Welcome to Tel Aviv, Where the Men are HOT.

So one of the things that I first noticed about Israel is that it is chock full of beautiful men. Aside from the unnaturally large percentage of men experiencing hair loss, there is a level of hotness here, a swagger, an attitude that Israeli men have that makes me insane. I'm giving myself whiplash looking at everyone. I have crushes on 3 different men right now, which surpasses the total number of men I had crushes on in 6 1/2 years in Charleston, South Carolina.

My Hebrew is still woefully bad, but I am working on it. And I begin Ulpan (language institute) in July. Then, I should at least be mildly conversant. For now, I find that most people speak English, at least enough to combine with ridiculous-looking charades to get my point across.

I know how to say a few important phrases: "I need a big latte", "I have three cats", How much does this cost?" and "Where are the bathrooms?". These few phrases can get me through the day. I have found that I can read Hebrew, but I don't necessarily know what the words mean. I try to read every sign I walk by and recognize as many words as I can.

There is this one thing that chaps my ass a little, though. People think it is 'cute' when I say something wrong in Hebrew. What I need is for them to correct me. The cute jeweler up the street corrected me, in a very kind way, when I incorrectly asked "what are you doing". I forgot the damn pronoun. Hebrew pronouns are the bane of my existence. They are freakishly multitudinous. It depends on whether it is the subject or the object. There are words for "for me, for you, for him" etc, instead of having a word "from" and then the pronoun. There is a pattern, and I understand it when someone explains it to me, but then I forget and say it wrong. I mostly practice my Hebrew by sending text messages to my friends that way. Keren, my best friend here, will correct me if I text or email something wrong, but everyone else lets it slide. Then they practice their English with me. It is a funny little game.

I have not yet gone out to experience Israeli night life, but I have only been here one week. There is plenty of time. I still have so much bureaucratic shit to do, that nightlife is the least of my concerns.

Tomorrow, I will go to get my permanent Israeli ID and find a rug for the living room floor. I will also go to a yoga class. I'll be sure to report back.