TUESDAY:
After getting off the plane and going through customs, we got our bags and I had to say bye to Katie and Rach, among others. It was hard, but hard because I didn't think we actually were leaving each other. I would see them in 2 weeks, but it was still hard. IT was a bit difficult to roll my bags...I refused to pay for a cart though!! We didn't have to walk too far to check in our bags and get our tickets. They didn't check to see if our bags were overweight, which made all of our lives easier. Also, we requested to have seats next to each other-we just had to be in the exit row. Ain Baiya!!!
I still would joke with security and stuff, but it wasn't the same. I could no longer make them laugh by trying to speak hebrew. They also were a lot older...not fresh out of the army! I hung out with Miki, Nathan, Maya, and Ittai, after sending Sarah off (they are all section 2'ers). I had pizza with them and we went to many different terminals. After saying by to Maya & Ittai the Michiganders went off to terminal 3 Gate 17. We sat around for a bit and then boarded the plane. It was 2 and 2 and Miki and I were next to each other, and nathan was a forearm away from me. The flight attendant was not happy with Miki and my stuff underdeath the seat. She told us that it has to look organized and can't look like a college dorm. I whispered to Miki after that it is an APARTMENT, not a dorm! After we thought we had organized it, she came back and got on her knees to organize our stuff some more...oops. After she came back and asked if we were on sabbatical or something. We corrected her and I think she ended up liking us, or understanding why we were so disoriented. We read some plane letters and cried. I didn't sleep, even though I was drained. After getting off the plane and walking under the runway, we stopped before the escalator and talked and hugged it out. We took a deep breath and went down the escalator. I first saw Steph and then I saw her yell for Sophie. It was so great to see them-I haven't physically seen them in 9 months! They got taller. Then all the hello's came, including the new car, and after the carride...TRIPPER!!
I won't give more details, because this blog is only for me being in Israel and now I am home! I do like seeing my family and some friends. Before Israel, I thought I could never make Aliyah because I am close with my family. Although I have only been home for a few days, I do think that I would prefer to live in Israel and not hold back just because of my family because with technology, I would be able to see them. I don't like being home because nothing is different and I feel like I haven't been in Israel for nine months. When I look back, I don't believe that I actually did everything I did. It scares me a lot because I haven't even been home for a week and I already cannot believe I was in Israel. I need to get back there ASAP! Hopefully the latest I will be there will be next summer.
Thank you for all you readers (is it less than 5?!) for reading my blog. I am happy that I stuck through it, even though I wanted to stop. The good thing about being home is that I no longer have to blog!! I can't wait to look back and read this. Some things are in code for me...I hope I don't forget what the code words meant!!
Maybe I will write another blog when I am make Aliyah, or at least move back in Israel for a few years...סתםםם (about the blogging part).
להיתראת!!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
MONDAY:
We had to wake up around 7ish because breakfast was at 8 and we had to pack up before breakfast because we were supposed to be out of our rooms by 8:30 with our bags. That didn't happen. But right before I go into the dining hall I see a man walking down the stairs, and I do a double take. He also stares at me. It ended up being Rabbi Daniel!! After he realized that it was me he told me that he had just seen my parents. He was there leading a Detroit Birthright. I didn't really recognize any of them. We took a picture together on someone's camera. I was looking pretty tired because of the few hours of sleep I got. He told me that some JAMDer's were staying at the Hostel also because they had an open shabbat. I was a little bummed that I didn't see them.
After breakfast and not finding the key to our room, we had to bring all of our stuff up and we had our sikum things with our Madrichim from Jerusalem and then Arad. With Moran we picked someone's name and then told a memory we have with them. Rachel got me. Moran also brought with her the broken pitcher meant for Boaz's family that I had kept in Emma's apartment. For Shai's we were given a notebook where we could have people sign it. Rach did her typical thing of having people sign a shirt of hers. I couldn't find one of my gross v-necks and so Katie gave me the shirt she was wearing and I gave her mine. After writing in people's memory books, having people sign me, and writing some plane letters, we all had to go to the Beit Knesset. Yael told us what was going to be happening for the rest of the day and then she updated us on why the Old City was off limits for us. She also told us that we are kind of on lockdown, but luckily this was not happening when we were able to roam around freely. She told us also that she doesn't think people should go to Jordan or Egypt-because some people are staying in Israel longer to travel. Then Katie spoke! Her speech was so good and everyone loved it and found it funny. Joel showed his YC video he put together, which was unbelievable. Then after some more talking, it was lunch.
Omer, Boaz's good friend, wanted to stop by again to give me a CD he made for me. After talking to Boaz on the phone for the last time :( I had lunch. We then had to go start reloading the trucks. I first put a lot more clothes in my bags and so my carry-ons were so light! Then we were given free time for a few hours. Around 2ish we were told to get our deposit back and return our cellphones. I made my last phone calls. I got my grades back too. I got 10 sheks taken out of my deposit because some girls (one no longer on the program) burnt a table in Jerusalem-or it was one of her friends, so the whole apartment got 10 sheks taken out of their deposit. Only an ice cream, but annoying because I didn't do it! Some people had to go to different places, but I was to stay in the Hostel. Omer told me he would come around a certain time, so right when I left the room I was in to go wait by the gate, Kai had led him to me! We talked for a bit and he gave me a CD with a nice note on it. After saying bye, again, I put the CD in and there are 102 songs on it!!! My battery was really low so I had to prioritize and tried to get some of the songs on my ipod. I kept on deleting songs to add more songs, but then the first songs kept on being added, rather than new ones that weren't added before...that didn't make sense, but I understand what I am trying to say!! I wrote some more plane letters and around 5ish we had to get on buses to go to our final Sikum with all 3 sections. When we got there I saw nathan (יום הולדת סמח נתן וסתפעני!!!!!!) and a few others before we went inside. I sat next to Rach and Benji. There were some speakers and thank yous. It got kind of boring. Then we had 30 minutes before one bus left and then an hour before my bus left. It was so sad to say bye. Especially to the brits, where communicating with them will be harder. Monica was the one who made me start crying hard when she was leaving. I also kept on seeing couples saying bye to each other, which also made me cry. Eventually when it was my turn to leave, it was so hard saying bye to everyone--I was wreck with Benji and Moran.
It was hard looking outside and seeing Jerusalem and then leaving it. It is weird to kind of know where I am going because I have made this trip so many times! I usually never look outside my window and know where we are (previous to going on YC) but now I did! When we got to the airport, it really did seem like full circle. I remember going on a bus here and getting my cell phone and sitting alone, nervous about the decision I had made and calling home to let them know I got to Israel just fine.
Checking in my bags took a long time and my cart wheel got twisted and I was stuck and kept on being surrounded by people. Finally someone helped me. Just to note that the carts at the Ben-Gurion airport were free, but in JFK it cost money. After I got checked in, all the scouts were waiting for us. I sat with Rach and Shir and it was weird and hard for the scouts because a new batch of people kept on coming and then saying bye and leaving them to make room for a new group of people. It was hard saying bye to them and I really hope I keep in touch with Shir and Maya. Once we got through security (with water and without taking shoes off!) we ran to the gate where people were leaving for New Jersey. We said bye to the people on that plane and after went to Duty Free. After changing into my genie pants, I got onto the plane and sat next to Haley, the girl I sat next to on the way to Israel. It is so funny how now we are friends. It is really a brain game trying to figure out how it can work out so friends can sit with each other. Rach and I got to sit next to each other, but Naomi and Katie were sitting on the other side of the plane :(
I slept really well on Rachel. We got woken up for dinner and I just remember eating this good sandwich, but unable to keep my eyes open! I really have changed on YC. Before this year, I would never fall asleep without putting my retainers in...this time I only did it after I had woken up!!! I hung out with katie and Noomi for a bit and watched parts of movies (Valentine's Day and Dear John--I saw both of them), talked and ate. When the plane landed, Rach and I were squeezing each other's hands. It was sad when we landed. We were no longer in Israel.
We had to wake up around 7ish because breakfast was at 8 and we had to pack up before breakfast because we were supposed to be out of our rooms by 8:30 with our bags. That didn't happen. But right before I go into the dining hall I see a man walking down the stairs, and I do a double take. He also stares at me. It ended up being Rabbi Daniel!! After he realized that it was me he told me that he had just seen my parents. He was there leading a Detroit Birthright. I didn't really recognize any of them. We took a picture together on someone's camera. I was looking pretty tired because of the few hours of sleep I got. He told me that some JAMDer's were staying at the Hostel also because they had an open shabbat. I was a little bummed that I didn't see them.
After breakfast and not finding the key to our room, we had to bring all of our stuff up and we had our sikum things with our Madrichim from Jerusalem and then Arad. With Moran we picked someone's name and then told a memory we have with them. Rachel got me. Moran also brought with her the broken pitcher meant for Boaz's family that I had kept in Emma's apartment. For Shai's we were given a notebook where we could have people sign it. Rach did her typical thing of having people sign a shirt of hers. I couldn't find one of my gross v-necks and so Katie gave me the shirt she was wearing and I gave her mine. After writing in people's memory books, having people sign me, and writing some plane letters, we all had to go to the Beit Knesset. Yael told us what was going to be happening for the rest of the day and then she updated us on why the Old City was off limits for us. She also told us that we are kind of on lockdown, but luckily this was not happening when we were able to roam around freely. She told us also that she doesn't think people should go to Jordan or Egypt-because some people are staying in Israel longer to travel. Then Katie spoke! Her speech was so good and everyone loved it and found it funny. Joel showed his YC video he put together, which was unbelievable. Then after some more talking, it was lunch.
Omer, Boaz's good friend, wanted to stop by again to give me a CD he made for me. After talking to Boaz on the phone for the last time :( I had lunch. We then had to go start reloading the trucks. I first put a lot more clothes in my bags and so my carry-ons were so light! Then we were given free time for a few hours. Around 2ish we were told to get our deposit back and return our cellphones. I made my last phone calls. I got my grades back too. I got 10 sheks taken out of my deposit because some girls (one no longer on the program) burnt a table in Jerusalem-or it was one of her friends, so the whole apartment got 10 sheks taken out of their deposit. Only an ice cream, but annoying because I didn't do it! Some people had to go to different places, but I was to stay in the Hostel. Omer told me he would come around a certain time, so right when I left the room I was in to go wait by the gate, Kai had led him to me! We talked for a bit and he gave me a CD with a nice note on it. After saying bye, again, I put the CD in and there are 102 songs on it!!! My battery was really low so I had to prioritize and tried to get some of the songs on my ipod. I kept on deleting songs to add more songs, but then the first songs kept on being added, rather than new ones that weren't added before...that didn't make sense, but I understand what I am trying to say!! I wrote some more plane letters and around 5ish we had to get on buses to go to our final Sikum with all 3 sections. When we got there I saw nathan (יום הולדת סמח נתן וסתפעני!!!!!!) and a few others before we went inside. I sat next to Rach and Benji. There were some speakers and thank yous. It got kind of boring. Then we had 30 minutes before one bus left and then an hour before my bus left. It was so sad to say bye. Especially to the brits, where communicating with them will be harder. Monica was the one who made me start crying hard when she was leaving. I also kept on seeing couples saying bye to each other, which also made me cry. Eventually when it was my turn to leave, it was so hard saying bye to everyone--I was wreck with Benji and Moran.
It was hard looking outside and seeing Jerusalem and then leaving it. It is weird to kind of know where I am going because I have made this trip so many times! I usually never look outside my window and know where we are (previous to going on YC) but now I did! When we got to the airport, it really did seem like full circle. I remember going on a bus here and getting my cell phone and sitting alone, nervous about the decision I had made and calling home to let them know I got to Israel just fine.
Checking in my bags took a long time and my cart wheel got twisted and I was stuck and kept on being surrounded by people. Finally someone helped me. Just to note that the carts at the Ben-Gurion airport were free, but in JFK it cost money. After I got checked in, all the scouts were waiting for us. I sat with Rach and Shir and it was weird and hard for the scouts because a new batch of people kept on coming and then saying bye and leaving them to make room for a new group of people. It was hard saying bye to them and I really hope I keep in touch with Shir and Maya. Once we got through security (with water and without taking shoes off!) we ran to the gate where people were leaving for New Jersey. We said bye to the people on that plane and after went to Duty Free. After changing into my genie pants, I got onto the plane and sat next to Haley, the girl I sat next to on the way to Israel. It is so funny how now we are friends. It is really a brain game trying to figure out how it can work out so friends can sit with each other. Rach and I got to sit next to each other, but Naomi and Katie were sitting on the other side of the plane :(
I slept really well on Rachel. We got woken up for dinner and I just remember eating this good sandwich, but unable to keep my eyes open! I really have changed on YC. Before this year, I would never fall asleep without putting my retainers in...this time I only did it after I had woken up!!! I hung out with katie and Noomi for a bit and watched parts of movies (Valentine's Day and Dear John--I saw both of them), talked and ate. When the plane landed, Rach and I were squeezing each other's hands. It was sad when we landed. We were no longer in Israel.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
SUNDAY:
I had to wake up to bring my bags down and after I did that, I went back to bed. Boaz's alarm went off and after he got ready and dressed and helping Michal take her bag down, he said bye to Michal and Rach. Then after an emotional walk and seeing his bus leave, I went back to the apartment. We then cleaned and sat around. We were waiting for Shai to come check our apartment for the last time, but then Michal got a phone call saying that the bus was about to leave. WHAT??!?! We went crazy and finished cleaning everything and grabbed everything and rushed to the bus. Shai decided not to check our apartment because he trusted us...would have been nice if he called to let us know! ָAfter waiting a long time until the bus actually left, we stopped for the last time at Aroma and the gas station. I wanted to split my last lemonada with Rachel and since there is a long line, we had Leah order it for us. She got us the wrong drink. It was simular, but it wasn't slushie-ish, just liquid with lemonade and nanah leaves.
The bus ride after that was pretty short. I watched the road and it was sad to think that this was my last time coming to Jerusalem for awhile. We then drove to the Young Judaea Youth Hostel (no longer ours, because we had to sell it) and it was so frustrating because we went the exact way Boaz goes when we are driving to his house after he picks me up from the CBS. I knew this from before, but he lives like 2 minutes from the Youth Hostel. It sucked that he wasn't home.
Once we got there and got our stuff off the bus, we took it downstairs to this auditorium type thing. We had some speeches and Yael talking to us about what it is going to be like for us when we go home and how we all will act. After we had to carry our stuff back up to a room and then we had our bat yam sikum activity. They took a lot of pictures and we got to make our own little memory book. We then talked a little. After we had to unload the truck with all of our big bags and then were given our key to the room. I tried to nap, but just ended up eating cookies. I worked on plane letters for a little. I then had to shower and we left to go on the bus for our night activity. It kind of sucked how for our last night we didn't have free time until 11ish and we weren't allowed to leave the hostel to go to town or something. We ended up going to this club people would go to called Constantine. All 3 sections were there and after talking for a bit dinner was served and then the Tzofim made some videos and a dance. Then we just danced for the rest of the night and each section left one by one. My section was the 2nd to leave.
The bus driver took us to Beit Ar-El instead of the Hostel, so we were on the bus for way longer. I called Boaz's friend, Omer, when we got back and then I met up with him and we walked around and sat down and talked for a bit before going to hang out with my friends until he had to leave because all visitors have to leave at 1am. After he left and I said bye, I hung out and wrote a lot of plane letters. I was up until 3:30ish.
I had to wake up to bring my bags down and after I did that, I went back to bed. Boaz's alarm went off and after he got ready and dressed and helping Michal take her bag down, he said bye to Michal and Rach. Then after an emotional walk and seeing his bus leave, I went back to the apartment. We then cleaned and sat around. We were waiting for Shai to come check our apartment for the last time, but then Michal got a phone call saying that the bus was about to leave. WHAT??!?! We went crazy and finished cleaning everything and grabbed everything and rushed to the bus. Shai decided not to check our apartment because he trusted us...would have been nice if he called to let us know! ָAfter waiting a long time until the bus actually left, we stopped for the last time at Aroma and the gas station. I wanted to split my last lemonada with Rachel and since there is a long line, we had Leah order it for us. She got us the wrong drink. It was simular, but it wasn't slushie-ish, just liquid with lemonade and nanah leaves.
The bus ride after that was pretty short. I watched the road and it was sad to think that this was my last time coming to Jerusalem for awhile. We then drove to the Young Judaea Youth Hostel (no longer ours, because we had to sell it) and it was so frustrating because we went the exact way Boaz goes when we are driving to his house after he picks me up from the CBS. I knew this from before, but he lives like 2 minutes from the Youth Hostel. It sucked that he wasn't home.
Once we got there and got our stuff off the bus, we took it downstairs to this auditorium type thing. We had some speeches and Yael talking to us about what it is going to be like for us when we go home and how we all will act. After we had to carry our stuff back up to a room and then we had our bat yam sikum activity. They took a lot of pictures and we got to make our own little memory book. We then talked a little. After we had to unload the truck with all of our big bags and then were given our key to the room. I tried to nap, but just ended up eating cookies. I worked on plane letters for a little. I then had to shower and we left to go on the bus for our night activity. It kind of sucked how for our last night we didn't have free time until 11ish and we weren't allowed to leave the hostel to go to town or something. We ended up going to this club people would go to called Constantine. All 3 sections were there and after talking for a bit dinner was served and then the Tzofim made some videos and a dance. Then we just danced for the rest of the night and each section left one by one. My section was the 2nd to leave.
The bus driver took us to Beit Ar-El instead of the Hostel, so we were on the bus for way longer. I called Boaz's friend, Omer, when we got back and then I met up with him and we walked around and sat down and talked for a bit before going to hang out with my friends until he had to leave because all visitors have to leave at 1am. After he left and I said bye, I hung out and wrote a lot of plane letters. I was up until 3:30ish.
SATURDAY:
Boaz and I woke up around 10ish. Rach got up around 10:45ish and she (I helped a little) made french toast. Katie and Julia came back over and we all had a nice breakfast. We had honey and sprinkles to put on our french toast. After cleaning up breakfast we all just hung out for the rest of the day. We played some cards, ate a lot of left overs, just talked, and some worked on their goodbye letters. Julia left after lunch to do that. I also tried on Boaz's uniform and we recorded me doing neshek temuchan and mechabel and going down on my knee or on the floor. It was so hard. Around 5ish, Boaz and I took a long walk all around Arad. It was really nice. We walked to different parks, through a neighborhood and then sat down in a parking lot looking at the view. Once the sun went down we went and we finished cleaning up our apartment (well we cleaned up almost everything...freezer hahaha).
After finishing up packing and hanging out for a bit Boaz and I went to go to a park I really wanted to go to. It was this really cook park that I wish I went to with my friends more often. They have these cool swings and cool things to climb up and sit on. Kind of dangerous, but cool. Boaz and I hung out there and saw some people I knew. The sign for the park had funny stuff on it. When it said the name of the park, girls wrote their names and wrote "the queens." For the type of park, it had written "Park of Pedophiles." For the number to call, they gave a number that was probably theirs. For the age of the person in charge of checking the park, it was 7. All in hebrew.
Boaz and then walked to a different park and sat down. For most of the night we talked about the army, he was teaching me different things about the ranks and units. He told me other things too. After sitting for a bit and talking, we decided to go back to my apartment. We hung out with people and got to bed around 2ish, which isn't bad.
Boaz and I woke up around 10ish. Rach got up around 10:45ish and she (I helped a little) made french toast. Katie and Julia came back over and we all had a nice breakfast. We had honey and sprinkles to put on our french toast. After cleaning up breakfast we all just hung out for the rest of the day. We played some cards, ate a lot of left overs, just talked, and some worked on their goodbye letters. Julia left after lunch to do that. I also tried on Boaz's uniform and we recorded me doing neshek temuchan and mechabel and going down on my knee or on the floor. It was so hard. Around 5ish, Boaz and I took a long walk all around Arad. It was really nice. We walked to different parks, through a neighborhood and then sat down in a parking lot looking at the view. Once the sun went down we went and we finished cleaning up our apartment (well we cleaned up almost everything...freezer hahaha).
After finishing up packing and hanging out for a bit Boaz and I went to go to a park I really wanted to go to. It was this really cook park that I wish I went to with my friends more often. They have these cool swings and cool things to climb up and sit on. Kind of dangerous, but cool. Boaz and I hung out there and saw some people I knew. The sign for the park had funny stuff on it. When it said the name of the park, girls wrote their names and wrote "the queens." For the type of park, it had written "Park of Pedophiles." For the number to call, they gave a number that was probably theirs. For the age of the person in charge of checking the park, it was 7. All in hebrew.
Boaz and then walked to a different park and sat down. For most of the night we talked about the army, he was teaching me different things about the ranks and units. He told me other things too. After sitting for a bit and talking, we decided to go back to my apartment. We hung out with people and got to bed around 2ish, which isn't bad.
FRIDAY:
Rach and I woke up at 6:15ish and we left the apartment at 7:01…right on time. Shai had told us that a cab would cost around 160 sheks to Ein Gedi, but when we went to both of the taxi places, they said 250. After deciding if it would be worth us to pay 250 each (125 each way), we decided to go for it. It was so worth it. The taxi driver was a little crazy because he was passing people and speeding when going down the the huge, dangerous road. On the way down, we saw bikers going up it. They were crazy. We finally get to Ein Gedi and it was cool to remember sitting at the entrance before when I was on tour. This time though, it was just me and rach going. After paying and getting a map, off we went! In Israel there aren’t squirrels, but an animal similar to them and there were so many of them running around or climbing trees eating fruits. Rach and I talked to one of them…We walked pass some of the smaller waterfalls and then got to David’s waterfall. I wanted to go in that, but as we got closer we saw that there was a sign saying not to because of falling rocks. Rach and I sat there in our sweaty clothes for a bit and it was so beautiful. There was this side stream and with all the bubbles it looked like milk was coming down from the rock. The waterfall also was just so high up and beautiful. Neither of us wanted to go, but we did. We hiked up really high and I might have peed on the path. We then weren’t sure where the path was that we wanted and after going up to something ancient (maybe a Temple?) and then going back down it to go on the other path, we then decided to go back and realizd as we were going back down to where all the water was that we must have passed the path way before. Still, we decided to go back and then some people were at the waterfall everyone plays in. We first went into the other place after Rachel had some issues with her shorts (hahahahaha). After putting our head backs into the waterfall and letting it massage us and take off all of our sweat, we got out so we could start to head back and dry off. While we were trying to leave, we kept on bumping into school fieldtrips. It was so hot out and Rach and I both were so happy that we got an early start. Then we laid in the sun for a bit to dry off.
After going pee and eating, we headed to the main road where we wanted to catch a taxi. We decided that for the heck of it we should hitch hike. After getting a truck that was going to Masada, we called Julia to ask of she could give us a taxi number. While Rach was on the phone with her, a car full of creepy guys pulled over and after shooing them away, Rach misunderstood another car and shooed them away too (she thought they said they were going to Masada.) I was telling her that we need to wave a taxi down and not stick our finger out. She said that it didn't matter and the signs were for both getting a taxi and hitchhiking. Then we saw a taxi coming our way, and it stopped. We asked him how much it would cost if he took us back to Arad. He said he can't take us there, because he isn't going that way, but can take us to the end of the road, for free. Not sure if we heard the taxi driver right, we still didn't ask again and just got into the car. The end of the road meant like nearly a half hour. I was wondering why he would do that, and noticed how on the side of the road there was nothing-not even bus stops. I thought that he would drop us off by the Dead Sea, so then he can get actual business. He drove right passed Masada and the Dead Sea. Eventually, I just shut my eyes, but Rach hit my foot and shook her head, I nodded, realizing with her that we weren't getting this ride for free. I shut my eyes again and then she hits me again and shakes her head, again. She then told me not to sleep. That was why she was shaking her head, not because the taxi wasn't free!! Right when we reach the fork between the road up to Be'er Sheva and Arad and the road going to the left towards Eilat, he let us out. Yes, we did hitchhike with a taxi driver. How many people can say that?! The guy was so nice. He could have easily charged us!! After a few minutes of sticking our fingers out, we then got a ride with this man to Arad. He was heading somewhere and he had to drive through Arad. He practiced his English with us and then asked if the music was good, why would we care! He didn't however, ask if he could smoke, but obviously we weren't complaining. It was such a pretty view. He also, was a more cautious driver than the taxi drivers.
We got dropped off in the center of town, which is about a 10 minute walk from our apartment. Perfect. We ended up only spending 150 sheks for a taxi altogether, rather than 250. Made the trip so much more worth it. Plus, we got to hitchhike for our last time on YC (hopefully I wll hitchhike again with people when I am back in Israel!) When we got home we showered and then we began to cut up many vegetables for Shabbat dinner.We had to cook everything for shabbat. We cut up veggies for the stir fry and potatoes. Rach cut up most of the raw meat, but I did a package, too!! Nicola took the cutting knife she bought at the beginning of the year, and so since all the other knifes are bad, we used Rachel's swiss army knife. After cutting up and preparing everything, we hung out for a bit and also napped. Eventually, we started to get things cooking and Katie and Julia came over with the food they made. Later, Boaz came, but he had to take a taxi from Be'er Sheva to Arad, because he missed the last bus, which sucked. It was sad to think about- this would be the last time of seeing him, at least while I am on Year Course.
After lighting Shabbat candles, we had Boaz do Kiddush, we washed our hands and then said the Hamotzi. So much food and for some reason some of us were not so hungry. It was still a nice shabbat dinner. After cleaning up, we all just sat on the couches on computers, too tired to do anything. I think I was sleeping by 11 we all were exhausted-especially Boaz. The day before he had a white night meaning he was up and being active for 26 hours.
Rach and I woke up at 6:15ish and we left the apartment at 7:01…right on time. Shai had told us that a cab would cost around 160 sheks to Ein Gedi, but when we went to both of the taxi places, they said 250. After deciding if it would be worth us to pay 250 each (125 each way), we decided to go for it. It was so worth it. The taxi driver was a little crazy because he was passing people and speeding when going down the the huge, dangerous road. On the way down, we saw bikers going up it. They were crazy. We finally get to Ein Gedi and it was cool to remember sitting at the entrance before when I was on tour. This time though, it was just me and rach going. After paying and getting a map, off we went! In Israel there aren’t squirrels, but an animal similar to them and there were so many of them running around or climbing trees eating fruits. Rach and I talked to one of them…We walked pass some of the smaller waterfalls and then got to David’s waterfall. I wanted to go in that, but as we got closer we saw that there was a sign saying not to because of falling rocks. Rach and I sat there in our sweaty clothes for a bit and it was so beautiful. There was this side stream and with all the bubbles it looked like milk was coming down from the rock. The waterfall also was just so high up and beautiful. Neither of us wanted to go, but we did. We hiked up really high and I might have peed on the path. We then weren’t sure where the path was that we wanted and after going up to something ancient (maybe a Temple?) and then going back down it to go on the other path, we then decided to go back and realizd as we were going back down to where all the water was that we must have passed the path way before. Still, we decided to go back and then some people were at the waterfall everyone plays in. We first went into the other place after Rachel had some issues with her shorts (hahahahaha). After putting our head backs into the waterfall and letting it massage us and take off all of our sweat, we got out so we could start to head back and dry off. While we were trying to leave, we kept on bumping into school fieldtrips. It was so hot out and Rach and I both were so happy that we got an early start. Then we laid in the sun for a bit to dry off.
After going pee and eating, we headed to the main road where we wanted to catch a taxi. We decided that for the heck of it we should hitch hike. After getting a truck that was going to Masada, we called Julia to ask of she could give us a taxi number. While Rach was on the phone with her, a car full of creepy guys pulled over and after shooing them away, Rach misunderstood another car and shooed them away too (she thought they said they were going to Masada.) I was telling her that we need to wave a taxi down and not stick our finger out. She said that it didn't matter and the signs were for both getting a taxi and hitchhiking. Then we saw a taxi coming our way, and it stopped. We asked him how much it would cost if he took us back to Arad. He said he can't take us there, because he isn't going that way, but can take us to the end of the road, for free. Not sure if we heard the taxi driver right, we still didn't ask again and just got into the car. The end of the road meant like nearly a half hour. I was wondering why he would do that, and noticed how on the side of the road there was nothing-not even bus stops. I thought that he would drop us off by the Dead Sea, so then he can get actual business. He drove right passed Masada and the Dead Sea. Eventually, I just shut my eyes, but Rach hit my foot and shook her head, I nodded, realizing with her that we weren't getting this ride for free. I shut my eyes again and then she hits me again and shakes her head, again. She then told me not to sleep. That was why she was shaking her head, not because the taxi wasn't free!! Right when we reach the fork between the road up to Be'er Sheva and Arad and the road going to the left towards Eilat, he let us out. Yes, we did hitchhike with a taxi driver. How many people can say that?! The guy was so nice. He could have easily charged us!! After a few minutes of sticking our fingers out, we then got a ride with this man to Arad. He was heading somewhere and he had to drive through Arad. He practiced his English with us and then asked if the music was good, why would we care! He didn't however, ask if he could smoke, but obviously we weren't complaining. It was such a pretty view. He also, was a more cautious driver than the taxi drivers.
We got dropped off in the center of town, which is about a 10 minute walk from our apartment. Perfect. We ended up only spending 150 sheks for a taxi altogether, rather than 250. Made the trip so much more worth it. Plus, we got to hitchhike for our last time on YC (hopefully I wll hitchhike again with people when I am back in Israel!) When we got home we showered and then we began to cut up many vegetables for Shabbat dinner.We had to cook everything for shabbat. We cut up veggies for the stir fry and potatoes. Rach cut up most of the raw meat, but I did a package, too!! Nicola took the cutting knife she bought at the beginning of the year, and so since all the other knifes are bad, we used Rachel's swiss army knife. After cutting up and preparing everything, we hung out for a bit and also napped. Eventually, we started to get things cooking and Katie and Julia came over with the food they made. Later, Boaz came, but he had to take a taxi from Be'er Sheva to Arad, because he missed the last bus, which sucked. It was sad to think about- this would be the last time of seeing him, at least while I am on Year Course.
After lighting Shabbat candles, we had Boaz do Kiddush, we washed our hands and then said the Hamotzi. So much food and for some reason some of us were not so hungry. It was still a nice shabbat dinner. After cleaning up, we all just sat on the couches on computers, too tired to do anything. I think I was sleeping by 11 we all were exhausted-especially Boaz. The day before he had a white night meaning he was up and being active for 26 hours.
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