Well - this can be the first post. I sent this Email a few weeks ago and it gives a great idea of some of my first experiences in Israel.

"Last week I travelled to visit a friend and her family in Kiryat Ekron, a small, primarily Yemenite town 40 minutes outside of Jeru. I visited my friend, her brother, her mother, and grandmother for some time and then asked to see the neighborhood. A different member of their family owned every house on the street. That's 35 people, 8 houses, 1 family. The hospitality was over the top and it was different from anything I've experienced in the states. At the same time, I can't imagine having any privacy there!

There is a military airport just outside of Kiryat Ekron. While I was there, which was after the war ended, military jets took off and landed periodically - three to four times per day. When they did, the entire house would shake and it would be difficult to hear another person speak. The family said that two weeks ago, during the war, jets came and went all night every night.

I got along very well with one my friend's cousins. She is 18 years old, semi-rebellious, and beginning her Israel Defense Force service in three months. She opened up her feelings about Israel to me. She told me that in the past she has lost friends in terrorist attacks. The thing that upset her is that amongst all of this, "every hates Israel." In spite of her family of 35, she felt a serious lack of support from the outside world. She also explained that since the intifada, Israel has made leaps and bounds in stopping attacks. They are few and far between these days - so no worries!

Back on campus, I take 4 to 5 hours of Hebrew per day plus studying and homework at night. My roommates are Canadian, French, and Israeli. Campus is one of the most international places I've been. I learn something from every conversation."

I will also add that my camera was stolen during my time in Kiryat Ekron, so I'm a little short on pictures right now. Soon I should have another.

Danny