Our First B7 Shabbos

Erev Shabbat, Friday, was a busy day in B7.

First thing in the morning, I went off to do some errands and random purchases - wine for our Shabbos hosts, a swim cap, plastic forks and plates (our stuff is STILL not here). Then, I went to explore the open market that takes place every Friday in the streets of the old city in Beer Sheva. It was a motley mix of Arab and Russian sellers selling a random array of electronics, artwork, and baked goods. It seemed like every old man in Beer Sheva was there eating a falafel with all the toppings at 10:30 in the morning.

I returned to apartment to find three beautiful little Israeli girls coloring on the floor with Maya and Avital. Our landlord was meeting with Andy about the many little problems in our otherwise lovely apartment and he brought his daughters along. It was a full house and I did my very first hosting - passing out pretzels and juices in a bag (Israeli style).

After the meeting, we rushed to meet two couples and their kids for a Friday outing at a local outdoor pool. The kids had a great time and it was great for us to talk other young families about life in B7.

Back to the apartment in time to rest and shower for Shabbat.

We did not have a long walk to dinner. Across the hall! Maya and Avital love being able to just cross the hall to our neighbors - they didn't even wear shoes! Our neighbors' home is always filled with TONS of teenagers - their own kids, foster kids, their kids' friends and their friends' friends. Shabbos dinner included about ten different salatim and five different meats! Maya and Avital were entertained by their two dogs and their spinning lazy boy chair but by 11 pm, I decided it was time to make the long trek home and call it a night.

The next day we walked to another home for shabbos lunch. Of course, in Israel, lunch was called for 11:30 am since Shul begins at 8 (needless to say, we didn't make it to shul)! But, lunch was lovely and we met warm, interesting, and friendly people.

SHABBOS NAP!!!!

Walk to Reena's, Playground.