The malls there are polar opposites from Israel and very different from America, Every single item that they sell has 2 or 3 workers that are there to ask you if you need help. In the beginning its actually a very cool feeling but after about 15 minutes it gets very tiresome. They all have allot of respect always call you sir. After the experience at the mall we left to the bay, I thought the air would be cleaner there but it was a disaster. You can barely breathe there it is advisable to just stay away from area. We literally choked our way back to a taxi to our apartment.
We got ready for shabbos and started our walk to Chabad which was approximately 15 minutes away by foot. The chabad house is located in a gated community which is an upscale area, surrounded by all the poverty. Once you walk in though the smell dissipates and your back in a nice green area. Friday night we had about 20 people for minyan with about 12 staying for the meal afterwards. The meal was delicious and the rabbi his wife and the family are very sweet and nice people, offering anything that you may need fro the entire trip. The next morning we had some issues getting a minyan but eventually we got 10 and had the meal after that and then davened mincha.
The next weeks activities I shall start next week IH.