I'm here at Haifa University! After I got back from Greece, I visited the kibbutz for a night, and on Thursday, Anita and I took a cab to the University with my huge amount of luggage. My apartment is really nice, it has a big, spacious kitchen, which is actually really dirty because Israelis have been living there all summer. There's a fridge, sink, cabinets, and hot plate, but no oven! I'm going to have to try to score a toaster oven somewhere. My room is really nice, and I have my own bathroom! It's a better set-up than even senior housing at Vassar. None of my Israeli suitemates are here yet, because Israelis don't start class until Oct 20.
The people on my program seem really great. They're from all over the US and Canada, and I've met people from England, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, India...
Yesterday we took a tour of campus, which seems pretty straightforward, although I still don't know my way around very well. Yesterday evening was shabbat, and a few of us had a small, Orthodox-style service in the little beit-kinesset (synagogue) that's in the dorm. Afterward, we had a big shabbat dinner, which was nice, because I've been trying to cook for myself in my little apartment, with my awful cooking skills and limited appliances and food.
Today we took a tour of the Bahia Gardens in Haifa, which are really beautiful. The Bahai are a relatively new religion that took root in the late 19th century. They're a small religion, and very peaceful. Their world center is here in Haifa, and there are these gorgeous gardens there.
Then we went to the Wadi, the Arab section in Haifa. For lunch I had a laffa pita (big, thin pita) with zatar (a very good spice), and a taste of a falafel at the best falafel shop in Haifa. We stopped by the shuk to buy some produce for our empty kitchens.
Class starts on Monday! I think I'll be taking Hebrew, two linguistic courses, and Introduction to Rabbinic Literature.
Stay tuned for pictures in the near future...
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3 comments:
Mazel tov to the student! It sounds like a great dorm and wonderful group of international students. I'm so excited your cooking skills will improve too.
Looking forward to the pix, and to hearing you're in possession of your power adapter. Dad and I start our fall hiking class tomorrow, leading it. The weather is a bit chilly, 60's, but sunny -- perfect for hiking. You will soon get some rain!
Love you,
Mama
Yo Limbo-
its your sister here, in ny, freezing my you know what off because the rents are too cheap for some HEAT.
Is Anita also going to Chaifa u?
remember when we were talking yesterday on the cellular and I was like "k we're probably going to lose service soon" and then we did?
yes well. I miss you !!
I love reading about your adventures. Soon I will be walking around Israel with you. Don't denigrate your cooking skills, your fellow Vassar Bayit members and I love them.
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