We arrived in Israel on Monday at 2 p.m., exhausted but exhilarated.  The 14-hour nonstop flight from LA had seven kids, and we landed about 2 hours before the group flight from New York.  The trip was off to an interesting start when my friends Marcia and Paige, who I know from camp, lost the group at the airport.  It was mostly funny, but also pretty embarrassing.

We got to the Youth Village in the heart of Jerusalem in the pouring rain and had to bring our suitcases down to our dorms.  The next few days went by super-fast, filled with orientations, getting our schedules, and even our first tiyul (trip,) to the Negev.  We rode camels and stayed in totally inauthentic Bedouin tents.  It was tons of fun but a little awkward since we still didn’t all know each other.

Since then, we’ve been getting accustomed to dorm life and our classes.  The day is pretty hectic, with class from 8:45 to 6:30 and breaks for lunch and free periods.  During our free time we can go off campus, and there’s a yummy falafel stand, bakery, and super market right outside the chava (youth village).

I’m already having the most amazing time and I can tell it’s going to get better.  Check back soon for an update!