Differences

When you get used to living somewhere the differences that seemed so obvious when you began tend to blend in with life as you get adjusted... quickly the differences become the norm... I'm still waiting for that to happen... but enjoying the "journey" along the way.

Tacoma and Jerusalem- Are they really that different?

1. When you want to buy groceries in Jerusalem and don't want to sell yourself in order to pay for them... you walk 2 miles to the outdoor market. You can buy meat, bread, veggies, toilet paper, shoes, radios... it is a one stop shop!

2. When people living in Jerusalem throw their hands up with some sort of orderly motion, relax... they are praying- not throwing gang signs.

3. Toilet paper? What toilet paper? If you do have some, it only goes in the waste basket NOT the toilet.

4. In Jerusalem, if you need to cross the street do NOT wait for the cars to stop... even if you are in a cross walk. You will wait all day. You jump in front of those cars and walk proudly (they will stop).

5. Jeans under skirts, sweatshirts under tank tops= one outfit. I love this!

6. In Jerusalem you are considered an outcast if you don't worship a God... a little different than home.

7. Only in Jerusalem can you tell a shop keeper that what he sells is way too expensive for the cheaply made item... then walk away with a better quality product that you got for the same price as the cheap trinket...after all "for you there was a special price"

8. When leaving the country security inspects EVERYTHING in your checked luggage as well as carry on. Nothing like having your undies on display at the airport!

9. Tourists are everywhere... if you don't believe me look for the colored hats- they are all hot pink and matching.

10. You can eat falaffel for days and move on to Shwarma... then hummous... then pita... then... oh the list goes on and on.