If I ever wanted to feel Russian...

I should have moved to Haifa a long time ago. When I go into a building and ask where something is in Hebrew (broken Hebrew, of course) they answer in Russian! When I went to Misrad Hapnim, they handed me a sheet of paper in Russian with instructions, until I handed it back and started speaking English. It's really amazing. And entertaining, and I'm sure eventually, it will be annoying. 

This is the view from the ulpan classroom window. Not too shabby! They put my in kitah bet/gimmel. It's a good level for me!