Post office scare

So I never write about these things, but this is just one example of the craziness that I often email or talk about. I'm sort of used to weird things happening to me, so my story will seem normal to me. However, I'm always a bit surprised about how I react to events such as these. What do you all think?

So a few days ago, I heard a knock on my front door at about 8:30 in the morning. Seeing how I wasn't expecting anyone, and was admittedly still in my pajamas, I didn't answer the door. When I left later that morning I discovered a notice for a package that someone had tried to deliver. Normally I pick up my packages by hand and the post office down the street. So I sort of disregarded the message and figured I'd pick up the package when it was convenient. So this morning, I walked down to the Post Office and while I was there, a black folder/carrying case was left at the counter of one of the stations. The office clerk panicked and raced to find the manager. The manager came out and asked everyone standing in the room (not a very big room, and it was fairly crowded) if the item was theirs. Everyone answered no and she got a panicked look on her face. I watched the people around me and most of them were quite calm, not really thinking anything of it. However, three ladies that work at the Post Office were getting as far away from the case as possible, and no one would touch it. There is a security guard standing about 2 meters outside of the Post Office but no one went to get him. He has a magic black wand that he waves over every person who walks through the door to see if he/she is "packing heat" of some sort. And frankly, most people are. I've never seen so many guns as I do here. But because everyone serves in the Army, I don't really think much of it because they all know how to use their weapons safely.

Back to my story, after a couple of minutes of panic, a walked into the office and said, that it was hers, that he had left it here by accident. I sort of figured this would be the case. But I was surprised at myself for not panicking more. I mean, it could have very well been a bomb. And all of the spectators/customers just stood there and watched as the office workers went bazerk.

I just find it odd, that I even have to wonder if there is a bomb or some sort of harmful package when I walk into a Post Office. Yet as I have seen today and on many other occasions, asking this question doesn't really phase most Israelis. They are just sort of used to it. No one moved out of the office, in fear of losing his/her place in line. (Which in itself is a miracle because most Israelis don't use lines. There is more of a survival of the fittest mentality.)

So, everything was fine, although I didn't end up getting my package...grrr. Apparently I was supposed to call the number on the notice, like 4 days ago. Whoops. This in itself will be a new adventure for me, because when I called the number, my Hebrew still stinks, and I only understood half of what they told me on the phone. So...another adventure waits me as I search for my MIA package.

Back in the land

I returned last week to this place I now call home. It was quite surreal as I rode in the Sherrut from Tel Aviv back to Jerusalem. The sun was setting, a beautiful sunset, and the moon had began its assent across the sky. Two full orbs, circling around me, the same two orbs that greeted me in Idaho, and I suddenly felt so small and insignificant. It was the first time I had been in the land since the war began. A war which is currently over, although many think the peace will not last very long. I saw smoke in the distance, a blackness rising above the horizon, and I wondered if this was just a fire, fairly common around here, or the remains of a rocket, like the ones so common up north. Its a weird feeling to wonder if you are looking at the devastation of war. Somehow I feel like the people of Lebanon and Israel are used to asking themselves if they are peering at the remains of war, but I can't imagine that one ever gets accustomed to seeing such sites.

I've been telling people that things in Jerusalem are fine, and they are. Jerusalem seems like the center of the world sometimes, yet in reality, nothing seems to ever happens here. In the 15 months that I've been living here, there haven't been any bombings, or major attacks. Instead, they've been in Ramallah, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and so many of the little towns up north. Yet Jerusalem in all its craziness remains "quiet."

My return to the country came just after a quick visit to New York City where I visited my dear friend Kara. She showed me around Queens, and we delved into the diversity of the region by eating different ethnic foods every night. I also really enjoyed talking with an employee of Blockbuster who could read my Israeli blockbuster card in Hebrew and still let us rent videos on it. Now I knew Queens was a melting pot of people from all over, but this totally threw me off. This guy looked to be of African American origin, and spoke perfect English, yet apparently knew Hebrew. What a treat!

Kara and her friend Lenny took me to my first major league...anything! We saw the New York Mets kill the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1. I ate a hot dog, sang, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and I even saw a grand slam! above: at the Mets game

The church Kara works at is also amazing. It's called New Life Fellowship. The congregation has over 60 different nationalities! Kara and I were two of the very few white faces around. G-d has been showing me the beauty of diversity over the past few years and being at New Life was another treat. Kara describes the diversity here as not just countries, skin color, and languages, but also ideas, religions, and cultures. For me, it was a blessing to see a snapshot of G-d's kingdom full of different nationalities and languages yet a common love and faith.
Kara, Lenny and I also went to the beach which was my first time in the Atlantic. It was fun but very cold and rough compared to the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean that I am used to. Kara and I at the beach.

So, back in Israel I am working on papers all summer. I had planned to take a Hebrew class but it was just too much work for me on top of my papers. So far, I have one down and four to go....The road seems long.

Well, I'll end this post with a picture of the family. While I was home we had a chance to do some hiking in Idaho (one of my favorite things to do!) I hope you all enjoy your summer. My goal is to update this more often. So stay in touch. Blessings and Shalom.