Hafsakot

So I saw Phantom of the Opera (the movie) last night at what Leora and I thought had to be the most upscale movie theater in Israel. Until we found out it's actually a performing arts center. But for the twenty or so minutes before we actually read the Hebrew name of the place, or looked at our tickets, on which "The Jerusalem Center for the Performing Arts" was written in English, we thought this was the greatest movie theater ever. Double storied, with huge staircases and art exhibits off to the side, a little bookstore and cafe, and nice big rooms that were obviously stages but had been converted to a movie screen. Theater seating and red plush chairs, with plenty of space in between you and other people make for a great movie experience.

This was the worst run-in I've had so far with the infamous hafsaka (break) Israeli movie theaters put in the films, like an intermission in a classical concert. They invariably have no sense of when would be the best time for a break. For those of you who know the Phantom of the Opera, the break was right in the middle of the fallout from the hanging. Seriously, there were still women screaming and people confusedly running around on the screen when it went dark. I'm sure the break is just put at the midway point, but man, is that annoying.

Archaeology done with! Only Hebrew left to go. I'm not entirely sure what I'll be doing with my last weekend here, maybe just relaxing.