Living in Jerusalem

May 23, 2017

While our Dialogue is primarily based out of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, we’re actually doing quite a bit of moving around while we’re here. In Jerusalem, the entire group is staying on one floor of a local apartment building, equipped with full kitchens and bathrooms. Our landlord Noam has been helpful and welcoming, and our neighborhood has been accessible and easy to navigate. Rehavia, the name for our area of town, is an old part of West Jerusalem that is centrally located and known for being the home of Israel’s prime minister. On days when it’s not too hot, it’s very easy to walk to the supermarket or a falafel shop for lunch. I’ve really enjoyed living in the apartment because it feels similar to my living situation in Boston, so it feels more familiar (besides the fact that we have a street cat who often likes to wander into our building’s stairwell). I’m able to cook my own food and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without having to leave the house, so it brings some of the comforts of home to Jerusalem. It’s been a while since I’ve shared a room, but my roommate and I have gotten along well – and by the time we get back from our jam-packed days, all we really have time for is sleep!

We’re a small group divided into three adjacent apartments, and this setup has really allowed us to bond. Since my apartment has the biggest living room, we often become the congregating area for the other two apartments; we’ll share meals together or complete our assignments in each other’s company, or simply reflect on our days. Even though it hasn’t been long, I feel like my classmates and I have done a good job of building our own little community, which is really important when dealing with some of the heavy topics we’ve been discussing. Living and working together allows us to decompress together and perhaps share the challenges we’re facing. Given our proximity and small size, it’s been quite easy to get to know everyone, and I think we’ve established a trusting relationship that will be necessary for the duration of the semester.

Written By

Nalini Ramachandran

Hi! My name is Nalini, and I'm participating in the Israel-Palestine dialogue to get out of my comfort zone, both physically and mentally. I strongly believe that one of the best ways to learn about an issue, subject, or country is to immerse yourself in it completely - travel is one of the best forms of education. My goal for my four short weeks is to come away with a better understanding of one of the most pervasive conflicts in the Middle East, and maybe even the world. Follow my blog to see how the field trips, meetings, and class discussions help me on my journey towards this goal!