Getting to the Farm

So I made it to the farm! I woke up way early and waited until 8:30 for check out. The place I stayed was really pretty and I wish that I could have stayed for longer (you know, perhaps 24 hours or something). Anyways, I was only able to find where to check out because I saw someone who was up and asked. The checkout place was Sergio’s house across the street. I went to check out and he was so nice. He helped me figure out how to get from the main bus terminal to the stop that I needed. He called two bus places and told me that this was the first time that someone actually picked up when he called (in his entire life). I thanked him and headed out, as I was walking he asked if I knew where I was going and I said yes.

I had written walking directions down but honestly, no I had no idea where I was going, where I was, or what I was doing…at all! The first person I asked led me to the right street. The second person lead me that street further down. The last person lead me to the bus that I needed to take to get to the bus station. He said we would pretend I was his girlfriend to get the bus (?). The bus stopped and he gave the driver where I needed to go.

On the bus I went to pay and the guy thought it was strange that I did not sit down and just pass the money up. He told me it was 5 but after I gave him a 20 and got only change back I realized he meant 15. Another man on the bus was amused by the situation and helped me as he was getting off at the same spot. This guy was a bit creepy…

We went into the main bus terminal (which if he had not lead me in, I would not have gone in, it did not look like a bus station). I needed to go through some guy checking my bag. I opened it, hoping it would close. Then he wanted me to open my suitcase. It was heavy as heck and I was glad he lifted it. He just poked around, not sure if it was how I looked or the line that was forming behind me. He did not question any of my heavy wrapped goods that were on the bottom of the suitcase (it would have been a pain to get them out!).

The creepy guy walked with me and asked for my number. I said I did not have a phone (not sure if this is a good thing to say when people ask but it was the middle of the day and lots of people around). He said okay and I went towards the ticket booth. The lady was a complete “I hate my job and life” stereotype fit and when I asked for a ticket she told me to walk to the other end of the terminal. I did and asked at the security booth who told me that I needed to just pay the bus driver.

The buses were running to where I needed every 30 minutes and just my luck, the bus just pulled up. I put my luggage underneath the bus and paid and sat. The entire time of the time the driver, a young guy, was talking to some older guy; showing him his bus route, the money he had, and talking about the ticket machine. I do not remember ever being in one lane, except for when he dropped people off at the side of the road. Around 40 minutes later (the time my trip should have taken) I reminded him I was there and he said it was coming up.

It was around the same time that I started to notice that many of the bus stops were just on the side of the highway. Nothing around. Nothing. Now, this was a problem as a) my cell phone has no more money on it as London ate up my time b) Amir has no idea I am here c) I have no idea where the farm is. Lucky for me the stop had a phone next to it and a little grocery store nearby. I went to the phone to use up the change that I had been purposely saving for this and saw it only took cards. I went into the store and they said that they did not sell phone cards and that I had to go to the post office down the road.

Off I went in heat that I had forgotten about, a crazy heavy book bag and luggage. Along the way some girl stopped and said something to me. I thought she was asking for directions and I shrugged and shook my head no. I made it to the post office right behind this girl. She said something (seemed a bit nasty) in Hebrew to me. When I did not respond she said something else. I told her that I did not speak Hebrew and she apologized saying that she had just offered me a ride. I thanked her and told her that I was good. I bought my phone card (the lady said it was short, only 20 minutes) and headed to the phone. After about 3 minutes of trying to figure out what to do and how it worked I reached Amir (thank god I had enough battery on my computer to get the number!) He said that he would be there in 5 minutes.

5 minutes later, there he was. He was very nice and immediately showed me the farm. Pomegranate trees, chickens, his grandmother’s house, his parent’s house, the fruit trees, the planting beds, the compost, the hot house, and Jonathan; the other volunteer. For one week it will just be us. He has been here for 4 months. He lived in the states until he was a teenager, headed to Holland for a while, went to college in Michigan and then came to Israel. He would like to start a life here and this is just getting him started.