The Start

Well I am in Israel. This BYU Jerusalem study abroad has officially started.

But it really all started January 6^th. All of the students in the program met at the airport hours before our plane actually took off and just sat around and started to get to know each other. The flight to New York went by very quickly. I of course played the in-flight quiz and convinced the people sitting next to me to try it out, because for some strange reason they had never heard of it before (which is super unfortunate, but luckily for them, I enlightened them). By no surprise, I won. Granted there were only two other players- but hey, a win is a win.

We flew in over New York and from my window I saw Manhattan for the first time. I could identify the Chrysler building and the Empire State Building and it made me wonder if anyone was waiting at the top of the Empire State Building to meet a stranger to find out if they were their soul mate-just like in Sleepless In Seattle. I figured they probably weren't. How unfortunate.

 Once we got into the airport everyone was talking about the “shake shack”- a burgers and fries place that apparently is a big deal in the east coast. So we decided that we better check this place out. I looked at the menu and immediately recognized something called the “concrete”. Because I am an avid reader of the Lovetaza blog (a newyorker) I recognized the name. So obviously that was what I got. It was basically vanilla custard and it was delicious. We then got on the plane to leave, but then proceeded to stay on the plane for 2 + hours waiting to takeoff  because of some luggage issues. When we finally left I watched, The Holiday, ate my subpar plane food dinner, and then I actually fell asleep! Even with a baby crying, a group of orthodox Jews praying, and an uncomfortable seat. It was actually a huge deal.

When we got into the Israel airport, everyone was practicing what we were supposed to say at the booth which officially was – “I am here on a travel abroad program sponsored by the Mormon university on mount Scopus”. Then they didn't even ask me a single question.

Once we got our luggage it was off to the buses.  It was storming like crazy and the rain was pounding down so we ran out and got soaking wet. Inside our bus Brother Anderson  taught us a Hebrew song- a very common Hebrew tune that everyone recognized. Then we started to sing it faster and faster. Everyone was having a good time while singing and it felt like the perfect introduction to Israel. It was snowing in Jerusalem so we didn’t go to the Center because the roads were closed; instead we stayed at the Leonardo plaza- a five star hotel. 

                                                                     

This is the view out my window the next morning. The Mediterranean sea is to the left and the U.F.O crash landing was the entrance to the hotel. It looked cool at night, but pretty bazaar in the morning.  

Fun Fact: It only snows in Jerusalem every five-ten years. So I guess we are lucky? We went up to dinner and I again rediscovered that no one does desserts like America. Then after a small orientation we went to our rooms and everyone passed right out. 

The next morning we drove the Jerusalem center and had a very long orientation. And can you say, “rigorous academic schedule”? Because every faculty member here certainly can.