Hello All,
We are writing again from our temp apartment, but hopefully for the last time! After looking at many (many) different apartments, we have finally found one that suits our needs. We have not secured anything or signed anything, so I won’t say anymore, but wish us luck as we enter the final steps of the process.
In our search we encountered a number of “interesting” apartments. One had the most incredible view, giant bedrooms… but a kitchen barely big enough to walk into. Other apartments were newly (-ish) renovated, but the bedrooms were only big enough to fit a bed (and nothing else). One guy tried to convince us that his apartment was nice and quiet, even though it was just off a major intersection and above a bar, “when their music is loud, I just turn on my music and I can’t hear it anymore.” Another guy tried to convince us to take his apartment because Matt looked just like the previous tenant. At one apartment, the guy wouldn’t give us a price, but asked us what we thought the apartment was worth. He told us he would rather have a nice couple like us who will take care of the apartment, than make a lot of money. Too bad that apartment was not in an ideal location. At a few places, they assumed we weren’t married and were shocked to find out we’ve been married for three years (sometimes that shocks us too). All in all, it was an experience, but an experience we hope will soon be over.
Last weekend, we spent Shabbat in Ahuza (the neighborhood we hope to move to). In Ahuza there is a decent sized Anglo network and we were set up for everything we could need. We stayed with a woman who reminded us a bit of Matt’s mom – she made Matt Shabbat morning coffee and she even plays Mahjong! We had dinner with a few couples around our parents’ age who immediately offered their help in apartment/job searching (and everything else). The next day we met a bunch of couples around our age who we already consider our new friends!
At shul on Saturday morning Matt was reading an article he brought from one of his professors/advisor, Simi Chavel, in Chicago. At some point he felt someone leaning over his shoulder. When he looked up he saw a man smiling and the man asked: “how did you come across that article? I did my phd with Simi at Hebrew U!” This man, Yonatan Ben-Dov, is a Bible professor at Haifa University, has become one of our biggest supporters, feeding us and helping with the apartment search among other things. Also at shul, a woman who has kids our age approached Stef asking if she was new to the neighborhood (she asked in English, I guess I exude “American”). She had already heard of us (through the Anglo networks) and her name is Ellen, just like Stef’s mom! She too invited us over and has offered to let us stay with her if we ever need to. People in Ahuza seem to really like us. J
Also this week, Matt began to work. On Sunday, Matt’s professor called and said: “so you’re digging tomorrow, right?” At that moment, Matt didn’t exactly know what he was being signed up for. At 5:30am the next morning, Matt was on his way to Tel Esur so assist on a Middle Bronze archaeological excavation. He comes home each day covered in dirt and exhausted, just in time to head out to apartment search (after a shower of course).
Last, but not least, we went to our first Brit Milah (Bris) as Israelis. Friends of ours who live in town that happens to be right around the corner from Matt’s excavation, was having, not only a bris for her new born son, but also a Simchat Bat (baby naming) for her new born daughter, twins! We were so happy to see them and meet the babies and we hope that once things settle down in both our lives we will have a chance to spend some real time with them.
We want to wish everyone a Shanah Tova (a happy New Year) – we are excited to be spending Rosh HaShana this year in Jerusalem with our friends and family.
In the meantime, Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend!
Stef and Matt
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