And we're off!

Right now I'm sitting at my computer enjoying a last treif-filled breakfast (Bui's Bacon, egg and cheese... not exactly kosher eh?) before hopping on a plane at 3:20 this afternoon. I'm super excited, though it doesn't feel real yet. My guess is it won't until I reach Ben-Gurion Airport. I think in the last two weeks I've had a nightmare about every possible travel glitch — lost passport, lost books, lost computer, lost luggage, lost Hannah... but (knock on wood) that will be as far as any of those will get.

My wonderful, wonderful friends came over last night for dinner and an intense game of taboo — a perfect Philly send-off. While I can't wait to get going, its also kind of hard to leave... if only I could be two places at once, or shove everyone in my suitcase or something. I'll have email while I'm away (except for perhaps the first week) so keep me posted on what's going on!

Alright, it's time for me to finish cramming an excessive amount of socks into my over-stuffed duffel. I hope you all have a good two months. Keep in touch!


Love
h

Maybe a Lau can be a Goliath

With less than two weeks to go I've gone into semi-hibernation mode, pouring over articles pertaining to my thesis and guidebooks with gorgeous pictures of Petra.

But there is one thing that wasn't included in Louis, my Lonely Planet best friend (named not for Louis and Clark, but rather for Louise, the GPS system that saved me and my mom oh so many times, without ever yelling at us)... Mini Israel.

When I went to have my pre-dig physical exam at Student Health last week, my doctor told me about a theme park near Latrun Junction, "less than an hours' drive from most people," like most things in Israel.

The park consists of replicas of Israeli sites of cultural, religious, historical and archaeological significance, all miniature (think dollhouse sized), arranged in a Star of David pattern. What an example of deliberately creating a selective history!

I don't know how accessible it will be from Revadim, but I hope we manage to get there, if just for a few minutes. I think it'd be a fascinating example of all the stuff I've been reading about, how people selectively remember what they want as a culture to bolster their sense of nationality.

Plus, I'm pretty sure it will be my only chance to feel like a giant, sort of like most of my friends must feel when visiting the Lau house.

3 Weeks to go!

In exactly three weeks I'll be setting of on my big summer adventure to Petra, and Israel, including a month at Tell es-Safi/Gath. I guess its a little premature to start blogging about it, but that should tell you how excited I am about it. Ridiculously excited. Insanely excited. Insert emphatic adjective here excited.

On the one hand, I've got three weeks to prepare! On the other hand, I've got three weeks to prepare? Gah! Luckily this year I know what I'm getting myself into. I had an amazing experience at Safi last summer and have been day dreaming about it since I got back. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and sights, and finding out what comes next in the Tell story.

I will have a lot of new experiences this summer, all new and exciting and (some) even a little scary. And of course, missing home and friends, which, no matter where I live or travel is always a thing. I hope to hear from you all. I'll be thinking of you tons!

Let the count down begin!