Another busy week

I have had another wonderful week. On Wednesday I got together with some friends from Maryland that are spending a month in Israel. I met Karen, Barry, and Barry's 88 year old mother Caroline at my house and we had a great lunch nearby. From there we took a ride around the entire circumference of the old city (ok, that was not planned but it was nice anyway). Our destination was the Hurva Synagogue in the old city. This synagogue has a very long history but suffice it to say that it has been torn down by various enemies and re-built many times. It is once again intact and we had a wonderful and enthusiastic tour guide who gave us much history. There is an amazing view of the old city from the catwalk at the top of the synagogue.

One of the resasons that the Fierst family wanted to go to this synagogue was because Barry's uncle had his bar mitzvah there in 1927 and he was the first American to do so. Barry brought a copy of the invitation. The tour guide was excited to have it and I was excited to be part of the moment. As we were leaving the synagogue we heard a commotion with singing and a drumbeing pounded. There was a group of children celebrating something and walking through the old city. It was fun to watch (see top picture). After the tour we went back to the Fierst's home for dinner. It was a great day. On the way home, I met a woman from NY who recently made aliyah after both her daughters did so and we exchanged phone numbers and will hopefully get together soon. It is very easy to strike up conversations here.

Friday evening I was invited for Shabbat dinner at the home of some distant cousins of Brinda's. I got to meet Elan and Nami and their children. Elan's brother Erez (who also works at the hospital where I am a volunteer) also came along with his wife and children. They were very warm and hospitable and we are hoping to get together again soon. Elan has been very active in all things Jerusalem and was a great tour guide when bringing me to their home. Nami is the Dean of Hebrew Union College. When she heard that I was a geriatric nurse, she popped me into her car to meet her 86 year old mother who is living in assisted living and was recently hospitalized with CHF. I got to feel her ankles and review her meds! She was very sweet and I am glad I got to meet them all.

Yesterday, I went back to the old city to tour the Tower of David museum. I took a 2 hour guided tour. During the tour I met a family visiting from California and we chatted for a few minutes. I have been on a quest to find the best hummus (chick pea) restaurant in Jerusalem in preparation for Zach's arrival in March and decided to check out a place recommended on the Internet in the Arab shuk. I sat down in the restaurant and in walked the family from California! They invited me to join them and even bought me my lunch. It was very kind of them.

So, as I've said, another busy week. On top of it all, I woke up one morning with pink eye. I went across the street to the hospital, cornered one of the doctors who took one look at me and wrote a perscription. One of the hospital van drivers took me to the pharmacy where I got some eye drops in about 1 minute for a cost of $3. My eye is now much better. It was much easier then being home and having a problem!

I've decided to end each blog with a random observation since I am constantly noticing differences here. In Israel, you can buy vodka at any local grocery store but you can't buy Tylenol. For that, you need to go to a pharmacy. There are no medicinces whatsoever in a grocery store. I find that odd and inconvienent but it is their way of life!

All is well. I miss everyone but would not miss this opportunity.