The journey

So yesterday around 11am EST we (Lori, Steve, Sarah, Emily, Selma, and Elliot) loaded the car with four bags headed for Israel. This would seem simple if four people were each taking one bag. But I was taking all four. And I only had two hands. So my mom, grandmother, and boyfriend helped me configure a system to strap one bag onto another without it falling off the suitcase while it was being wheeled. That took about 20 mins. We succeeded and then loaded the car with people headed for Newark airport. We arrived around 1245 and I proceeded to check in. We weighed the two big bags. One was 49.5 pounds. The other was 50.5. So we moved one shoe from one bag to the other and I had exactly 50lbs in each bag. I checked in, checked my baggage and headed off to security where I had to say goodbye to my family. It was tearful to say the least. But it ended quickly when we saw a large group of teens making their way towards the very same security check in. I made it through security no problem (not to say I wasn't worried about carrying a years supply of 4 medications with me onto the plane, or that security would stop me when they saw how big my carry on suitcase was). Then I got lunch and went to find my gate, which was securely blocked off and guarded. We had to wait until 230 before they would start checking us into the gate. Everyone had to have their bags checked, get wanded by a TSA officer, and have their passport re-screened by a united airlines staffer. After all that we still had to board the plane which took about an hour. But after all that, I made it onto the plane in one piece. The flight was uneventful, which was good. And we landed on time. I went through passport control, baggage claim, and customs with no problem before meeting my friend Keren, who so kindly met me at the airport. For those who don't know, Keren was my camp counselor about 8 years ago. We have kept in touch throughout that time and I'm so glad that she was the first person I knew when I arrived. We loaded her car with my many bags and headed for Jerusalem, my home for the year. We met my roommates Nathan (a conservative yeshiva student) and Gideon (taking classes over the summer) who were both very nice. Keren's and my next mission was grocery shopping before the stores shut down for Shabbat (around 4pmish, although Shabbat doesn't start until later). There are three grocery stores within five minutes of my apartment. I just got some food to tide me over until Monday when I can go grocery shopping after I've had time to settle. After we dropped the food off, Keren and I went to find HUC, the school where I'll be studying for the year. It's about a 30 minute walk straight down one street next to my apartment (I would have to try really hard to get lost, although knowing me, we'll see what happens). After we made it back to the apartment, I said goodbye for now to Keren, and started relaxing a little after these very hectic days. My goal is to stay awake until about 10pm tonight so that I can get on Israel time as quickly as possible. Orientation starts Monday. Sorry for the long post. Talk to you all soon!

Sarahd.