and away we go....

So we made Aliyah 3 weeks ago after more than 30 years of talking about it. I know I am supposed to feel different but I don't, yet. Getting set up was pretty easy. When we landed we were met at the gate and escorted to an office. Within an hour we were Israeli. Strangely before we left the office we were handed an envelope with about 2500 NIS ( about $650 USD). I was not sure if I was supposed to hand over drugs or something but it was a bit weird. Otherwise it could not have gone better. I couldn't understand all the complaints about bureaucracy. Everything had been so smooth.

It was a tease.

What we found out is that  to set up a permanent life here  entails a lot of paper work and patience. I have none of the latter and am in need of some major behavior modification.

For example to change a drivers license form overseas to Israeli, which you must do within a year, involves 8 separate steps (http://www.nbn.org.il/aliyahpedia/government-services/drivers-license-cars/converting-foreign-drivers-license/) and will cost $250 USD.

Another thing, appointments are not appointments.

We went to meet a doctor ( step 3 for the license) and had an 1130 am appointment. we were seen at 1230 , which we were later told was very good. For an entire hour we sat in a room with people coughing on us and not troubling with covering their mouths. Incidentally when we finally got in to see the doctor we told her we had made Aliyah from Manhattan she responded by asking why we would do that.( we are so dumb, in Hebrew Friar)  She then took a private phone call and when done  asked for 100 NIS in cash as it seems the doctors collect money directly.

Another example is when we went to the office of the Misrad Haklita ( ministry of immigration). As part of the Aliyah process you are entitled to an amount of money which is then deposited in your account over 6 months. It seems the envelope with cash is the first payment. Before you can get this you must open an account and then have the bank sign an stamp  a letter that you have an account ( there is a lot of stamping). This only took an hour and a half. We then called for an appointment with the immigration office. Someone got back to us after 5 days and gave us one a week later at 1130 am ( a good time for us) . We were told to bring the stamped letter as well as proof that there was money in the account.  We showed up on time and proceeded to wait another hour. We submitted the requested documentation but were then told that they could not send the money as we only had USD in our account and they could not be sure this new Israeli account could accept NIS. I reminded her that she asked for proof that there was money in the account and she said she meant NIS and implied I should have known that. I then said why would the bank sign ( and Stamp) a letter for the Misrad Haklita which they know is to get NIS payments if I could not accept such payments. She said that is how it is done and she needs proof . She also told us that if we leave the country between the 1st and 10th of a month they will freeze the payments.  The only way to unfreeze is to make another appointment and see her again and sign another letter ( which I am sure she will then stamp). I asked her how she would know we were out of the country.  She said that they are told by customs. I then asked why in that case  she would not know when I was back. It seems sarcastic logic is not appreciated. we will have to go back

to be continued...