities, but still, they remain separate. HaHevdelim haim lo kol kach katanim. The differences aren't that small. The second example happened just last night. While making dinner I poured a pot of boiling water all over my foot. Before continuing let me just say that I'm fine, but at the time I got a bit nervous. Of course I rushed myself to the bathroom and thrust my leg into the shower, welcoming the cool rush of water. Nervous, I called one of the Madrichim and asked if there was anything more I should do. I had done all I could-and should- and lacking Aloe the next step would simply be to keep it in open air. Looking back at the situation I feel ridiculous. If I was back in the States I wouldn't have thought twice about what to do. Thrust the burn in cold water, let it dry, add neosporin and aloe as necessary and if I were to notice any problems go see a doctor. But here even something as simple as going to the emergency room would be hassle. In the states I could call a friend to drive their car, drive my own, call an ambulance. Here not only do I not only have my own car, nor do any of my friends, but I don't even know the 911 equivalent. Well, now I do (101, for all you folks planning on making a trip here), but its just the fact that I feel very exposed, very...out of control.
Other then that everything is really going well. This past weekend wasn't what I would have wanted it to be, but I'm just going to write it off as a learning experience. Thousand watt smiles everybody! I did actually bump into an old friend on Friday night and Sunday met up with Janet, a very dear family friend who had brought my contact lenses from the US. Oh, and I also went back to the Souk and got fruit and vegetables. Which, by the way, would have easily cost me nearly $20 american, but cost not even half that here. I know, "WOW" is right. I still have to work on figuring out where to buy dairy and meat as well as how to cook it all (need to buy at the very least one more pot and frying fan). Monday night I attended a Salsa class and though I'm so obviously a small town white boy (no hips) I do plan on returning next week. I also had the pleasure to attend a roundtable discussion of former US-Israel and Israel-US ambassadors and listen to them discuss the Israel-US relationship. Very cool! I'm also doing a bit better in Hebrew, but its still a lot of work.
Nehiyeh B'Kesher-We'll be in touch.