[img]96|left|Shachar||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — If you think gasoline is expensive in the U.S., it is nothing compared to the price in Israel. Although it is not measured by the gallon here, but by the liter, the equivalent would be about $8 a gallon. It is expected to rise almost 3 percent more because the oil market is unstable due to the volatile situation in Arab countries throughout the Middle East. No wonder so many families have no car or only one car. It can get very expensive. Public transportation by train and bus is somewhat affordable, and getting even more so. The Minister of Transport in Israel announced bus tickets will be reduced almost 30 percent to encourage Israelis to ride, not drive.

In town I usually walk everywhere. In inclement weather, I take a “monit,” which means “taxi” in Hebrew. I have two taxi drivers who take me everywhere at reduced prices. It is good to know I can rely upon them. They also wait for me to finish my errands or appointments when I travel to other cities. I imagine they pick up fares in those areas in the interim. But it is comforting to me to know that all I have to do is call when I am finished and they are at my destination within minutes to return me home.

They Are ‘Only’ Words?

As for learning Hebrew, I am practicing with my friend’s children. They do not know English, and I am illiterate in Hebrew. They have been showing me various toys and objects. They say the word in Hebrew, I say it in English, and we both learn. I am finding I have more of a Hebrew vocabulary than I thought I did. Lately I have actually had to communicate in Hebrew. I can say a few sentences and “speak” with my hands. I think my pronunciation of Hebrew is awful. Sometimes people prefer to speak to me in English just so I do not continue to butcher the Hebrew language.

When the English pharmacist said “Isn't it about time that you learned Hebrew?” I realized people must think I am an absolute moron. Somehow I work into the conversation that I am an attorney, “Ani orechet din.” And then I say that before that I was a cop, “Lifnei ani shoteret.” Of course my Hebrew sentences have no verbs, so all I am doing is showing that I am a moron after all. But my two most often spoken sentences are “Ani lo medeberet Ivrit, rak Anglit,” or “I do not speak Hebrew, only English,” and “Ani lo mevina Ivrit,” or “I do not understand Hebrew.”

I can write and spell my name in Hebrew. I even know my numbers. Perhaps I have a promising future here after all. So, “l'hitraot,” which means the same as “hasta la vista” or “Auf wiedersehen” or “see you soon”. From “Dawn,” or “Shachar” in Hebrew.