Absorbtion Center

I know it has been a while since I wrote in last, but I am here now in Kfar Saba. The BLS class is finished now and tonight I will be doing an overnight shift in Hertzelia. I have still yet to get a beach but there are definite plans of it soon. I finally managed to get a little shopping done as well. The bus and train system in Israel is pretty quick but not too user friendly.

The absorbtion center is cramped and a little dirty but still livable. My appartment is about the size of a studio in the city, except 2 people live in it instead of 1. The center is full of Russians and Ethiopians, many of whom do not know English and who are still learning Hebrew. Language barriers abound. My Hebrew is constantly improving since I am speaking it more and trying to read Israeli newspapers. All of the MDA volunteers at the center plus another who we co-opted eat with us and of course I cook.

I feel bad for the girls who live on the basement floor. They get all the roaches. My room is just hot as hell and has a neighbor who blares annoying techno at all hours. More interesting things will come once I actually start running calls.

Almost done with BLS class

I know I have not written in a while. Access to internet has been spotty but I am making do. Many things happened between this post and the last. The MDA has now been officially recognized by the International Red Cross in Switzerland. The best part is our logo will not be changed to the red crystal. This at least holds true for ambulances in Israel. There are still ongoing negotiations for what it will be on abroad missions. I have learned a bit more on the Israeli EMS system in class. Apparently the ambulance driver is the one in charge of scenes and we will never be officer for a call. I also learned totally different styles of bandaging and learned I may actually tourniquet someone. This is as opposed to doing EMS in America where the tourniquet is frowned upon. I am having a lot of fun bonding with everyone on the program.

A class prank which we did was boarding someone up and taking her down 3 flights of steps to our instructors outside. They were less than amused but liked the initiative we took. The class will be over soon and we will disburse to our stations. I will be looking forward to visiting the beach in Tel Aviv. There have been plenty of pictures taken, but I will need to screen them for content before they make it here. I will have more to write about once I get to see calls again.

I have arrived

I flew out late on the 18th. The flight was not too crowded surprisingly. I was in an aisle seat as luck would have it. I also even met others from the MDA on the flight. I even managed a few hours of precious sleep on the flight. 10 hours later when I touched down it was still a shock that I was now in the holy land and not in Glen Cove.

When I finally got to the hostel where I am staying I met up with others who had been there a while before us. We all went downtown and had some fun.

Cellcom however is not fun. I bought a prepaid SIM card from them and it has not worked. I instead will be getting a different SIM card which hopefully works.

What will be fun is the fact that the people I have met so far have been nothing sort of amazing. We all have been having a great time. So far today we whizzed through CPR without using a bag and mixed some medical Hebrew in as well. Tomorrow will be more EMT-B in a box and a dash to get my new SIM card.

Last night in the US

My flight leaves tomorrow night. Bags are all packed. It's go time!!

Almost finished prepping

School is done for the year. I am now proud owner of a monster sized metal framed backpack. A money belt will be in my possesion soon as well. Packing will commence soon for my flight which leaves in a week. Not much to write now as I am still on American soil.