Exciting news of the day: I have a cell phone! It's pretty basic, but it has a sim card, and it's pay as you go. I was also able to pull out some money from an ATM (fun fact, banks close at like 2-3 in Israel. But now you can call me and it won't cost me a thing (although it will probs cost you... )
my number : 011+ 972+054-3127176 (i think). now in case the internet ends and you worry for my safety (*cough* mom *cough*) you can find me. Although who knows if cell phones will get service. My mom needs something to worry about! Hehe love you.
Other news: i will become the wandering/migrant American in Lakiya. turns out i will be living in different places each month. Soon i will start spending time with someone named Huda. She works part time for Sidreh and also studies at Ben Gurion University, the university of Beersheba. I will stay there a couple nights a week, and help Huda with her English. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about the moving around, but it will be nice to meet more people and get a more complete idea of life amongst the Bedouin. I'll let you know how that goes.
Humorous notes/differences:
-When people first see me in Lakiya, they assume I'm Israeli. Thus I hear a lot of Shalom and other words I don't understand. Then I pull out my only hebrew phrase: Hi, I don't speak hebrew.
-Oh the differences in taste. We had pizza last night, with olives, corn, and zatar (an israeli herb that's used on everything)
- Asaan, the eldest son, hurt his arm/wrist (?). His grandmother gave him a traditional remedy: she broke an egg over his injury and wrapped the egg with cloth. Assan must leave it like that overnight to help it heal. Interesting tradition, but really really smelly.
- Students take a test before College called the psychometric. Riham, their eldest daughter, is going to take it in December (side note: they have it one day every season, and in December its on the 25th. Sucks to be Christian I guess). I was helping her practice,and it was ridiculously hard English sentences. They include things on nuclear disarmament, and electromagnetic rays. I am utterly ashamed at our attempts to teach foreign languages in the states
- you need to have your passport to go into a college. I went onto the Ben Gurion campus (major university of the south) to go to the ATM (see above on banks). The security guy reprimanded me. But they let me through. I had the I'm a confused american look. it helps.
-to all the ladies: don't go into Negliahs: even if men ask you to have a drink, don't do it. Negilahs are the Muslim equivalent of bars: they go to smoke, have a drink (no alcohol because everyone's Muslim). I walked past it the other day unknowingly. Men came out and tried to talk to me. First in Hebrew, then in the local dialect, then in english/MSA. Basically. Here's what happened
Men: Hi, how are you?
Me: I am good how are you?
Men: What is your name?
Me: My name is Katie? What are yours?
Men: *Jumble of names I can't remember* You want to come in and have drink?
Me: No thank you
Men: Come! Come!
Me: (in arabic) Thank you very much, but not today. *I leave*
Found out later from my host family that was a smart move. Women don't go into the Negilah. It would have gotten awkward reaaaal quick if I had said yes. Plus a large group of men, one woman... I know its a bit irrational, but i'm in a foreign country. I'm not going into a lion's den.
That's the latest from Lakiya. Exciting news: I am going with an acquaintance to Rosh Hashannah dinner! Fun fact: I haven't actually met her face to face yet. All has been through the wonders of the Internet. Things I'm looking forward to for that evening:
meeting Lauren
speaking English and french.
a pool
3 dogs
meeting Israelis
A night out of Lakiya
More on that later. For now. this old lady has to go to bed.
Lilah Tov!
KAS
my number : 011+ 972+054-3127176 (i think). now in case the internet ends and you worry for my safety (*cough* mom *cough*) you can find me. Although who knows if cell phones will get service. My mom needs something to worry about! Hehe love you.
Other news: i will become the wandering/migrant American in Lakiya. turns out i will be living in different places each month. Soon i will start spending time with someone named Huda. She works part time for Sidreh and also studies at Ben Gurion University, the university of Beersheba. I will stay there a couple nights a week, and help Huda with her English. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about the moving around, but it will be nice to meet more people and get a more complete idea of life amongst the Bedouin. I'll let you know how that goes.
Humorous notes/differences:
-When people first see me in Lakiya, they assume I'm Israeli. Thus I hear a lot of Shalom and other words I don't understand. Then I pull out my only hebrew phrase: Hi, I don't speak hebrew.
-Oh the differences in taste. We had pizza last night, with olives, corn, and zatar (an israeli herb that's used on everything)
- Asaan, the eldest son, hurt his arm/wrist (?). His grandmother gave him a traditional remedy: she broke an egg over his injury and wrapped the egg with cloth. Assan must leave it like that overnight to help it heal. Interesting tradition, but really really smelly.
- Students take a test before College called the psychometric. Riham, their eldest daughter, is going to take it in December (side note: they have it one day every season, and in December its on the 25th. Sucks to be Christian I guess). I was helping her practice,and it was ridiculously hard English sentences. They include things on nuclear disarmament, and electromagnetic rays. I am utterly ashamed at our attempts to teach foreign languages in the states
- you need to have your passport to go into a college. I went onto the Ben Gurion campus (major university of the south) to go to the ATM (see above on banks). The security guy reprimanded me. But they let me through. I had the I'm a confused american look. it helps.
-to all the ladies: don't go into Negliahs: even if men ask you to have a drink, don't do it. Negilahs are the Muslim equivalent of bars: they go to smoke, have a drink (no alcohol because everyone's Muslim). I walked past it the other day unknowingly. Men came out and tried to talk to me. First in Hebrew, then in the local dialect, then in english/MSA. Basically. Here's what happened
Men: Hi, how are you?
Me: I am good how are you?
Men: What is your name?
Me: My name is Katie? What are yours?
Men: *Jumble of names I can't remember* You want to come in and have drink?
Me: No thank you
Men: Come! Come!
Me: (in arabic) Thank you very much, but not today. *I leave*
Found out later from my host family that was a smart move. Women don't go into the Negilah. It would have gotten awkward reaaaal quick if I had said yes. Plus a large group of men, one woman... I know its a bit irrational, but i'm in a foreign country. I'm not going into a lion's den.
That's the latest from Lakiya. Exciting news: I am going with an acquaintance to Rosh Hashannah dinner! Fun fact: I haven't actually met her face to face yet. All has been through the wonders of the Internet. Things I'm looking forward to for that evening:
meeting Lauren
speaking English and french.
a pool
3 dogs
meeting Israelis
A night out of Lakiya
More on that later. For now. this old lady has to go to bed.
Lilah Tov!
KAS
Good Morning Katie! Thinking of you today as you start week 2. Big hugs, Kim
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