It's been one week since you looked at me...

Shaloooooom!!!!

Everyone here has the chance to be set up with a host family to spend Shabbat and other holidays with, so on Friday almost everyone heard from their host families, and while some people had horrendous experiences, Julian (one of my roommates) and I lucked out with ours. We got a phone call Thursday asking if we wanted to go to somewhere we couldn't quite understand because of the thick Israeli accent the man spoke in, so we got ready for what we thought was an overnight camping/hiking trip. All we were told was to bring a sleeping bag (which neither one of us had) and shoes. Our host family (consisting of a dad and his 13 year old son who both spoke really good english and were really nice and welcoming) picked us up for a few hours drive to Lake Kinneret in the north of Israel where we camped with some of their friends and a fairly crowded campsite where there was a water park and the lake. It was really hot but not humid, so I felt like home sweet Calabasas home. Unfortunately, the water we were swimming in was warm, therefore not pleasant at all...And since we didn't get the memo on bringing bathing suits and towels, I had to swim in my clothes and then sit while they dried and then sleep in them... Needless to say, when we returned to Ashdod our roommates were not happy with how bad we smelled.
I really enjoyed just hanging out and playing cards (fun crazy Canadian version of crazy 8's and we decided next time we'll play in Hebrew) and relaxing with some fun Israelis. Since all Israelis are very knowledgeable about their country, we got a good tour and history on our drive. We saw where Jesus was baptized or whatever in the Jordan River, and stepped one foot into Jordan (safely and quickly haha don't worry!) and I'm sure Avi (the dad) will show us many other amazing places. Thank god he's technologically advanced and took lots of pictures and then emailed them to us so you can finally see me in Israel!!!!!!!

Emile, LRW, Julian over looking Lake Kinneret

my "bathing suit" (go Dodgers!) (Are they still sucking?)

going to step a foot in Jordan

our wonderful campsite

I can't believe we've only been here for a week, it feels like months already! My apartment mates and I are having a lot of fun and we've already got a good bond going. I'm almost fully settled into my room, I just need to find some posters or pictures or something to decorate the boring walls. We started Ulpan (Hebrew classes) Sunday and I'm in the "advanced" class, basically because I can read the letters and somewhat know what's going on. So far so good, I'm remembering whatever I used to know and it's easier to speak and learn it here than in a classroom at UCSB obviously...we're also visiting all the volunteer places these next 2 weeks to see where we want to help out. I am most interested in either a place that specializes with kids with motor disabilities or youth at risk.

I'm excited for the shuk on wednesday. It's a big open market every Wednesday here in Ashdod where you can apparantly find everything you could ever want for cheap. I also just discovered what avocados looked like here so I'm very very excited to get some of those deliciousness.

Unfortunately fixing my camera is a no go, it's not worth the cost when I could just buy a new camera for not that much more, but as I say it's just moneyyyyy!! :(

Loves you alllllllll,
LRW

P.S. Skype works, inny49..do it!
P.P.S. Just got an email that Birthright registration for winter starts in like 3 weeks, hint hint wink wink...
P.P.P.S. Aroma here is this amazing Starbucks like place that has great coffee and can't get enough. They give you a little chocolate piece with every drink, fabulous...Also met a couple Israelis who used to live in Sherman Oaks, love it.