Cactus Fruit

I arrived yesterday, after one of the most interesting security experiences I've ever been through (just know that if you're flying to Israel, it will be a safe flight because of all the measures they have in place). The first thing I noticed during the drive from Tel-Aviv to Rehovot was how barren the landscape was. It was pretty sandy/desert looking and there would be occasional patches of grass or rows of planted trees (clearly ones that wouldn't grow there of their own accord). Seeing the palm trees was exciting though! Anyway, when we got into Rehovot it still looked barren save for a few buildings: desert, desert, desert, HIGH RISE APARTMENTS. But then we arrived at the Weizmann Institute and I have since deemed it the most beautiful place I've ever been fortunate to spend time in. There are so many types of plants and flowers wherever you look, and the architecture of the buildings is so much more interesting than the dull buildings on Research Drive that I was so accustomed to. I love being outside here, and honestly, it was/is hotter in NC!

Meeting people from around the world is always a fun experience; I'm practicing my Spanish with the Mexicans and Spaniards, making fun of the English language with the Brits, and explaining coordination chemistry terms to my Hungarian lab partner. Speaking of the lab, we met our mentors today, and mine is absolutely fabulous! She's a bubbly, energetic, workaholic masters student here at the institute, and is working on characterizing self-assembling oligomers. I forgot that feeling of knowing absolutely nothing about a subject, but was treated to a large dose of it today as I read the literature. It's a lot of organic chemistry (organometallic chemistry actually), and I regret not bringing my old notes.

So it goes. I can't really do this experience justice, just like I can't give cactus fruit a suitable description, but I'll do the best I can!