More Learning! Yayyy

Awesome day. Long day. Learning day.


Couldn't fall asleep again until like 2am, which was just amazing waking up at 7:30am.  The rooms have HUGE windows and a balcony which is nice, but its perfectly located facing the East so at around 7am this huge bright orange light beeming through the room.  I loved that.

Started learning CPR this time with the equipment, which is a little different from back in Syracuse.  Theres a couple of different equipment things (will put up pictures later) that are actually really convenient.

We practiced in 3 person teams, and I thought that it would be weird using the dummies, but when we got moving everyone zoned in and focused like it was the real thing.

I love that our "drachim", or instructor, tells us a lot of stories every now and then about his crazy calls while working with Magen David Adom.  Fun fact, Israeli drivers have the right to keep a concealed weapon.  So, he told us that he once had to shoot a guy because he had a weapon, and then treated him!  He said they never know where or what they are going to encounter and he said it came in handy.  There were also a couple of stories about when he was the first responder to a terrorist attack.  Pretty shaky subject, and really brought to light how quickly my trip can change here.

After that, more learning.  We learn in a 4 hour chunk then lunch, then a 5 hour chunk then dinner.  The second part we went in depth with a lot of respiratory problems, and also subjects I've never learned how to treat (like diabetes, hyperglycemia, seizures etc.)  Some crazy stuff. 

After dinner, a bunch of people went to the Jerusalem mall.  I know it's not the most amazing and crazy thing in the world, but it was nice to get out of Bet Yehuda for an hour or two.  The walk back however, was intense.  Basically it's like walking up a never ending staircase.  After going up about 200 stairs (and these are big) you reach a street, then another flight of stairs, then another.... Really nice view though after the 20 minute venture up.

For our training, like I said before, we are split into 4 groups.  One of the groups (group 4) has a really enthusiastic Israeli MDA trainer.  There were a bunch of MDA people in the lobby and he said "Ok, everyone let's go!" And so I walked with the group on a quick little hike and then we sat down on this dirt path in the dark.  When we sat down, I realized that the group was really small and I asked "Where's everyone else?"  and the madrich turned to me and said "Oh this is only a group 4 group." *awkward silence* "But you can be an honorary member!"  Yayyy!  Anyways, we sat in a circle and each got a candle.  And we each spoke about who we are, why we are here, and why Magen David Adom.  The first person started with a lit candle, and when he was done talking, he would light the next person's candle and so forth.  So at the end it was  big circle of candles which was really neat.

Another great thing about this was that I was able to hear and see other people who had the exact same views and reasoning for coming here.  It was an awesome time. 

Then we chilled outside and played guitar on the balcony with like 20 other volunteers, that was a blast. 

Anways, need to sleep.  Yallah bye