Dinner last night in Rehovot followed by drinks at an irish pub across the street. We had a bit of a problem since some of our group had purchased drinks elsewhere and were drinking in front of the pub. The bouncer didn't want to let them in, so I went to mediate.
They explained that is considered rude in Israel and not customary to drink in front of a pub drinks from elsewhere, and then to come in and listen to the music for free. They also said they don't like it because they don't know how much someone has drunk. I agreed that it may appear rude, but let them know that there were seven people already inside that were planning to put in their drink order momentarily and, we would have to find another place if we couldn't all be together. Is losing that much business an option for them. There was a quick word to the bouncer after I made that clear, and in they came.
Back in Ramla, I went to sleep relatively early. I had found out some exciting news both for my summer and family - during dinner, but with nowhere to celebrate, I figured sleep would be a good alternative.
This morning I was at Ulpan on time. No one else was. Then two more showed up, Jeff and Annie. A couple more showed up towards the end of the lesson. I don't see the point of them even coming.
I stayed for part of the second Ulpan, where there was a party to celebrate the last lesson. Endings are beginnings of new things, or so the poem went that Michal read to us, in Ivrit. I had to leave before the actual lesson started so I could get the Sherut Monit to Tel Aviv for the BFL Shabbaton. I arrived at the station, where I realized I had to continue to another station. It took some haggling, but I got the cab from 50 to 30 shekelim and made it clear that I had to be dropped off first (I usually don't mind as much, but the bus was leaving). I found Aviva, and got on the bus.
Surprise! There was Shaina, sitting across from me. We had meant to grab coffee this week at some point, she had joined our taglit trip with Yael Adventures that I staffed briefly since her friend was on it as a participant. We caught up for a few minutes, and then sat for the rest of the bus. In Jerusalem, we picked up more people. I ended up knowing some of them as well from the Jerusalem trip and the GOlan heights. Lots of familiar faces though no one I know well so far.
We arrived, dropped off our stuff, met our roommates (I have 4 for the weekend) and went up to the conference room. The Judea Hostel, where we are staying is lovely, with jerusalem stone overlooking a mountain which separates us from the Old City. I sit down, and start talking with the woman next to me. Her name is jogging my memory, but I can't recall why. We keep talking, and I ask about her program. Suddenly, I have an urge to ask if she knows Louis, my friend from Swarthmore.
She does!
Louis had been trying to put us in touch as he had some ideas for staying a bit longer or coming back to Israel at some point, and she was one of the people he knew here. It's a small world, and what a coincidence that we sat next to each other.
The seminars have been interesting, well organized and well run. The people are also interesting, lots of strong personalities make good debate - although on many matters, people see things pretty similar. There are a couple as well who just enjoy hearing themselves speak, not adding to the conversation, but wanting to sort of mark their presence or territory. I decided to mostly observe today, listening and learning, only commenting when I felt like what I had to say could have a large impact or when asking for clarifications on things. I think it is better not to dilute your speech in a large setting, when you make people sift through all the anecdotes to find the meaning, it becomes to much work and the message is lost.
I am looking forward to tomorrow. There was originally a drive to go out this evening - but as things dragged on, we all lost interest. Hopefully I can get internet in the morning so that I can put up this post.
Laila Tov!
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