I may have actually found a place to live. After all the searching and worry, could it be true? The road leading up to the university is called Rechov Einstein. After an intentionally short day at work, I left campus, walked down Einstein intending on heading home for a quick shower and shave before going to a realtor. About half way down the block, I ran into Niko. (Some of you may recall that the last time I went to Cairo, I took the bus from Tel Aviv. Niko and his partner, Erin (my classmate and friend) joined me for the trip down). He told me that they'd just found a place - after their landlord also jacked their rent sky-high. I mentioned that I was also looking. He suggested that there might be another flat in their new building and to give his new landlord, Kobi, a call.
Grabbing a bus, I high-tailed it home for a shower, and then, gave Kobi a ring. He invited me to come see the flat right away. When I got there, the movers were hauling Erin and Niko's furniture up the stairs. From the outside, it wasn't much to look out. It's in a poor neighborhood in a very busy street. Kobi met me there and showed me two apartments. After seeing postage stamp apartments (12 m
2 for an entire apartment may be okay if you live in Japan and are measuring your living quarters in tatami), it was encouraging to see a flat with a little breathing room. There's an entrance area with enough room for a table, perhaps. To the right, is a hallway to the kitchen. Off the hall is a bathroom (toilet, sink, shower). The kitchen is large and completely new (floors, cabinets, sink, counter, fixtures). At the far end of the kitchen is an area large enough for a table and a washing machine. The windows open almost completely from waist to ceiling, creating the feeling that one is actually sitting on the balcony. The main room is quite big - about 4 times the size of my current space. There is a small, sunny balcony begging for plants. Double doors opening onto the balcony make the room is bright, and like the whole flat, has high ceilings, though, there are shutters for a mid-day siesta.
I walked around the neighborhood a bit. It feels more like Cairo than Tel Aviv. North Tel Aviv, where I am now, is fine - but it always seemed too sterile for me. I feel more at home in a mixed, working-class neighborhood. I spotted two bicycle shops on my block ~ a very good omen!
I will have to find a fridge, a gas stove, and a washing machine, but I think this place will definitely work for me. It will be incredibly good to be on my own again after more than two years of roommates in tight quarters. I've been feeling this urge to nest, and I hope I can at least make the place feel like home. I already know that I have wonderful neighbors. The transportation from the new place to the university is faster and cheaper than from here in north Tel Aviv. There is a train station a 5-minute walk away. The train goes right to the university and the trip takes 12 minutes. A monthly train pass is 132 shekels ($30 and change) - so, cheaper than the bus. I hope to get the papers signed this week and get moved in Sunday morning before Yom Kippur. This is a major relief!
In today's post, I received a large envelope from my bank. Enclosed was a music cd and Rosh Hashana wishes for a good new year. This is truly a strange and wonderful country.
Tags: apartment hunting, erin, kobi, niko
Current Location: buried in the new IKEA catalogue...
Current Mood: 
hugely relieved
Current Music: Palestrina: Canticum canticorum שיר השירים (Rome, 1584)
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nir1's journal
Bicycles are bliss!
Sleepy