Thoughts After 4 Weeks

So we have finally completed our first month in Israel and I wanted to document come initial thoughts about living here. These are in no particular order...

• Food is awesome. We have had a bunch of meals, and the majority have them have been memorable. I find nothing better then getting a falafel from down the street.

• We are now relying on public transportation in Jerusalem and so far it has been pretty good. Buses run on time and they link into Google Maps very well to tell us which line we should take. The whole system uses the Rav Kav card and you can place it against your phone using the app to determine the current amount on the card.

A monthly pass for all of Jerusalem will cost around $80, $40 for Zoe. Buses have USB

inputs for charging.

• Coins are going to be a pain. When you get change back in the US, the biggest one you would get is around $.25. In Israel, the 10 NIS coin (see above) is around $3.20. You can have a pocketful of change that equals a significant amount of money.

• Grocery shopping. We have used both delivery and done some outdoor shopping. If you bought the same things you purchased in the US, then it would be very expensive. Items like beef, convenience foods, and frozen foods are hugely expensive.

However, we have been purchasing lots of vegetables and fruit and chicken, so it seems like

are spending about the same. More on this when we settle into a new apartment and have

a couple months of spending under our belt.

• For the most part, language has not been an issue. That might be because we are in Jerusalem, but communication has not been a problem.

• For the most part the time change has not been an issue. I love watching "Morning Joe" at 1 pm.

• Are Israeli's busybodys? A man got off the bus with me yesterday and started to lecture me about the need to lose weight. He insisted that I look up Konjac and start taking it to reduce the jelly in my body.

I am sure that I forgot some things, but I probably will add to this list as time goes on...