Galilee Day Dalet

I must start out by apologizing for my unorganized thoughts. It has been a long weekend!  Our final day of the Galilee field study was spent mostly in the Jezreel Valley area. We left En Gev and drove past Mt. Tabor over to Nazareth where the bus climbed the hill to the top where there is a lookout point. This lookout had a spectacular view of the entire Jezreel Valley and we were fortunate to be able to enjoy it almost rain free. When you look out upon the valley from the left to the right you see Mount Tabor, Hills of Moreh, Dothon Pass, Megiddo (some know it as Armageddon), the Megiddo pass, and finally off in the far distance to the right you can see Haifa which is along the coast. It was really neat to be able to put ourselves in the geographical location of Jesus’ childhood. Here Jesus was able to view so much of his Jewish history while playing on the rocks on the mountain with friends as a child. I think that is so neat! On the other side of Nazareth which is located on the Nazareth ridge was where we were on our first day of the field study. This other town is a likely location for Joseph to have worked at as a carpenter.
Then we drove over to Megiddo where there was a torrential downpour! It was starting to get pretty cold. It was really cool to see the tel and to learn about all the history that is contained in that single mound of dirt. The city has been rebuilt twenty four times after twenty four destructions. It is amazing! This is where Solomon, Ahab, and other kings had palaces. It is well known, however, especially for Solomon’s “stables”. It is said that Solomon had 450 horses here, though I don’t really believe it. The gate to the city that is showing is a late Bronze Age gate. It is typical for that time with its several protruding sides where soldiers would be able to hide out. This is where Thutmose from Egypt tried to attack the city. When he and his men were approaching the Jezreel Valley they got distracted by all the loot they could take from the fields and forgot to take advantage of the wide open gates of the unsuspecting city. So the people of Megiddo were able to shut the gates and protect themselves easily. Thutmose then had to wait seven months to take hold of the city again. Hearing this story made me chuckle to myself a little. Here is Thutmose this awesome leader with this advanced army from the Egypt and his soldiers get distracted? It brings a picture to my mind of puppies in a field that are all learning how to hunt but keep stumbling upon butterflies and become enthralled. Too funny!
Our day ended with Caesarea Maritime. This is the harbor that Herod built. This was his prized home because it was not around the Jews, so he could fulfill his Roman dreams. The city itself is extremely Roman in style and architecture as well as building purposes. There were lots of them created for entertainment such as the hippodrome and the theater. This is also where Paul would land when he came back from his missions across the Mediterranean as described in the book of Acts. He was once on trial here as well.

Galilee Day Gimmel

Monday’s field study explored the immediate region around the Galilee. We started our day at Hippus (Hebrew, Susita). There we explored through the Roman road and the other buildings made of Basalt. We also discussed the passage in Luke regarding the Prodigal Son. This passage in particular grabs at my heart each time. Growing up with a father that did not always show just how much he loved us in ways that I or my sister could understand, this passage blows my mind. The passion the father has for the son and in parallel the passion God has for us, his children, astounds me. Growing up not knowing God but going through moments that I can now look back on and distinctly see God calling me to Him, brings a vivid picture to my mind of this parable. It is very near and dear to my heart.
After Hippus we hopped on a boat and crossed the Galilee. It was incredible to be upon the water looking around the lake. It was interesting to learn about the different types of fishing and to compare them to the different disciple’s occupations. I enjoyed learning about that! Once we arrived on the other side of the lake, we entered in a place where parts of a 2000 year old boat were displayed.
Then we made our way to Karazim to see some more basalt ruins where we learned about the new homes that were being established at the time. They were known as Insula or Beth Av (Father’s House). There was a courtyard surrounded by rooms of the different family members who had gone to make families of their own. It was interesting. We also learned about the Synagogue there. It was a very elaborate building. There is something called the seat of Moses which I got to sit in. This is where the reader of the Torah selection for that time sat after the reading to discuss and exegete the passage.
After Korazim we traveled to Capernaum. Capernaum was amazing! This is Jesus’ hometown. Besides the rain, there were lots of interesting things there including the possible “house of Peter”, a Byzantine church, and a synagogue. This may be part of the same synagogue that Jesus preached in. The location of Capernaum is at the center of several cultures. This is remarkable because Jesus placed himself in a location ideal for interaction with all sorts of people, setting an example to his followers for the great commission.
Then we went over to the hill where the Sermon on the Mount was most likely given by Jesus. We walked along the hill and part way down and read aloud the passage in Matthew. It was amazing to be able to see Hippus and Magdala and think about the concepts of the salt and light. Jesus says we are to be like a light on a hill (like Hippus) and be the salt of the earth (Mgdala has a salt industry). It was very cool!
Finally, we went back to the cliffs of Arbel where I climbed down a cliff and hiked back up. I am terribly impressed with myself, especially since I am so afraid of heights.

Galilee Day Bet

Sunday was another amazing day of travel and sights! We started the day by going to Tel Dan where we saw some amazing things! It is such a beautiful place! There is a river than runs though it and everything around it is green. It was a refreshing change from the dryness of southern Israel. While there we stopped at Jeraboam’s palace and temple. It was interesting to see how big the alter was there and to discuss what exactly was the sin that Jeraboam has that is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. We also discussed the tribe of Dan and how they decided to settle this particular area because they did not enter into their true inheritance near the coast. Dan was not a bad place to settle though. They had more than enough water, more than enough land and good soil for agriculture. It was definitely a beautiful location. It reminded me a lot of the Stanislaus River back home. On our way out we stopped by the gate and talked about the different purposes of the gates. It amazes me how much activity went on at the gates. There really was so much that happened there. At this gate in particular there was a distinct alter type thing with decorative planters in which wooden poles holding a canopy would be placed. This is where the judgments of the city would happen. The king would hold hearings here and judge the people that came in to be judged.
After Dan we went to Caesarea Philipi which absolutely blew my mind. I was so impressed by it and thinking back on the conversation Jesus had with his disciples in Matthew was amazing. We looked up at where all these temples stood to all these Gods, the same ones Jesus looked at when he asked, “Who do you say I am”. I feel like God brings me to that every now and again. Something good in my life will happen and I will praise myself for the good job I have done an will often forget to praise the only one worthy of praise, God. He is so incredibly worthy and I shortchange Him every time, but he is gracious. Praise Him for that! It was nice also to be able to wander off while I was there and sit on the river and sing a song for Him, a song declaring who he is. He is God. Amen! Being there probably had the most impact on me.
After Caesarea we went over to Nimrod. The name cracks me up. But anyway, Nimrod was an old Crusader castle/fortress. It was really impressive! I had a blast exploring it and going through the secret passage ways and climbing to the tallest towers. That was so much fun!
Finally, we ended our day at the top of an extinct volcano in the Golan Heights. We could see into Syria and I was absolutely blown away by that! It was so cool! Also, we were able to climb through the trenches and bunkers of the hill from the 1967 war. It was amazing to go underground into the bunker and see where the soldiers slept and ate. There were even some plates left there. It was fun!

Galilee Day Aleph

Saturday’s field study followed the surrounding areas of the Jezreel Valley. We started out the day by going to Beth Shan. We walked by an amazing Roman Road made of basalt rock that is unique to this part of Israel. It has a rich black color. Beth Shan is the Old Testament City that guards the Herod Valley and River at the foot of the Rift Valley where the two meet up. This is where Saul and his sons were fleeing from the Moabites. Saul’s head was also displayed here thousands of years ago. Scythopolis is the New Testament city there. It is quite an impressive place. It is a very big and well built city. There was a large Roman Theater, a bathhouse, a cardo and a decumanos, and other great architectural wonders. There were even public toilets from the time. In Old Testament Beth Shan there was an occupation of Egyptians at one time in which a governor was put in place to oversee all happenings. At that time there was a mixture of both Pagan and Jewish practices. Scythopolis was one of the Decapolis cities and was the only one that extends that far west. This site reminded me a lot of Ephesus in Turkey, just on a smaller scale. Which makes sense because both were established in the same time period. It is also interesting because it is likely that Paul had also been if in the city, very close to it on his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus. After being in Beth Shan we made our way up to Mt. Gilboa. There was a really cool lookout there, but because of the rain, the glorious rain, is was a little difficult to see. This is where Saul’s camp was located when he fled and was killed by the Moabites as written in Judges six and seven. This is also where one of my favorite biblical stories happened. This is where Gideon was when God called him to fight. Gideon was in a winepress threshing grain while hiding. God calls out to him and calls him a mighty warrior. Here is Gideon, hiding, and scared, and God calls him a mighty warrior. God is so good about seeing us beyond what we see in ourselves. So God continues and calls Gideon to lead the army. Gideon, still scared, has thousands in his legion and hears the request of God to dwindle his legions, so he reduces several thousand, but then God requests him to give up even more. So Gideon fallows the requests of God and takes his men down to the stream to watch them drink. The ones that drank with their hands at their mouths were the ones God chose to fight for Him. This number was 300. That’s it! From thousands down the three hundred! So Gideon continues to assemble the 300 and goes to fight. His opposite has an innumerable amount of camels, let alone men, so needless to say, Gideon was a little overwhelmed. But God had a method to His madness, as He always does. He was reducing Gideon’s army to a number in which they could attribute the victory to no one but God. God was going to deliver the enemies into Gideon’s hands. The transformation of Gideon throughout the story is also quite notable. Gideon goes from being a timid and scared guy to the leader of God’s army. He even says in his battle cry “Follow Me”! He doesn’t say alright guys lets hope for the best, or even charge, he says follow me because of this new found confidence God was able to instill in him. It is such an amazing story of God’s awesome power, and the delight he takes in his children.
Impression Report #2
Galilee Day 2

Sunday was another amazing day of travel and sights! We started the day by going to Tel Dan where we saw some amazing things! It is such a beautiful place! There is a river than runs though it and everything around it is green. It was a refreshing change from the dryness of southern Israel. While there we stopped at Jeraboam’s palace and temple. It was interesting to see how big the alter was there and to discuss what exactly was the sin that Jeraboam has that is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. We also discussed the tribe of Dan and how they decided to settle this particular area because they did not enter into their true inheritance near the coast. Dan was not a bad place to settle though. They had more than enough water, more than enough land and good soil for agriculture. It was definitely a beautiful location. It reminded me a lot of the Stanislaus River back home. On our way out we stopped by the gate and talked about the different purposes of the gates. It amazes me how much activity went on at the gates. There really was so much that happened there. At this gate in particular there was a distinct alter type thing with decorative planters in which wooden poles holding a canopy would be placed. This is where the judgments of the city would happen. The king would hold hearings here and judge the people that came in to be judged.
After Dan we went to Caesarea Philipi which absolutely blew my mind. I was so impressed by it and thinking back on the conversation Jesus had with his disciples in Matthew was amazing. We looked up at where all these temples stood to all these Gods, the same ones Jesus looked at when he asked, “Who do you say I am”. I feel like God brings me to that every now and again. Something good in my life will happen and I will praise myself for the good job I have done an will often forget to praise the only one worthy of praise, God. He is so incredibly worthy and I shortchange Him every time, but he is gracious. Praise Him for that! It was nice also to be able to wander off while I was there and sit on the river and sing a song for Him, a song declaring who he is. He is God. Amen! Being there probably had the most impact on me.
After Caesarea we went over to Nimrod. The name cracks me up. But anyway, Nimrod was an old Crusader castle/fortress. It was really impressive! I had a blast exploring it and going through the secret passage ways and climbing to the tallest towers. That was so much fun!
Finally, we ended our day at the top of an extinct volcano in the Golan Heights. We could see into Syria and I was absolutely blown away by that! It was so cool! Also, we were able to climb through the trenches and bunkers of the hill from the 1967 war. It was amazing to go underground into the bunker and see where the soldiers slept and ate. There were even some plates left there. It was fun!

3 months!

It has been three months since I first wrote in this blog. It is truly amazing all that can happen in three months!

Care Package!

Thanks Cathy, Dad, Mom, and Rick for the care package! I have some funny stories to tell you about the DHL guy trying to find the school!

More links to more pictures... just copy and paste.. and then enjoy! :)

Garden Tomb/ Walk around the Old City Pictures

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014567&l=f6d3e&id=176801233

Negev Pictures Part Alef

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014647&l=04780&id=176801233

Negev Pictures Part Bet

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014668&l=7cf89&id=176801233

Negev Pictures Part Gimmel

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2014669&l=4fd5d&id=176801233

Negev Part Gimmel

This field study was by far the most fun and the most exhausting! We got up early to get on the road and drive to the base of Masada. Once we got there we began to climb. It was nice to have already hiked up that wadi beforehand, because after that Wadi, this seemed like it wasn’t going to be a big deal. We hiked up the Roman Siege ramp. It was really cool to be able to see where the camps had been that surrounded Masada. I was asking my professor about how a siege ramp would be built and why the Israelites at the top of Masada did nothing about it. I had this picture in my mind of Monty Python and the Holy Grail of the Israelites taunting the Romans while they were building the ramps tell them that their “mothers were hamsters and their fathers smelled of elderberries.” I didn’t understand why the Israelites would let the Romans build a ramp in the first place. But then my professor said that it was because the Romans most likely used slaves to build the ramps and their slaves were Israelites. So, the Israelites at Masada would and could not do anything to the people building the ramp because they were their brothers, cousins, fathers, etc… Masada was amazing and reading the stories of Josephus at the top was incredible. Josephus writes a story of the Jews living at Masada knowing that the siege was coming and they could not do anything about it. So they had a meeting and the leader of the group decided that it would be better to die than have the Romans steel the wives and children violently and kill the men, so the men had to kill their wives and children and then kill themselves and burn everything that could be looted by the soldiers. Josephus painted the people of Masada as these valiant Jews. You may wonder, well, how did Josephus get the story if everyone died? Well, it was said that a few women and children survived and told the story to the soldiers who came up to siege. After exploring the cisterns and palaces of Masada, it was time to climb down the other side of the cliff. Holy Toledo Cow! It was forever down. But amazing! Then we went to the Dead Sea to go swimming! It was one thing I was looking so forward to! The Dead Sea is super slimy and gross and you are so darn buoyant. It is like you are surrounded by life jackets. It is really funny because you can’t really control our body. You randomly roll over and have a hard time keeping your balance. I really don’t recommend tasting the water. I did it a few times because it splashed on to my face. The water is so salty and nasty and minerally (I don’t think that’s an actual word, but go with me on this one). It is disgusting! And it burns. Ouch! After that we went across the highway to En Gedi springs. This was absolutely beautiful! There were waterfalls and gorgeous pools of fresh water where we hiked up to and went swimming! It was amazing! It is so cool because they are surrounded by desert wilderness, but wherever the water mist hits is green. So beautiful! After the springs we went over to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. It was a pretty neat place and so awesome to see the different caves where they were found. Then we climbed (because that is what we do) up a rock crag to the top to hang out and take pictures. It was a blast! It was really hard… and my pants ripped on the sharp rock on the inseam near my knee, but it was fun!

Negev Field Study Part Bet

Sunday was another busy but incredible day! My roommates and I got up around 5 before the sunrise, got ready quickly, and walked out to the Maqtesh, which is like the Israeli equivalent to the Grand Canyon. We watched the sun come up slowly, first peaking over the other side of the crater, then continuing up to show the glory of God and his might. It was amazing! After going back to the hostel for breakfast our class went back out to the Maqtesh and shared in different ways how it reminded us of God. I was so blessed by our conversation! It reminded me of a worship song that goes, “Your love it deep, your love is high, your love is long, your love is wide…. Your love is deeper than my view of grace, higher than this worldly place, longer than this road I’ve traveled, wider than the gap you’ve filled.” It was breathtaking! Then we got on the bus and went to Avdat. At Avdat the biblical city of Obodah, we learned about the Nabateans. The Nabateans were the only group in history to successfully live in the desert wilderness of Israel. The became a wealthy people because of this and built fortified cities along the spic route which only they were able to control and travel. Because of this spice route to Gaza from the Arabian Peninsula, they became very very rich and built cities like Petra our of the sandstone to house their money. We will be going there soon, as well. After Avdat we made our way to the Wadi Zin where we climbed up through a canyon! I climbed up a canyon! It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was a blast! The canyon was a part of a larger wadi system. It was formed by water erosion. While on the climb/hike we saw lots of Ibex along the ridge. They are so adorable! Once we finished our hike we drove to the tel Be’er Sheva which is where Abraham set up some of his camp when he came into Israel and dug 7 wells. None of the wells have been found yet. The Iron Age well (Iron Age = time of United Monarchy of Israel) was massively deep! We threw rocks into it and they took several seconds to hit the bottom. I think we counted 6 seconds. The wells in those times were social gatherings for single women. There are several bible stories in which men find wives at the well. These include Moses and Isaac. Then we went over to see a 4 room house. This was a typical home at the time. The size of the home is about 20 ft x 12 ft. The ENTIRE home! The rooms are about big enough to fit 2 people layng down. It consists of a back room, two guest rooms (which are called Inns) and a front room where the animal would normally be housed in the winter to keep the home warm. When Jesus was born, he was most likely born at the end of summer. This would mean that all of Joseph’s family would have been visiting in Bethlehem for the harvest and all the animals would have been out at pasture for the night. So, the guest rooms of the 4 bedroom homes would have been full of relatives and the front animal room would have been vacant because of the animals being gone. This is the most likely place that Jesus would have been born. Interesting, huh? After Be’er Sheva we went to Arad, where there is an exact replica of the first temple in Jerusalem, just on a smaller scale. It was really cool to be able to see that. One thing I thought was really interesting. At the time that the temple was built there was great confusion in the identity of God. It was commonly believed that God was a man and that he had a wife named Ashterah. This was confirmed by the two alters and pottery found in the area that contained both names.

Negev Part Alef

Field Study on Saturday went to Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Lachish, and to Ashkelon. Beth Shemesh was amazing for its views of Zorah and Eshtaol. Zorah was where Samson was born. Samson was born into a Jewish family and was raised up in the Nazarite Vow to become a judge. However, he chose to do something that few men would do, he married outside the tribe and family to a philistine woman, Delilah. Delilah lived around the bend of the Elah Valley at a Philistine village. It would not have been far for Samson to travel to have seen her. This was not a common practice at the time because the Israelites did not want their inheritances to be shared with other people groups, but Samson was determined. After Delilah betrayed him and handed him over to the Philistines, he died from a caved roof. He was then buried between Zorah and Eshtaol at the saddle of the mountain in the Elah Valley. Our next stop was Azekah. This is where the Philistine Army had a large fortress that held the Elah Valley. Elah Valley is where the Israelite army of Saul’s time was camped. This is the place where David fought Goliath! It blows my mind to think about the situation. Little David with great faith, and big foolish Goliath. Goliath was taunting God and the Israeilite army day after day and no one was stepping up to the plate. David was just bringing his brothers food from home and saw what was going on during his visit. He was disgusted that someone would speak out against his God and decided that he would be the one to do something about it. He did not fit into Saul’s armor, and realized, that putting it on just implied he was not trusting God, so he took it off and went to battle Goliath. As we read the story aloud and looked down upon the valley below us from Azekah I could see the story unfold. Something, this time, stuck out. Every person, it seems, has heard a David and Goliath sermon about faith. But it never really hit until I was standing there, literally. It says that David RAN toward Goliath. RAN! Can you believe it?! That is faith! No holding back, but instead barreling down toward his enemy knowing God has already taken care of it. Amen! Also at Azekah we climbed down into the caves in the area. We crawled through them. Scripture mentions that David would hide in the caves and would find booby traps in them. It was cool to see those traps. They were random holds along where you crawl so the enemy would fall into them to slow them in their pursuit. After climbing around in the caves we were able to see ancient Gath from the top of the hill which is where Goliath was born. The next site we visited was Lachish where the Assyrians and Israelites fought over the Shephelah or lowlands. This was vital to controlling the international trade of the Coastal Plains. It was so neat to be able to walk up the fortified city and see where a once great palace was, a wall, etc… It is funny how buildings deteriorate over time. Finally, we went to Ashkelon on the coast where the oldest arched gate can be found. It was built in the bronze age which is the same time as the patriarchs (Abraham/Isaac). It is remarkable that is was still there because it was made of mud brick. While we were there we were also able to dip our feet in the Mediterranean Sea. It was absolutely beautiful! It was really warm, too! One thing I forgot to mention that on one of our stops we say Roman Mile markers. They looked a lot like standing stones.

Jerualem on Yom Kippur

So, today is Yom Kippur or "the day of atonement" and everything is dead silent. All Jewish people today are fasting and resting and going to synagogue. It is crazy because they are not allowed to drive anywhere or shop or do anything productive so the entire city is silent. No cars are driving down the streets, no stores are open, nothing is going on. It is so strange that it is so quiet because normally we would be able to hear a billion (exaggeration) cars honking their horns outside (because that is what people do here... you think New York honking is bad... it has nothing on Jerusalem!). So it feels kinda eerie.

This coming weekend...

We are going to the Dead Sea to go swimming, so Megan and I prepared for it by having a Dead Sea mud mask party!

Ilene on the Lord...

During one of my first weeks Israel, I went to the book store at Christ Church, the only Protestant church in the Old City. Megan and I stopped to ask a lady there about some devotional books and she gladly showed us the section. Then I proceeded to ask her where she was from, her name, and just some trivial questions. She boldly replied with "my name is Ilene, you can remember that because 'I lean on the Lord'!" She cracked me up. Then we got to talking about why she was here in Israel. She felt God telling her to come to Jerusalem for this time in her life, and she obeyed. In 2005 her daughter passed away after going through a bout with an illness. As Ilene explained the situation to me, her eyes began to well up with tears and her voice quivered but you could see this hope that she had behind all of it. She had been carrying her daughter's ashes with her since she passed. She never let go. I can not even imagine how difficult something like that would be. She proceeded to tell me that she knew it was something for her to let go of, but she did not know how to. She did not think she ever could let go of it. She was torn until she went to the garden tomb North of the Old City. She was there, with her daughter's ashes, looked around, praying. A woman walked up to her and told her, "I feel pressed by God to tell you something." Ilene, knowing full well that her heart was in turmoil broke down in tears. The woman told her, "you are carrying something with you... and God wants you to know that it is okay to let it go". It is okay to let it go... those words as Ilene tole her story to me really hit me. I could relate. Hurts and frustrations... its okay.. God, the God of the universe says it is okay to let them go. Jesus wants to take them and release you from them. I started to tear up as Ilene continued. Right then as the woman spoke to her she brought out the ashes and spread them at the Garden Tomb. When she did there was a release that she had not felt in three years. Three years of pain, bondage, were being released in one cathartic experience. When Ilene delineated this part of her story she looked into my eyes and smiled. She gave a little giggle of freedom and knew that everything was already taken care of. God was in charge and everything was going to be ok. Ilene then went on to tell me more about her experiences here, the crankiness of the Muslim men during the days of Ramadan because of their fasting, her crazy roommate experiences in the hostels... all with such joy and delight. I got lost in her stories... she is such an incredibly beauiful woman. From then on, whenever I would go into the Old City I would stop by the book store to see her, give her a hug and hear more about her love for God and people. She blew my mind! :) Then, we started to run into eachother in other places too. Yesterday, my roommates and I went to the garden tomb and walked around the gardens. It is definitely not the place where Jesus was buried, but its foliage is incredible! Bright beautiful flowers, thick beautiful trees. A glimpse of Eden. We walked around and I took pictures, and as I went to one end, there was Ilene! We talked about the latest crazy hostel roommmates she had and she shared a vivid vision of the passion of the Christ to me, which made me well up with tears. I have learned so much from her, about caring for people, about passion, about love and freedom. Definitely a divine appointment, no other explanation.

Shopping in the New City...

Its expensive but so much fun! Teresa and I went to the Mamilla Mall in the new city and went shopping because I needed some winter-y clothes that I forgot to bring. eeks... We did not have a field study this weekend so we just hung out at school, Robert and I went to the Old City to take pictures and we tried to go up to the Dome of the Rock, but it was closed.

Shana Tovah and rain!

I believe I mentioned a few days ago that it was about a billion and a half degrees outside. That stinks. But I have beyond splendiferous news... The heavens opened up and released rain upon the land! The skies are clearer and the temperature is a lot more tollerable. The Jewish new year (which was just yesterday), Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of the agricultural calendar. These "early rains" are what prepares the soil and makes it prime for cultivation throughout the rest of the year. It is considered a blessing from God for His people who keep Torah.

Culture change: its a shocking experience

A professor of mine back at Vanguard talked about the process of culture shock. When you first arrive in a country up until about the 3rd or 4th week you are there, everything is new and exciting. Things you get to see and try seem like an adventure and it is very much honeymoon-esque. But just after that period of time is over you definitely feel a little homesick and the reality of your decision truly sets in. This is culture shock. The shock that nothing around you is quite familiar. There are not so many conveniences because you have not been brought up in this society. That is soooo true. After having been here in one city for a month and only having the option to get out of this one place when I am going to study is silightly frustrating. It is hard not to be able to just hop in the car and go somewhere or have the familiar stores that you can go to to get the everyday things you are used to. Such a bummer. But, I will tell you one thing is for sure: I will never take another Rite-Aid for granted. :)