Sheleg!

Snow in Jerusalem? What? This snow resulted in my first snow day since high school. Jerusalem is definitely not prepared for any amount of snow. Weather forecasts of a possible snow storm sent the city into chaos. My school kept sending us emails and SMS (text messages) warning us that class might be cancelled Wednesday and to make sure to stock up on groceries, because the whole city would shut down at the slightest sign of snow.

Doubting that there would actually be snow, yet still hopeful, we decided to go out to the Village Bar (on the first floor of the dorm next door) for Tuesday night karaoke and a girls’ night out. It was empty at first, but packed with other hopeful students in just a matter of time. We had a great time turning the bar into our own club, dancing and singing along to the music. I went up with a new friend and sang Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” while our other friends and roommate sang “Lady Marmalade.” It was nothing short of hilarious.

As we left the bar the snow was coming down. Shouts of “sheleg, sheleg!” resounded across the student village as we skipped and jumped around in the falling snow.

An SMS this morning answered our hopes “Following the windy forecast there will be no classes today at the Hebrew University and in Rothberg International School.” A relaxing day of sleeping in, chatting in PJs and watching movies followed. Now we are just watching the snow hoping for no class tomorrow. What a hard life.