I am on a journey, to make Aliyah, and want to share my journey with my family, friends and anyone that is interested. I made the decision to make Aliyah in December 2002 and now I am actually doing it. This blog will chronicle my story and adventures leading up to getting on the plane and then the continuing story of the beginning of my new life in Israel and what I experience once there.
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Monday, July 13, 2009

Trip to Jerusalem

I made my first trip to Jerusalem on Sunday. Sunday is the first day of the week here in Israel. Everyone is getting where they need to be, you know like Monday in much of the rest of the world. The inter-city busses all stop at a large parking lot. It is about 1.5 miles from where I live. So I set out for a nice morning walk before 9:00am and made it there around 9:20. I figured out which area to wait for the correct bus and it arrived aroind 9:30 and after the walk in the morning sun the airconditioned bus felt good. I arrived at the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem around 11am. I had to pass through the metal detectors and my pocket knife set off the detector. Big eyes from the guard made me think I shouln't be carrying it. Another guard said "he's American" then the guard seemed to be ok and waved me through, Silvy met me there and suggest that since this was my first visit to Jerusalem since making Aliyah I needed to visit the Kotel (the Western Wall). So we set off for her car and as we walked along she snapped a picture of me on the new bridge in Jerusalem.
We then found her car and headed for the Old City. We only had to drive around for 3 or 4 minutes to find a place to park with a two minute walk to the wall of the Old City. So a good opportunity for another picture.














We then entered the city and made our way to the Kotel. We each visited our respective sides and took pics to commemorate the occation.




I then had to catch a bus to goto the Nefesh b'Nefesh office to receive my Israeli ID card and meet up with most of the people from my flight. I also really appreciated the water they had. Afterwards I walked back to the Central Bus Station and caught my bus back to Ra'anana. I then had to walk home. I was trying to get back in time to finish some paperwork but didn't make it back before they left. So I went to the Italian/Sushi place I've been to twice before. Since I had sushi the previous visits, this time I had Italian. They now have a frequent diners card it cost me 59 shekels, for that I get 10% off all my future meals, a 50 shekel "gift" for my birthday (this thursday) 50 shekel "gift" after I spend 1000 shekels. So by Thursday I'll have most of my money back. So I have my first freqent diners card, since I've eaten there three times in less than a week I think I might return.

1 comment:

jfkfaual@aim.com said...

I've been following your blog for many months now and as a perspective oleh, I'd love to hear about the living conditions of the absorption center. Perhaps some details about monthly rental costs and maybe even a few posted photos. As a single male are you sharing your living space? Mazel Tov on your big move!!