Kol Isha (Woman's Voice)

I'm here (the fiancee) writing on my boy's blog. I figured I'd share some for all those following. I do not have quite the words of talmudic wisdom that he has, but at least I can share our past week's adventures.

After a few hours of delay, without any actual acknowledgment, explanation or reason for the delay, I took off and landed without any difficulty. I was able to meet the boy easily, and ironically bumped into another friend's brother in the airport.

Food is not quite that different- as my first meal was pizza and have had italian food other times during the trip. (Surprise, surprise).

We've been very stereotypical tourists- visiting Ben Yehuda Street, Emek Refayim, Malha Mall, KFC, etc. I am finding that people are just as stubborn and willing to walk into you as previously, but people are still very much willing to learn where you are from and why you are visiting Israel. People are also very willing to help in most ways- pointing the direction, talking in English (or Hebrew slowly, or Hebr-ish- a combination of English and Hebrew) and just making light conversation. In fact, one day I went into a store and spent a good 30 minutes talking with the store owner since he spent a good part of his life in the same town as me. I've had fun just being in Israel during Chanukah- no true signs of Christmas anywhere, just the chanukiot in apartment windows, in shop stores, and even being lit up high in the windy sky by the Jerusalem Chabad on a fire truck (pictures to follow upon my return to the states).

Over Shabbat, I adventured with my sweetie to Eilat. Unbeknownst to my parents, we rented a car and drove through the Negev. We did not drive through the West Bank, like the bus does, if we had gone with that mode of transportation. While Eilat is beautiful, it is extremely commercial, and was not quite as much fun as my previous experiences- as in 90 degree weather upon my return from Jordan where the temperature was even higher. We relaxed along the beach, walked through the silly kiosks/stalls/stands, the mall, and just walked. We also visited the aquarium- which was a true delight. While it probably is a lot more fun for kids- it was beautiful.

I do have to say that jet lag is not an easy thing to deal with, and I am still, almost a week later, having difficulty adjusting.

It was not until we received a call from the Dean inquiring as to whether we were safe and sound that we were even made aware of the latest news in Gaza.mJust a word- nothing was really made aware here. We have felt completely safe, and have not had any issues so far. We will continue to be safe as we have been, and hope to make another trip to the Kotel, and then a last trip to Tel Aviv before my flight leaves Thursday morning.

Anyway, a belated Chag Orim Sameach, Merry Christmas, and a soon to be Happy New Year, and to all a good night (really, it's time to go to bed here).