Day # 3 on the job- Jerusalem

Today was awesome. Since I had gotten to work way to early the previous two days, I decided not to rush out of the house after I picked up Tiki and Eitan from Gan and babysitting. It was a lot nicer not rushing and the bus came 1 minute after I got there, so I ended up getting to the Central Bus station at 2:15, 45 minutes early. Since it was a nice day, I decided to walk to work, instead of taking a bus from the Central Bus Station. I was going to take the back way and Walk down Agrippas, which would take me right by Machane Yehudah (Shuk-the large open air market). This is one of my favorite places in Israel, and I love going there, even if I don't need anything (although gumballs are so ridiculously cheap there, I almost always buy some). I called Caryn and asked if she needed anything, and she gave me a list of fruits and vegetables to buy, since they are dirt cheap at the Shuk. I walked around for a little bit, and finally bought what I needed. As I was walking out, it dawned on me that I was actually living in Israel, working in Jerusalem, going to the SHuk, not as a tourist, but as a resident, and I could go back whenever I wanted. It was a vary exciting moment. The fact that I was listening to Israeli songs on my Ipod also probably helped.

At work, which I was still early for, we listed to some sample debt collection calls, and it was very encouraging, as the person we were supposed to model ourselves after, was definitely someone I can be (or at least fake being). As my father always says, be sincere whether you mean it or not. Essentially, the entire job is about bluffing the debtor into paying money that they owe. I left feeling confident that I could do it.

What was even better, was my analysis of the pizza situation for lunch. I was explaining to my colleagues, that the price of pizza per slice in the states is cheaper than in Israel. However, the cost of a pie, is usually equivalent to the cost of anywhere between 6 and 7 slices. In Israel, while the cost of a slice is more, the cost of a pie is only the equivalent of 5 to 6 slices, thereby making a pie much more cost effective. Naturally, I backed up my thesis which actual facts. At SBarros, the cost of a slice is an astounding 14 shekel per slice (approximately $3.68). However, the cost of a pie is only 65 shekel ($17.10). Therefore, the cost of a pie is actually less than the cost of 5 slices, which is really unusual. Since we are in a heavily touristy area, I'm sure the prices are jacked up. In any case, my arguments were convincing, and we went out for dinner and ordered a pie. I also had a drink analysis, but I think they were tuning me out at that point (suffice it to say, I got a 16oz bottle coke for less than 2 shekel by the time I was done). You may be thinking I have too much time on my hands to come up with all of this, but actually, these kinds of things come to me rather quickly. We got to leave early for New Years Eve, and I was home at 11 PM, which was nice. Overall, a great work day.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year, even through we don't really care about this holiday in Israel, as our new year was 3 months ago.