Tuesday, September 2, 2008

11 1/2 hours later... We made it!

Wow! What a flight. I spend the whole flight in the overhead compartment, while Laurel got an aisle exit row seat. She was able to sleep for 1/2 the flight and read/ watched a movie the second 1/2 to stay awake. The entire flight there was a breakfast bar set up so passengers could get up and take whatever food they wanted! When we landed Laurel said she was nervous for the first time. Would there really be someone waiting for us? Would she have to take a taxi all by herself? She saw 4 people who had to be questioned at customs, and that really made her nervous! Luckily we had everything in order, and she was able to go through without a hitch. We got a cart, loaded the bags (which were a nice 49lbs and 50lbs, right under the weight limit), and with Laurel's heart beating loud enough for me to hear in her backpack we walked out to the waiting area. Yonit, the madricha (counselor) had a HUGE sign that read Welcome WUJS! What a relief for Laurel, she didn't have to shelp herself to Jerusalem. There were 5 other people from the program who were waiting at the airport, because earlier that day there was a strike and they couldn't get their bags!

We all took a bus to Jerusalem to the new apartment building. The apartments were just finished that day, and there is still sawdust on the tables and floors. Our room has three bedrooms for three girls (and me, though I guess I don't really count). We are room number 11, which is 9 flights up with no elevator. It works out though, because the other rooms on lower floors have four people for three bedrooms.

Laurel doesn't have a dresser yet, so she is still living from her bags until the rest of the furniture arrives. We spent the evening playing get-to-know-you games, and then hung out on the roof.

I was woken up by the construction and a shofar being blown for teh Arab cll to prayer at 4am. Laurel, having taken Tylanol PM was able to sleep until 7am. She isn't jetlagged so far, though I think I might be.

This was a long update, though I wanted to make sure to tell everyone that we are alive and well. Tomorrow we go off for a hike... lucky me I don't have to walk.

- Mo the Shalom Gnome

1 comment:

John Herold said...

Congratulations!!!! I love the gnome posts. Take care. Email or skype us at home. Love you.
JH