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.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Today it was hard to get up so early, but what made it easier was it wasn't cold out. The drive was a little painful because the Brits were screaming and singing loudly. So rude! We hiked up the ramp and then waited a long time for the sun to come up. The sunrise was lame. Of course it was cloudy. I have never been up so many times in a year to see the sunrise and I have not seen one on a clear day. Sababa. We then were given a history about Masada from Monica. She toured us because she volunteered on Masada. I remember going to the places we went to and knew more about Masada then I thought. It was a nice, quick tour. We went to the synagogue, the biggest cistern where water was stored, and the church. Then we walked down the ramp and got on the bus to go through Arad to go to the Arad park. We were given a pretty lame breakfast and then had some peulas. We did evaluations about Arad, wrote some notes to each other, and got certificates for completing Year Course with a sucker. Then we got back on the bus to go to Arad.
When I got back to the apartment, after showering, I was on my computer to start writing goodbye letters to people. I napped for about 2 hours. Talked to Boaz for a few minutes :) I then decided to walk to my volunteering placement to say goodbye and get 10 sheks back from the ceramics place. It was so sandy and hot outside. Ew. It was nice saying bye, and then when I checked the ceramics place, no one was there. I don't really care about the 10 sheks, but I decided that I should practice being assertive and not be embarrassed to ask. I met Rach at the mall and we got our last ice cream from there. The person working there was new and was not generous with the ice cream. She didn't even fill the cup and usually the cup is overflowing. Then we got some food for shabbat and I got chocolate to take home with me.
We then hung out in the apartment and I continued to write letters for the rest of the night. We got pizza and other things making me even more tired. Now it is 11:20 and tomorrow morning Rach and I are hoping to leave at 7 to go to Ein Geti together for a few hours. So much to do and so little time!! I hate doing countdowns, but I always find out how many days left. 5. Just 5. Ughhhhh. :(
When I got back to the apartment, after showering, I was on my computer to start writing goodbye letters to people. I napped for about 2 hours. Talked to Boaz for a few minutes :) I then decided to walk to my volunteering placement to say goodbye and get 10 sheks back from the ceramics place. It was so sandy and hot outside. Ew. It was nice saying bye, and then when I checked the ceramics place, no one was there. I don't really care about the 10 sheks, but I decided that I should practice being assertive and not be embarrassed to ask. I met Rach at the mall and we got our last ice cream from there. The person working there was new and was not generous with the ice cream. She didn't even fill the cup and usually the cup is overflowing. Then we got some food for shabbat and I got chocolate to take home with me.
We then hung out in the apartment and I continued to write letters for the rest of the night. We got pizza and other things making me even more tired. Now it is 11:20 and tomorrow morning Rach and I are hoping to leave at 7 to go to Ein Geti together for a few hours. So much to do and so little time!! I hate doing countdowns, but I always find out how many days left. 5. Just 5. Ughhhhh. :(
WEDNESDAY:
Yesterday we woke up around 10:30ish and took out the trash and then just chilled. Shai came and checked our apartment (freezer hahahaha). Then for the rest of the day we just chilled and relaxed. At 3:30, we left on a bus to Jerusalem for a Marva ceremony at the Kotel. The bus ride was long and we got into some traffic. By the time we got there the ceremony had already started. It was still so cool to see all my friends! They looked so cute. Instead of getting berets, they got their berets taken off and got baseball hats saying Marva. After the ceremony we hugged each other and then Shevet got Burger's Bar. Everyone else there was so pissed because they were hungry and wanted food too. I guess I would be mad too if I wasn't on Shevet. It makes sense though, even though they kept saying that this event should not have been a Shevet event. But, the bus was provided for Shevet, but Boaz let anyone else who wanted to come go. Year Course didn't provide the transportation. After eating dinner on the floor, just looking at the Kotel, we went to the Kotel to davin. Rach and I davined together, sharing a siddur and it was nice, but we got interrupted during the Amida and told that we had to leave now. Great. So we left and after waiting for the bus where we were dropped off (Rach and I walked on the steps, rather than going up the steep hill) we got on the bus back to Arad. There was so much traffic and we didn't get back until past 11. We had to meet at the mall at 3:20 the following morning to hike up masada. Great. As soon as we got back and got into the apartment, I went to bed.
Yesterday we woke up around 10:30ish and took out the trash and then just chilled. Shai came and checked our apartment (freezer hahahaha). Then for the rest of the day we just chilled and relaxed. At 3:30, we left on a bus to Jerusalem for a Marva ceremony at the Kotel. The bus ride was long and we got into some traffic. By the time we got there the ceremony had already started. It was still so cool to see all my friends! They looked so cute. Instead of getting berets, they got their berets taken off and got baseball hats saying Marva. After the ceremony we hugged each other and then Shevet got Burger's Bar. Everyone else there was so pissed because they were hungry and wanted food too. I guess I would be mad too if I wasn't on Shevet. It makes sense though, even though they kept saying that this event should not have been a Shevet event. But, the bus was provided for Shevet, but Boaz let anyone else who wanted to come go. Year Course didn't provide the transportation. After eating dinner on the floor, just looking at the Kotel, we went to the Kotel to davin. Rach and I davined together, sharing a siddur and it was nice, but we got interrupted during the Amida and told that we had to leave now. Great. So we left and after waiting for the bus where we were dropped off (Rach and I walked on the steps, rather than going up the steep hill) we got on the bus back to Arad. There was so much traffic and we didn't get back until past 11. We had to meet at the mall at 3:20 the following morning to hike up masada. Great. As soon as we got back and got into the apartment, I went to bed.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
TUESDAY:
Yesterday the alarm went off at 8:30, but we kept on snoozing. I didn't get out of bed/wake up until 11ish. I needed the sleep. Rach had finished up packing, so I began to pack! EEEEEEK! At 12:30ish, our apartment left to go to a musa's for an apartment lunch on the stipend! We had a waitress who wanted to practice her English. None of us were in the mood. i got a really good hamburger and musa fries with a lemonada icee shake. Everything was so so soo good. We were all so full and Rach and I were about to pass out. We walked home and then I napped for about 20 minutes. I was then back to packing! I had pretty much finished packing around 6ish. My bags were easy to pack because I had to leave out things for the next week. Then we had a bonfire with Shai and his other chanichim along with Amir's. We had potatoes and corn and marshmallows. After we walked home, we went straight to cleaning. Well, we had already cleaned a bit earlier that day, but now we were getting more serious. Rach worked on the main room and I worked on the kitchen. Leah finished up packing her stuff. I then showered and we watched most of "Moulin Rouge" before turning it off because we were too tired and then going to sleep. I had some more weird dreams and one of them involved me being on a bus and seeing terrorists lighting up qassam rockets and aiming them towards the bus I was on. One flew right next to my window. Some more hit the ground right in front of the bus. Once I knew that I could have died and that no more rockets were coming, I was thinking about how that just added to my Israel experience. Also, my phone rang and I saw that it was in Hebrew, so I knew it was Boaz, but then it ended up being Katie who changed her name in my phone to Hebrew to trick me. What is going on with me?!
Yesterday the alarm went off at 8:30, but we kept on snoozing. I didn't get out of bed/wake up until 11ish. I needed the sleep. Rach had finished up packing, so I began to pack! EEEEEEK! At 12:30ish, our apartment left to go to a musa's for an apartment lunch on the stipend! We had a waitress who wanted to practice her English. None of us were in the mood. i got a really good hamburger and musa fries with a lemonada icee shake. Everything was so so soo good. We were all so full and Rach and I were about to pass out. We walked home and then I napped for about 20 minutes. I was then back to packing! I had pretty much finished packing around 6ish. My bags were easy to pack because I had to leave out things for the next week. Then we had a bonfire with Shai and his other chanichim along with Amir's. We had potatoes and corn and marshmallows. After we walked home, we went straight to cleaning. Well, we had already cleaned a bit earlier that day, but now we were getting more serious. Rach worked on the main room and I worked on the kitchen. Leah finished up packing her stuff. I then showered and we watched most of "Moulin Rouge" before turning it off because we were too tired and then going to sleep. I had some more weird dreams and one of them involved me being on a bus and seeing terrorists lighting up qassam rockets and aiming them towards the bus I was on. One flew right next to my window. Some more hit the ground right in front of the bus. Once I knew that I could have died and that no more rockets were coming, I was thinking about how that just added to my Israel experience. Also, my phone rang and I saw that it was in Hebrew, so I knew it was Boaz, but then it ended up being Katie who changed her name in my phone to Hebrew to trick me. What is going on with me?!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
MONDAY:
I woke up at 7, but didn’t get out of bed until 7:15ish I was just so cozy!! After getting ready and saying bye (which was so weird!) I walked to the bus stop. I got there and I was supposed to have about 40 minutes in between that bus and the bus from tel aviv to Arad. Because of so much traffic, I didn’t get to the tel aviv CBS about 30 minutes after the bus left. The next bus was about 2 and a half hours later. While I was on my computer, there was a bomb scare, so everyone was standing right where I was sitting. Someone had just left their bag. So many people kept on trying to walk through. It is funny how not many people are really concerned. After about 7 minutes, everything was taken care of, so everyone went back to where they were sitting. I probably could have caught a bus to Be’er Sheva and then to Arad and arrive in Arad way earlier. Oh well.
The bus wasn't until 12:50 and the bus was really empty, so I got my own seat. When I got back to Arad, I was on the phone and then a soldier asked me if I was American. He is from New York and is volunteering in the army for 2 years. Love speaking to American soldiers in the IDF (that's a lie...I just love speaking to ALL soldiers in the IDF!!!) After being in my apartment for a bit and putting a few pics on my flashdrive, I went with Michal to the camera place. I got 5 pictures developed (Boaz and me, Boaz's whole shabbat crew, the syblings, the family, and me with the family). I got 2 frames. Michal also got a frame and a picture developed of her and Guy. Michal's camera broke, so she asked the guy if he could fix it and he took out this cleaner stuff and her camera was fixed!! After paying a shek for each picture and for the frames, Michal and I went to Katie's apartment for bit. We showed everyone our pictures and told them that the guy fixed Michal's camera. Naomi's camera was also broken, so she walked with us back to the center of town and while she tried on pants, Michal and I went back to the apartment to get my camera. Then after helping Naomi, we took our cameras there, but neither Rach's, Naomi's, or my camera got fixed. Michal and I then got ice cream and then went to the mall to go buy some food for our apartment. The lines take forever in Israel, I am looking forward to the quick lines at home.
When we came home and Leah dressed Rach and I up. We went back to Katie's with a cake Leah made. We had stuffed peppers and veggies for dinner. It was so good and so fun. Then we all went to Musa's. It was my first time there. I was tired and not really in the mood to be there. Rach, Michal, and I left after being there for an hour or two. I came home and went to bed. I had weird dreams about going home, but not having to fly and laughing at how Rach has to pack well because she is going on an airplane, but I don't need to pack well because I am just going to be driving. In our house, we were living in Aunt Ronda's old house (but not her real old house.) At one point I pinched myself and I knew I was dreaming and wanted to do something since I was dreaming, but it ended up not working out...Michal told me the next morning that when she came into the room I was mumbling stuff and said "Boaz, I'm cold." hahaha.
I woke up at 7, but didn’t get out of bed until 7:15ish I was just so cozy!! After getting ready and saying bye (which was so weird!) I walked to the bus stop. I got there and I was supposed to have about 40 minutes in between that bus and the bus from tel aviv to Arad. Because of so much traffic, I didn’t get to the tel aviv CBS about 30 minutes after the bus left. The next bus was about 2 and a half hours later. While I was on my computer, there was a bomb scare, so everyone was standing right where I was sitting. Someone had just left their bag. So many people kept on trying to walk through. It is funny how not many people are really concerned. After about 7 minutes, everything was taken care of, so everyone went back to where they were sitting. I probably could have caught a bus to Be’er Sheva and then to Arad and arrive in Arad way earlier. Oh well.
The bus wasn't until 12:50 and the bus was really empty, so I got my own seat. When I got back to Arad, I was on the phone and then a soldier asked me if I was American. He is from New York and is volunteering in the army for 2 years. Love speaking to American soldiers in the IDF (that's a lie...I just love speaking to ALL soldiers in the IDF!!!) After being in my apartment for a bit and putting a few pics on my flashdrive, I went with Michal to the camera place. I got 5 pictures developed (Boaz and me, Boaz's whole shabbat crew, the syblings, the family, and me with the family). I got 2 frames. Michal also got a frame and a picture developed of her and Guy. Michal's camera broke, so she asked the guy if he could fix it and he took out this cleaner stuff and her camera was fixed!! After paying a shek for each picture and for the frames, Michal and I went to Katie's apartment for bit. We showed everyone our pictures and told them that the guy fixed Michal's camera. Naomi's camera was also broken, so she walked with us back to the center of town and while she tried on pants, Michal and I went back to the apartment to get my camera. Then after helping Naomi, we took our cameras there, but neither Rach's, Naomi's, or my camera got fixed. Michal and I then got ice cream and then went to the mall to go buy some food for our apartment. The lines take forever in Israel, I am looking forward to the quick lines at home.
When we came home and Leah dressed Rach and I up. We went back to Katie's with a cake Leah made. We had stuffed peppers and veggies for dinner. It was so good and so fun. Then we all went to Musa's. It was my first time there. I was tired and not really in the mood to be there. Rach, Michal, and I left after being there for an hour or two. I came home and went to bed. I had weird dreams about going home, but not having to fly and laughing at how Rach has to pack well because she is going on an airplane, but I don't need to pack well because I am just going to be driving. In our house, we were living in Aunt Ronda's old house (but not her real old house.) At one point I pinched myself and I knew I was dreaming and wanted to do something since I was dreaming, but it ended up not working out...Michal told me the next morning that when she came into the room I was mumbling stuff and said "Boaz, I'm cold." hahaha.
SUNDAY:
Boaz and I woke up at 5:20ish. He kept on telling me that I can go back to sleep and I can wake up later. It was so tempting, but I decided to go with him. While Boaz was looking for his wallet (which ended up being in the car), I put the gift on the kitchen table. When Boaz’s mom, told me not to forget it, I told her that it was a little gift for them. She thought I was going to be coming back next week. It was hard to say bye to her. I almost cried, but held myself together. Boaz’s dad also thought I was coming one more time. Oy. We couldn’t go through the back entrance, so I ran with Boaz to the front. It is not fun to run in the morning. Luckily, we had some time and it wasn’t so crazy once the bus got there. I kind of wanted to go with him to Be’er Sheva and then go to Tel Aviv, but we both knew it was really stupid. After saying bye, I went to wait for the bus to take me to the Tel Aviv CBS. Once I got there, it was about 7:30ish. I decided to wait until 10 to call Shlomo and ask what time I should take the bus at. I was going to take at 10:30 bus, but he said that an 11 o’clock would be better. Once I finally got on the bus, I slept for a bit and got to Ramat Yishai after 1 and half hours. I used to think that bus ride was long, but now it is really short compared to the buses I take to Jerusalem or Eilat. Once I got there, Shlomo had to go for a bit. He said I looked tired and told me that if I wanted I could take a nap on Moran’s bed. I thought I was going to sleep for a few minutes, but I passed out and Moran woke me up a few hours later. I was so tired! We then hung out and talked before going downstairs to watch some TV before going out to sushi for dinner. At each table there is a screen you can play different games on. It was so funny to watch them all try and guess the answers, or already know the answers from seeing that question before. They sometimes make their own sushi, so they told the waitress that one of the rolls were not rolled too tightly. We then got a free roll! After dinner, we went out for ice cream. After 9 months, one of the few things I know how to do in Hebrew!
After dinner, when we got back, Moran and I were on our computers talking to people. I talked to Noah and Lori for a bit and talked to Nathan and Steph. Might have forgotten that Mom and Dad’s anniversary was on the 21st. Sorry! Is it 26 years or 27? I showed Moran the “Swagger Wagon” youtube video. After trying to sing the words and talking and laughing with Drora (mother-father, blue shits) and giving them a challah cover and them giving me a beautiful chamtza necklace, Moran and I made different videos attempting to sing the lyrics to “Swagger Wagon.” It was hilarious. She is going to edit all the videos we made and then send it to me. After I showered and then we watched some of Mean Girls, before I crashed. Moran finished the movie. At 2ish Boaz called me. I was so confused.
Boaz and I woke up at 5:20ish. He kept on telling me that I can go back to sleep and I can wake up later. It was so tempting, but I decided to go with him. While Boaz was looking for his wallet (which ended up being in the car), I put the gift on the kitchen table. When Boaz’s mom, told me not to forget it, I told her that it was a little gift for them. She thought I was going to be coming back next week. It was hard to say bye to her. I almost cried, but held myself together. Boaz’s dad also thought I was coming one more time. Oy. We couldn’t go through the back entrance, so I ran with Boaz to the front. It is not fun to run in the morning. Luckily, we had some time and it wasn’t so crazy once the bus got there. I kind of wanted to go with him to Be’er Sheva and then go to Tel Aviv, but we both knew it was really stupid. After saying bye, I went to wait for the bus to take me to the Tel Aviv CBS. Once I got there, it was about 7:30ish. I decided to wait until 10 to call Shlomo and ask what time I should take the bus at. I was going to take at 10:30 bus, but he said that an 11 o’clock would be better. Once I finally got on the bus, I slept for a bit and got to Ramat Yishai after 1 and half hours. I used to think that bus ride was long, but now it is really short compared to the buses I take to Jerusalem or Eilat. Once I got there, Shlomo had to go for a bit. He said I looked tired and told me that if I wanted I could take a nap on Moran’s bed. I thought I was going to sleep for a few minutes, but I passed out and Moran woke me up a few hours later. I was so tired! We then hung out and talked before going downstairs to watch some TV before going out to sushi for dinner. At each table there is a screen you can play different games on. It was so funny to watch them all try and guess the answers, or already know the answers from seeing that question before. They sometimes make their own sushi, so they told the waitress that one of the rolls were not rolled too tightly. We then got a free roll! After dinner, we went out for ice cream. After 9 months, one of the few things I know how to do in Hebrew!
After dinner, when we got back, Moran and I were on our computers talking to people. I talked to Noah and Lori for a bit and talked to Nathan and Steph. Might have forgotten that Mom and Dad’s anniversary was on the 21st. Sorry! Is it 26 years or 27? I showed Moran the “Swagger Wagon” youtube video. After trying to sing the words and talking and laughing with Drora (mother-father, blue shits) and giving them a challah cover and them giving me a beautiful chamtza necklace, Moran and I made different videos attempting to sing the lyrics to “Swagger Wagon.” It was hilarious. She is going to edit all the videos we made and then send it to me. After I showered and then we watched some of Mean Girls, before I crashed. Moran finished the movie. At 2ish Boaz called me. I was so confused.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
SATURDAY:
On Saturday, we didn’t wake up until 2ish and then after having a really good lunch (chicken), Boaz and I finished watching the “The Notebook.” I also downloaded skype for him and we made sure that it worked. Then Boaz and I drove to the park right by The Knesset. He brought ice cream and we just made fun of each other and joked around about the army. We both were so cold, so we walked around and then walked by the Knesset. I saw the menorah that was there and remembered that I had been there before! On the teen mission!! I love when that happens. When we got home we hung out with his family and then we took pictures. We figured out how to do self timer, and only after a few tries we figured it out. Really good pictures. Then Boaz and I took a few together and then I took some of their family. After, Boaz and I walked to Omer’s house so his brother could cut Boaz’s hair. Took some action shots. One of their friends stopped by and after taking some pictures together, we said bye. It is so weird saying bye to them. We kept on hugging. Eventually, Boaz and left, because we had to wake up early in the morning. I forgot to mention that he had to be back on base 2 hours early (at 8) because he got in trouble for eating when he wasn’t supposed to. We got to bed before 1.
On Saturday, we didn’t wake up until 2ish and then after having a really good lunch (chicken), Boaz and I finished watching the “The Notebook.” I also downloaded skype for him and we made sure that it worked. Then Boaz and I drove to the park right by The Knesset. He brought ice cream and we just made fun of each other and joked around about the army. We both were so cold, so we walked around and then walked by the Knesset. I saw the menorah that was there and remembered that I had been there before! On the teen mission!! I love when that happens. When we got home we hung out with his family and then we took pictures. We figured out how to do self timer, and only after a few tries we figured it out. Really good pictures. Then Boaz and I took a few together and then I took some of their family. After, Boaz and I walked to Omer’s house so his brother could cut Boaz’s hair. Took some action shots. One of their friends stopped by and after taking some pictures together, we said bye. It is so weird saying bye to them. We kept on hugging. Eventually, Boaz and left, because we had to wake up early in the morning. I forgot to mention that he had to be back on base 2 hours early (at 8) because he got in trouble for eating when he wasn’t supposed to. We got to bed before 1.
FRIDAY:
I got woken up around 8:00ish and we all left Katie’s at around 9. Rach and I walked to Yad LaKashish. We were carrying everything and it was hot. When we got there we dropped our bags and then spent a lot of time (and money) there. The stuff is beautiful. Among other things, I bought Boaz’s family a card to go along with the gift I got them. After we left, we grabbed a bus to the CBS and Rach got Aroma as we waited for Boaz to come. Near us was these 2 people on a date- I think they were both American. The guy was a paratrooper. I found it really interesting to watch. I couldn’t stop looking! Rach kept on looking at the entrance and I kept on getting excited, thinking she saw Boaz coming. She kept on psyching me out! Once I least expected it, he just pops up. After saying bye to Rach, me and him walk to the shuk. He had a blister that popped on his heel, and he could not walk normally. I knew how he felt. At the shuk we went to a restaurant and had some hummus with pita and rice. After getting a huge bag of candy, we took a bus back home.
I had gotten “The Notebook” from Miki, so we watched the beginning of it. He was freaking out when he found out that there were no Hebrew subtitles. Every now and then he would ask what someone said, of course I knew the exact line! Once his mom came home and stuff, we decided to finish the movie later. We both were tired, so then we napped for a few hours. I kept on having to wake him up because he was snoring. I couldn’t just touch him though, I had to shake him, hard, to get him to wake up.
Around 7ish, we left for Shabbat dinner. Once we got there, I heard Yoav yelling my name from the balcony. Hahaha. I joked with Boaz saying, if only you would be that excited to see me! Dinner was really good. Boaz told his family about different things he had to do in the army. It was nice because I understood what he was saying. Not because I can understand everything in Hebrew, but because he told me the same thing earlier that day. Yael (Boaz’s aunt) asked if I had lost weight because I looked thinner. I just told her that I have no idea. After dinner, Yoav kept on jumping on me and playing with me. After eating ice cream and everyone was sitting down together, I told them that I needed to take a picture of all of them. I got a few nice ones. We then tried to get a picture of everyone with me in it (minus Ron (Boaz’s uncle) who would take it), but at that point everyone had gotten up and it was a lost cause. Boaz told me later that night that the picture I got of everyone is probably the first picture with everyone together-they hate taking pictures all together. Complete opposite of my family. We might not like it, but some aggressive adults (i.e. Mom) force us, even if a kid in the picture refuses to smile or is crying in the picture (i.e. Stephanie). It was a commercial when I took the picture. We were watching this comedian. I understood some of her jokes! At one point she was talking about buses and how she sees a bus in the distance and it looks like the 6, or the 8, or the 26. It ends up being bus 817. She then jokes about taking taxis and then about her learning how to drive. After we watch some of money taxi and they are all guessing the answers. I think it was 10 or 10:30 when we left. Boaz and I walked to town and after his friend was the one taking our order, his friend comes and they talk about the army. I heard Boaz tell his friend the same story and his friend told him some stories. His friend is in a unit where he is a fighter, but attached to him is a mini helicopter thing. So cool! After, we took a taxi to Omer’s because Omer had surgery- I am pretty sure he got his appendix out. Anyway, he had people over so we hung out there until 4ish. We decided to go once I shut my eyes and was lying down on a pillow and Boaz was also closing his eyes.
I got woken up around 8:00ish and we all left Katie’s at around 9. Rach and I walked to Yad LaKashish. We were carrying everything and it was hot. When we got there we dropped our bags and then spent a lot of time (and money) there. The stuff is beautiful. Among other things, I bought Boaz’s family a card to go along with the gift I got them. After we left, we grabbed a bus to the CBS and Rach got Aroma as we waited for Boaz to come. Near us was these 2 people on a date- I think they were both American. The guy was a paratrooper. I found it really interesting to watch. I couldn’t stop looking! Rach kept on looking at the entrance and I kept on getting excited, thinking she saw Boaz coming. She kept on psyching me out! Once I least expected it, he just pops up. After saying bye to Rach, me and him walk to the shuk. He had a blister that popped on his heel, and he could not walk normally. I knew how he felt. At the shuk we went to a restaurant and had some hummus with pita and rice. After getting a huge bag of candy, we took a bus back home.
I had gotten “The Notebook” from Miki, so we watched the beginning of it. He was freaking out when he found out that there were no Hebrew subtitles. Every now and then he would ask what someone said, of course I knew the exact line! Once his mom came home and stuff, we decided to finish the movie later. We both were tired, so then we napped for a few hours. I kept on having to wake him up because he was snoring. I couldn’t just touch him though, I had to shake him, hard, to get him to wake up.
Around 7ish, we left for Shabbat dinner. Once we got there, I heard Yoav yelling my name from the balcony. Hahaha. I joked with Boaz saying, if only you would be that excited to see me! Dinner was really good. Boaz told his family about different things he had to do in the army. It was nice because I understood what he was saying. Not because I can understand everything in Hebrew, but because he told me the same thing earlier that day. Yael (Boaz’s aunt) asked if I had lost weight because I looked thinner. I just told her that I have no idea. After dinner, Yoav kept on jumping on me and playing with me. After eating ice cream and everyone was sitting down together, I told them that I needed to take a picture of all of them. I got a few nice ones. We then tried to get a picture of everyone with me in it (minus Ron (Boaz’s uncle) who would take it), but at that point everyone had gotten up and it was a lost cause. Boaz told me later that night that the picture I got of everyone is probably the first picture with everyone together-they hate taking pictures all together. Complete opposite of my family. We might not like it, but some aggressive adults (i.e. Mom) force us, even if a kid in the picture refuses to smile or is crying in the picture (i.e. Stephanie). It was a commercial when I took the picture. We were watching this comedian. I understood some of her jokes! At one point she was talking about buses and how she sees a bus in the distance and it looks like the 6, or the 8, or the 26. It ends up being bus 817. She then jokes about taking taxis and then about her learning how to drive. After we watch some of money taxi and they are all guessing the answers. I think it was 10 or 10:30 when we left. Boaz and I walked to town and after his friend was the one taking our order, his friend comes and they talk about the army. I heard Boaz tell his friend the same story and his friend told him some stories. His friend is in a unit where he is a fighter, but attached to him is a mini helicopter thing. So cool! After, we took a taxi to Omer’s because Omer had surgery- I am pretty sure he got his appendix out. Anyway, he had people over so we hung out there until 4ish. We decided to go once I shut my eyes and was lying down on a pillow and Boaz was also closing his eyes.
THURSDAY:
Today I had to wake up at 6:30 to get on a coach that was supposed to be there at 7. The alarm didn’t go off, but luckily one of Miki’s apartmentmates woke me up. I got ready quickly. We picked the Aussie’s up, except now they live in Ashkolon. The bus was a long drive, but eventually we got to where we met up with the Desert Queens. We were in a parking lot and there was a huge field of huge sunflowers (I first wrote sunflower seeds hahaha). They were so pretty. I think sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. After breakfast we got into different cars (about 22 or something) that are good for off-road driving. We stopped at this one memorial to look at Gaza. The memorial was for a pilot who died in the plane crash between 2 Israeli planes. He was one of the 71 who died. The memorial consisted of a big wind chime thing. It was beautiful. In Israel, whenever I see memorials, I don’t get creeped out, but I find them to be really nice- and I know that I should be happy there to honor them. It was a clear day out so we could see all of Gaza and the sea behind it. While driving we drove along the border of Gaza and eventually of Egypt. I fell asleep for some of that. It was impossible to sleep when we were off the main road. So bumpy and a little nauseating. Lunch was so so so good. Potluck including many salads and pastas. There was this huge German Sheppard who was such a cutie pooch. He wanted to play fetch and use a rock as a ball. I played with him and his tongue was all sandy from trying to pick up the rocks. Right after lunch, we began the huge stretch of being off road. A car got stuck and a few of us went up on a sand dune while others tried to get the car unstuck from being in the sand. It was so much fun to climb up. So much sand got into my shoe. Later that night, I found out that a lot of sand also got into my sock. One of the three desert queen women in the car along with Rach, Ale, Naomi, and me, drove for most of the time. The passanger and her at one point switched and her driving was so much different. Instead of going slow, she would stop to wait for the car in front of her to get ahead and then she would go really fast. We were jumping all around. I was pretty happy when we finally got to the main road. After a pee stop, Ale wanted to drive, so she did. She was a good driver and I fell asleep.
Our last stop before dinner was at this other memorial. There we danced and then in pairs, I was with Elana, made and decorated our own kites to fly because it was so windy. Elana’s and mine was the best. It was an Israeli flag with different colored squiggles. After flying the kite for a bit, we got back into the car and went to a park where we had dinner and hung around a bonfire to keep us warm after the sun went down. The bus was about an hour late, and I didn’t get back to Beit Ar-El until 11:30ish. I took a bus with Cara back to Katie’s and after showering, I have been blogging. It is now 2:30. Must get to bed!!!
Today I had to wake up at 6:30 to get on a coach that was supposed to be there at 7. The alarm didn’t go off, but luckily one of Miki’s apartmentmates woke me up. I got ready quickly. We picked the Aussie’s up, except now they live in Ashkolon. The bus was a long drive, but eventually we got to where we met up with the Desert Queens. We were in a parking lot and there was a huge field of huge sunflowers (I first wrote sunflower seeds hahaha). They were so pretty. I think sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. After breakfast we got into different cars (about 22 or something) that are good for off-road driving. We stopped at this one memorial to look at Gaza. The memorial was for a pilot who died in the plane crash between 2 Israeli planes. He was one of the 71 who died. The memorial consisted of a big wind chime thing. It was beautiful. In Israel, whenever I see memorials, I don’t get creeped out, but I find them to be really nice- and I know that I should be happy there to honor them. It was a clear day out so we could see all of Gaza and the sea behind it. While driving we drove along the border of Gaza and eventually of Egypt. I fell asleep for some of that. It was impossible to sleep when we were off the main road. So bumpy and a little nauseating. Lunch was so so so good. Potluck including many salads and pastas. There was this huge German Sheppard who was such a cutie pooch. He wanted to play fetch and use a rock as a ball. I played with him and his tongue was all sandy from trying to pick up the rocks. Right after lunch, we began the huge stretch of being off road. A car got stuck and a few of us went up on a sand dune while others tried to get the car unstuck from being in the sand. It was so much fun to climb up. So much sand got into my shoe. Later that night, I found out that a lot of sand also got into my sock. One of the three desert queen women in the car along with Rach, Ale, Naomi, and me, drove for most of the time. The passanger and her at one point switched and her driving was so much different. Instead of going slow, she would stop to wait for the car in front of her to get ahead and then she would go really fast. We were jumping all around. I was pretty happy when we finally got to the main road. After a pee stop, Ale wanted to drive, so she did. She was a good driver and I fell asleep.
Our last stop before dinner was at this other memorial. There we danced and then in pairs, I was with Elana, made and decorated our own kites to fly because it was so windy. Elana’s and mine was the best. It was an Israeli flag with different colored squiggles. After flying the kite for a bit, we got back into the car and went to a park where we had dinner and hung around a bonfire to keep us warm after the sun went down. The bus was about an hour late, and I didn’t get back to Beit Ar-El until 11:30ish. I took a bus with Cara back to Katie’s and after showering, I have been blogging. It is now 2:30. Must get to bed!!!
WEDNESDAY:
Later this day, we had to stop sleeping for lunch, which was at 1:15. It was pretty descent. After Mincha and hearing Ruth (I got up in front of everyone there to explain to them about Kri and Cativ and how there are examples in Ruth—I was that tired that I wasn’t even nervous!) we went back to bed for some more hours. The next time we woke up was for dinner and Moran, Emma, and Ami came to surprise us! After dinner, we had a group get together where we talked about our year on Shevet. Boaz had us close our eyes and he went through some of the highlights that we had done that year. It is crazy how quickly time has gone by, but how much we have done. I feel like that is how everything always works. After being given our own little Havdallah set on behalf of Boaz and the Shevet staff, and doing Havdallah, we packed up to go. Moran drove some of us back to Beit Ar-El. When I got there I got onto my computer and got to talk with Rachel Weinstein for a bit and then Steph. Haven’t spoken to either of them in such a long time. Rach told me bad news about her friend who damaged his skull and then died of internal bleeding. It is crazy how instantly anyone can pass away. Katie came later on and told me that she found out that Moran’s cousin had died in a car accident. I still am not sure which cousin, but nonetheless, I don’t even know what to say. I still have no idea how to react in such situations. How can I continue talking to Stephanie, just pretending I didn’t just hear horrific news? I also talked to mom and dad for a bit. I then blogged and hung out with Miki before going to bed around 2ish.
Later this day, we had to stop sleeping for lunch, which was at 1:15. It was pretty descent. After Mincha and hearing Ruth (I got up in front of everyone there to explain to them about Kri and Cativ and how there are examples in Ruth—I was that tired that I wasn’t even nervous!) we went back to bed for some more hours. The next time we woke up was for dinner and Moran, Emma, and Ami came to surprise us! After dinner, we had a group get together where we talked about our year on Shevet. Boaz had us close our eyes and he went through some of the highlights that we had done that year. It is crazy how quickly time has gone by, but how much we have done. I feel like that is how everything always works. After being given our own little Havdallah set on behalf of Boaz and the Shevet staff, and doing Havdallah, we packed up to go. Moran drove some of us back to Beit Ar-El. When I got there I got onto my computer and got to talk with Rachel Weinstein for a bit and then Steph. Haven’t spoken to either of them in such a long time. Rach told me bad news about her friend who damaged his skull and then died of internal bleeding. It is crazy how instantly anyone can pass away. Katie came later on and told me that she found out that Moran’s cousin had died in a car accident. I still am not sure which cousin, but nonetheless, I don’t even know what to say. I still have no idea how to react in such situations. How can I continue talking to Stephanie, just pretending I didn’t just hear horrific news? I also talked to mom and dad for a bit. I then blogged and hung out with Miki before going to bed around 2ish.
TUESDAY:
On Tuesday, I woke up around 9:30ish to get ready to meet Moran and her cousin at a bus stop. I got on the bus they were on and then off we went to the mall. Moran’s cousin name is Mor, I just find that funny. She was in uniform and I later found out that she is 19-she is a month and a day older than me! When we got to the mall we checked out this one store, but didn’t find anything. We then went to this other store and at first it seemed like there was nothing similar to the pitcher I had bought the day before. Eventually, I saw something very similar to it, except they were only in solid colors. The price was a little much, but after Moran talking to a guy working there, we decided for me to get the pitcher and a nice matching plate (both are ceramic pieces and orange) and a membership card. The card cost 50 sheks or something, but ended up saving me so much money! They wrapped it up and put flower petals around the plate, with the center piece being the pitcher. I was too scared to hold it, so I made Moran. After walking around with them for a little and talking to Mor, I had to go back to Beit Ar-El where I could meet up with Boaz, so he could drive me the Dan Sacher park, which was where Shevet was meeting up for lunch.
While Mor/an (haha) were searching for clothing for a cousins wedding/clothing for Shavuot, I took out money (for my last time), unsuccessfully looked for a nice gift bag, and eventually, somehow after getting lost in the parking lot, got the bus stop I needed. When bus 4 came I took it. I was anxious that I should have just waited for the 18, because I am more familiar with where it goes. I accidentally banged my new present about three times-nothing happened. Oy. After pushing the button and then thinking the next stop was my stop and the driver saying “mah at rotzah yeldah,” I got off the bus way too early. I asked for directions to Baka and walked for at least an hour. Uphill. It was hot out. When I finally got to Beit Ar-El (I was so proud that I didn’t get lost), I hung out in Miki’s room for a little and then put both of my gifts in Boaz’s office before leaving with him.
We had come right after the bus had come and a lot of Marva people were on the bus!! We had lunch—bagels, and salads. It was a lovely day and really nice to be with everyone again, even though many people were missing.
We then drove to the Yitzhack Rabin Youth Hostel in Ramat something, close to Rehavia. We got our room assignments, and relaxed for a bit, we needed to sleep because we would have a very long night ahead of us. I was exhausted and passed out. The annoying thing, was instead of napping and relaxing, everyone else was catching up. Benji flooded his bathroom with the shower. Rach sewed his buttons and other holes in his uniform. People were laughing and sleeping. I got woken up at least 5 times. I blame Benji for more than one of them. Let’s just say that I was cranky, or as Benji would say, “…in a mood!” Eventually everyone napped. Then it was time for candle lighting, services, and dinner. At services, we were given Artsroll Tanah’s that had Shevet 5770, engraved on them for us to keep!
Dinner was so so soo good. We had a discussion as to why we eat dairy—we were just given the halachot regarding kashrut and not sure of the laws so in order to make sure that they didn’t mess up they only ate dairy, another reason that I guessed (and was right!) was that it doesn’t fill you up and make you feel heavy and tired that way you can stay up and study all night long. After dinner we grabbed some jackets and headed towards Beit Ar El.
When I say we, I really mean, Rachel, Katie, Naomi, Julia, James G, Boaz, Joel, and Joe. Others would either join us later or go to town. We were given a list of different Shiurim throughout Jerusalem in English that we had the option of going to.
After secretly talking to Boaz on the phone for a little, Rabbi Yosela from Shalem spoke to us based on a sheet he handed us with different quotes talking about human character, such as old mindsets, wanting to be challenged-rather than always being right without arguing or fighting, how one handles drinking & using his wallet & dealing with anger, where anger comes from (“emerges from the absence of creativity), and Jerusalem having 9 out of the 10 measure of beauty descended to the world. I kept the sheet of paper with the specific quotes.
After getting lost and finding our own way (as a group), we get to Hartmen Institute, which was on the way to Rechavia. We heard Rabbi Professor David Hartman talk. We came late, but one thing that really stuck in my mind was when he talked about the one thing the God cannot forgive us, even after we repent. The one thing is desecrating God’s name. What does this mean, exactly? A rabbi gave an example, using himself. It is considered to be desecrating God’s name, when he goes to a butchery, and takes meat without paying for it right away. This is because people could see him not paying and assume it is because of his job position. Basically, it is showing us how such small, everyday things are the things that really play a major role in Judaism.
Then we made our way to the Conservative Yeshiva at Agron. It was a little more difficult for me to focus, but one funny thing the Rabbi said was “incest is all relative.” After his schpeel, some of us began to lose it. Rach, Julia, Katie, Naomi, and I walked back to Beit Ar-El. Not sure if you have noticed, but we have done a lot of walking so far! After having snacks and me finding out who Yael is in the Tanah (strong woman who killed an enemy general by sticking a tent pole into the guy’s head), and talking about other people’s Hebrew names, we started to walk towards the Kotel. For some reason, we had to have a guard. I took advantage of that and spoke to him in Hebrew. I tried telling him and Boaz about my camping experience. It was so hard to speak Hebrew. I’ll just pretend that it was hard to tell the story because I was so tired. We finally get to the Kotel and Rach, Katie, and I have to go to the bathroom. I bumped into Katy Scharf, which was nice! We also bumped into a lot of Yeshiva boys we usually always see in town. Haha. We are pushing past people, but once we get to the other side, we found out that those toilets are only for guys, and the bathrooms only for girls was on the other side-by the women’s side. Great. When we turn around and start to head back, we bump into the Rabbi from New Jersey, Ari Kurzmann, and Jonathan Kaufman. In the bathroom, while we are leaving, this one girl looks familiar, no clue how I know her, but say hi. When she said hi, she was just saying hi back to be polite. She had no idea who I was. When we left the bathrooms, it was no longer dark outside. The bummer was that it was cloudy, so there wasn’t such a nice sunrise. After sitting on the group for a bit and thinking, I realize that she was one of the daughters of the house we stayed at in Efrat! I was sitting near Yoni Buckman and Eitan Mendelson, and then the seniors from JAMD came! Said hi to them, acted a little crazy because I was so tired, and then left them to sit back down. I then saw Shoshie Gruber and then Kendall joined us with her friends. So great to see so many people!! When we finally left, after getting a slow start and stopping and going, etc., Joel, Rachel, Katie, and I walk together back to the Hostel. We are all so tired and just want to sleep that it takes us over an hour to walk back. Once we got into our rooms we past out (Cara already was!!)
On Tuesday, I woke up around 9:30ish to get ready to meet Moran and her cousin at a bus stop. I got on the bus they were on and then off we went to the mall. Moran’s cousin name is Mor, I just find that funny. She was in uniform and I later found out that she is 19-she is a month and a day older than me! When we got to the mall we checked out this one store, but didn’t find anything. We then went to this other store and at first it seemed like there was nothing similar to the pitcher I had bought the day before. Eventually, I saw something very similar to it, except they were only in solid colors. The price was a little much, but after Moran talking to a guy working there, we decided for me to get the pitcher and a nice matching plate (both are ceramic pieces and orange) and a membership card. The card cost 50 sheks or something, but ended up saving me so much money! They wrapped it up and put flower petals around the plate, with the center piece being the pitcher. I was too scared to hold it, so I made Moran. After walking around with them for a little and talking to Mor, I had to go back to Beit Ar-El where I could meet up with Boaz, so he could drive me the Dan Sacher park, which was where Shevet was meeting up for lunch.
While Mor/an (haha) were searching for clothing for a cousins wedding/clothing for Shavuot, I took out money (for my last time), unsuccessfully looked for a nice gift bag, and eventually, somehow after getting lost in the parking lot, got the bus stop I needed. When bus 4 came I took it. I was anxious that I should have just waited for the 18, because I am more familiar with where it goes. I accidentally banged my new present about three times-nothing happened. Oy. After pushing the button and then thinking the next stop was my stop and the driver saying “mah at rotzah yeldah,” I got off the bus way too early. I asked for directions to Baka and walked for at least an hour. Uphill. It was hot out. When I finally got to Beit Ar-El (I was so proud that I didn’t get lost), I hung out in Miki’s room for a little and then put both of my gifts in Boaz’s office before leaving with him.
We had come right after the bus had come and a lot of Marva people were on the bus!! We had lunch—bagels, and salads. It was a lovely day and really nice to be with everyone again, even though many people were missing.
We then drove to the Yitzhack Rabin Youth Hostel in Ramat something, close to Rehavia. We got our room assignments, and relaxed for a bit, we needed to sleep because we would have a very long night ahead of us. I was exhausted and passed out. The annoying thing, was instead of napping and relaxing, everyone else was catching up. Benji flooded his bathroom with the shower. Rach sewed his buttons and other holes in his uniform. People were laughing and sleeping. I got woken up at least 5 times. I blame Benji for more than one of them. Let’s just say that I was cranky, or as Benji would say, “…in a mood!” Eventually everyone napped. Then it was time for candle lighting, services, and dinner. At services, we were given Artsroll Tanah’s that had Shevet 5770, engraved on them for us to keep!
Dinner was so so soo good. We had a discussion as to why we eat dairy—we were just given the halachot regarding kashrut and not sure of the laws so in order to make sure that they didn’t mess up they only ate dairy, another reason that I guessed (and was right!) was that it doesn’t fill you up and make you feel heavy and tired that way you can stay up and study all night long. After dinner we grabbed some jackets and headed towards Beit Ar El.
When I say we, I really mean, Rachel, Katie, Naomi, Julia, James G, Boaz, Joel, and Joe. Others would either join us later or go to town. We were given a list of different Shiurim throughout Jerusalem in English that we had the option of going to.
After secretly talking to Boaz on the phone for a little, Rabbi Yosela from Shalem spoke to us based on a sheet he handed us with different quotes talking about human character, such as old mindsets, wanting to be challenged-rather than always being right without arguing or fighting, how one handles drinking & using his wallet & dealing with anger, where anger comes from (“emerges from the absence of creativity), and Jerusalem having 9 out of the 10 measure of beauty descended to the world. I kept the sheet of paper with the specific quotes.
After getting lost and finding our own way (as a group), we get to Hartmen Institute, which was on the way to Rechavia. We heard Rabbi Professor David Hartman talk. We came late, but one thing that really stuck in my mind was when he talked about the one thing the God cannot forgive us, even after we repent. The one thing is desecrating God’s name. What does this mean, exactly? A rabbi gave an example, using himself. It is considered to be desecrating God’s name, when he goes to a butchery, and takes meat without paying for it right away. This is because people could see him not paying and assume it is because of his job position. Basically, it is showing us how such small, everyday things are the things that really play a major role in Judaism.
Then we made our way to the Conservative Yeshiva at Agron. It was a little more difficult for me to focus, but one funny thing the Rabbi said was “incest is all relative.” After his schpeel, some of us began to lose it. Rach, Julia, Katie, Naomi, and I walked back to Beit Ar-El. Not sure if you have noticed, but we have done a lot of walking so far! After having snacks and me finding out who Yael is in the Tanah (strong woman who killed an enemy general by sticking a tent pole into the guy’s head), and talking about other people’s Hebrew names, we started to walk towards the Kotel. For some reason, we had to have a guard. I took advantage of that and spoke to him in Hebrew. I tried telling him and Boaz about my camping experience. It was so hard to speak Hebrew. I’ll just pretend that it was hard to tell the story because I was so tired. We finally get to the Kotel and Rach, Katie, and I have to go to the bathroom. I bumped into Katy Scharf, which was nice! We also bumped into a lot of Yeshiva boys we usually always see in town. Haha. We are pushing past people, but once we get to the other side, we found out that those toilets are only for guys, and the bathrooms only for girls was on the other side-by the women’s side. Great. When we turn around and start to head back, we bump into the Rabbi from New Jersey, Ari Kurzmann, and Jonathan Kaufman. In the bathroom, while we are leaving, this one girl looks familiar, no clue how I know her, but say hi. When she said hi, she was just saying hi back to be polite. She had no idea who I was. When we left the bathrooms, it was no longer dark outside. The bummer was that it was cloudy, so there wasn’t such a nice sunrise. After sitting on the group for a bit and thinking, I realize that she was one of the daughters of the house we stayed at in Efrat! I was sitting near Yoni Buckman and Eitan Mendelson, and then the seniors from JAMD came! Said hi to them, acted a little crazy because I was so tired, and then left them to sit back down. I then saw Shoshie Gruber and then Kendall joined us with her friends. So great to see so many people!! When we finally left, after getting a slow start and stopping and going, etc., Joel, Rachel, Katie, and I walk together back to the Hostel. We are all so tired and just want to sleep that it takes us over an hour to walk back. Once we got into our rooms we past out (Cara already was!!)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
MONDAY:
Around 5ish we woke up and then after taking down the tents we started to head back to our apartments. We wanted to walk when it wasn't too hot out. We also wanted to wake up so we could see the sun rise. Too bad it was cloudy out. After walking for so so so long and being hot and sweaty and waiting for the masada bus to leave, I went back to my apartment. After being on my laptop to update things (Tamar Brown facebook IMed me!! So great.) I showered and instead of going back to bed, because I wasn't tired, I watched the newest episode of Gossip Girl. Wow it was crazy. After telling Debbie I would be a little late, so I could pack for the rest of the week, I packed up my backpack and went to volunteering. I am never in my apartment. I have been living out of my backpack. I come back to arad like once a week. It was hot out. For most of my time there I just labeled clothes. I was fine with that. After having some juice and a good nectorine in Debbie's apartment, I asked her what she thinks I should get for Boaz and his family. She told me I should check out the ceramics place. When we got there after some time, I saw a really pretty pitcher. It was different warm colors. So pretty. I was so excited to get it for them. I told the person I would come back and pay before I left for the day. I then helped Debbie fold some material for a special order and then I left and was kind of in a rush to catch the bus from Arad to Be'er Sheva. I thought the ceramics person would be ready for me, but she didn't really realize I was in a rush. Finally I spoke up, telling her sorry, but I am in a big rush to catch a bus. I wanted to pay with a credit card, but that would take longer, so I just paid in cash. I ran out (not literally) and about 3 minutes later I saw that my shoe was almost going to be untied. I made a decision that it was better to tie it then, rather than wait until it came completely untied when I was really rushing. I put my shoe up on a ledge and then I accidentely bang the pitcher into the stone. After I tied my shoe I heard a jingle. Shit. It broke. I thought it was the bottom, but it ended up being the handle. I was in too much shock and just wanted to soak in what happened rather than reacting right away. I just thought about what I should do the entire bus ride to Be'er Sheva. Boaz's mom called me to ask if I was coming to Boaz's base that day for parent's day. I didn't know about it-which made our conversation a bit awkward...
When I got there, I bought falafel to make me feel better, and then asked Katie what I should do-she told me I should try and buy super glue and see if that would work. I called Moran, too, and she told me that I should get something new-she would take me to the mall the next day. Moran actually made me not cry and remain calm. The bus ride to Jerusalem was okay. I wanted to sleep, but wasn't tired. A boy who was sitting next to me kept on falling asleep on my shoulder! When I got to Jerusalem I started to walk to get the shuk. I don't know how this happened, but I forgot to turn and then I realized I was not familiar with this religious area, and retraced my steps. I was out of it. I did find my way and bought some banana clips before heading to the hotel. I walked and because I was going to get there really early, I called Nathan and we decided to meet up at a park. While waiting for him, I unwrapped the broken gift and was just so sad! This religious middle aged man came up to me and asked what time it was. When I told him, he asked if I was American and why I was in Israel. He also asked if he could sit down, but I told him my friend was coming soon. He introduced himself to me and shook my hand. He was a black hatter with curled pais. I don't mean to be stereotypical, but I would never expect that to happen!! After he said bye and chag sameach, Nathan came. I forgot to say that the whole conversation was in hebrew. Woo hoo. I officially no longer flip out when someone speaks. I can actually listen, and (slowly) respond! It made me happy. After talking with Nathan for a bit and catching up, we walked to the hotel.
I wasn't expecting to see everyone and it was so weird to see the seniors and even people my age in Israel who I have not really seen. It was overwhelming to see everyone and people coming up to me and hugging me. So nice to see certain people, but kind of funny when some people would say hi and hug me. A nice weird though. After my plate was full of food I had to hold it in one hand because Boaz called me. I then had dinner next to Zoe and got to catch up with her. It was so weird that it seems like the other day when she was on my driveway saying bye to me!! After eating and then talking with a lot of people, I went on a walk with the seniors to the windmill and then I took a bus back to beit ar el to fall asleep in Miki's bed. Ben Kline saw me "sleeping" and asked Anna why I was going to sleep so early. hahaha. He thought I didn't hear, but I did!!
Around 5ish we woke up and then after taking down the tents we started to head back to our apartments. We wanted to walk when it wasn't too hot out. We also wanted to wake up so we could see the sun rise. Too bad it was cloudy out. After walking for so so so long and being hot and sweaty and waiting for the masada bus to leave, I went back to my apartment. After being on my laptop to update things (Tamar Brown facebook IMed me!! So great.) I showered and instead of going back to bed, because I wasn't tired, I watched the newest episode of Gossip Girl. Wow it was crazy. After telling Debbie I would be a little late, so I could pack for the rest of the week, I packed up my backpack and went to volunteering. I am never in my apartment. I have been living out of my backpack. I come back to arad like once a week. It was hot out. For most of my time there I just labeled clothes. I was fine with that. After having some juice and a good nectorine in Debbie's apartment, I asked her what she thinks I should get for Boaz and his family. She told me I should check out the ceramics place. When we got there after some time, I saw a really pretty pitcher. It was different warm colors. So pretty. I was so excited to get it for them. I told the person I would come back and pay before I left for the day. I then helped Debbie fold some material for a special order and then I left and was kind of in a rush to catch the bus from Arad to Be'er Sheva. I thought the ceramics person would be ready for me, but she didn't really realize I was in a rush. Finally I spoke up, telling her sorry, but I am in a big rush to catch a bus. I wanted to pay with a credit card, but that would take longer, so I just paid in cash. I ran out (not literally) and about 3 minutes later I saw that my shoe was almost going to be untied. I made a decision that it was better to tie it then, rather than wait until it came completely untied when I was really rushing. I put my shoe up on a ledge and then I accidentely bang the pitcher into the stone. After I tied my shoe I heard a jingle. Shit. It broke. I thought it was the bottom, but it ended up being the handle. I was in too much shock and just wanted to soak in what happened rather than reacting right away. I just thought about what I should do the entire bus ride to Be'er Sheva. Boaz's mom called me to ask if I was coming to Boaz's base that day for parent's day. I didn't know about it-which made our conversation a bit awkward...
When I got there, I bought falafel to make me feel better, and then asked Katie what I should do-she told me I should try and buy super glue and see if that would work. I called Moran, too, and she told me that I should get something new-she would take me to the mall the next day. Moran actually made me not cry and remain calm. The bus ride to Jerusalem was okay. I wanted to sleep, but wasn't tired. A boy who was sitting next to me kept on falling asleep on my shoulder! When I got to Jerusalem I started to walk to get the shuk. I don't know how this happened, but I forgot to turn and then I realized I was not familiar with this religious area, and retraced my steps. I was out of it. I did find my way and bought some banana clips before heading to the hotel. I walked and because I was going to get there really early, I called Nathan and we decided to meet up at a park. While waiting for him, I unwrapped the broken gift and was just so sad! This religious middle aged man came up to me and asked what time it was. When I told him, he asked if I was American and why I was in Israel. He also asked if he could sit down, but I told him my friend was coming soon. He introduced himself to me and shook my hand. He was a black hatter with curled pais. I don't mean to be stereotypical, but I would never expect that to happen!! After he said bye and chag sameach, Nathan came. I forgot to say that the whole conversation was in hebrew. Woo hoo. I officially no longer flip out when someone speaks. I can actually listen, and (slowly) respond! It made me happy. After talking with Nathan for a bit and catching up, we walked to the hotel.
I wasn't expecting to see everyone and it was so weird to see the seniors and even people my age in Israel who I have not really seen. It was overwhelming to see everyone and people coming up to me and hugging me. So nice to see certain people, but kind of funny when some people would say hi and hug me. A nice weird though. After my plate was full of food I had to hold it in one hand because Boaz called me. I then had dinner next to Zoe and got to catch up with her. It was so weird that it seems like the other day when she was on my driveway saying bye to me!! After eating and then talking with a lot of people, I went on a walk with the seniors to the windmill and then I took a bus back to beit ar el to fall asleep in Miki's bed. Ben Kline saw me "sleeping" and asked Anna why I was going to sleep so early. hahaha. He thought I didn't hear, but I did!!
SUNDAY:
I got to volunteering at 10 and I organized the closets with the different fabrics. I also swept the floor (she didn't even ask me to do that!) Debbie then brought cut up watermelon and homemade apple juice for us and others to have. It was so good, especially on a hot day. I got to watch her cut the fabric and it was so cool. It was like 30 layers of fabric. Later we had lunch, with Rachel, the person she volunteers for, and Dikla (madricha) and it was so so so good. Different salads (typical Israeli and tomato with cheese) and fresh bread from the bakery and the main dish was omelets! Different things in it, so so sooo good. They are all such good cooks. All of them are similar, too. All are young middle aged and many with small children. All artists. It is crazy how they can make such good food for so many people. They all do it. I wish I could have good meals like that every day!
After lunch I was taught how to put price tags on the clothing with this gun thing. Took me some time to get the hang of it (and get staples into the stapler), but I got it down. When Debbie had to go, she dropped Rach and I to the mall to look to see if there are nice vases or picture frames at the mall for Boaz and his family. After being unsucessful (the mall basically only has clothing), we got really good ice cream. We then went back to our apartment to grab our laundry and then we did laundry. We think it was our last time doing laundry together :( I have a feeling that our clothes are not the clean because we stuff the washing machine with a lot of clothes. We only had one load of darks and one of lights. Michal met up with us there and she watched our stuff so Rach and I could go to the center of Arad, where we saw a camera store. We looked at frames for a bit and the heat got to our heads. We were a little crazy. After doing laundry, we had an apartment meeting and then rushed so Shai could give Rach, Michal, and I a lift to the observation point where we wanted all ים לים'ers to come. Elana also got a ride with us. We only had 1 tent, but in the trunk, I saw that Shai had one and so I grabbed it (I asked him though). Everyone else bailed. It was okay. We decided we can do a tekes and just not camp out-just burn bracelets onto each other and have a campfire.
It was really calm out and although it was cloudy we could see some stars. We had some melted chocolate and sat back on the plane sculpture thing-wrong word, but oh well. Around 10ish we decided to go to bed. Oh, it was windy out so our tent was swaying. It was also not cold out. Exactly the opposite, which is annoying because it is supposed to get cold in the desert at night. When we got into the tent, we wanted to have ventalation, but the mesh thing on the door didn't shut all the way. The bugs were so annoying. It was also so hot. Rach and Elana eventually fell asleep, but Michal and I could not. Then we heard Israeli teenager voices. Great. They were being loud (2 boys and 2 girls) and they were asking where the vodka is. AH. Then they saw our tent and started to freak out and ask "מה זה אוהל????" and then tried waking us up by yelling slecha and one of the boys saying "ehh excuze me?" Even if I was sleeping, I would have woken up. I was cracking up and told Michal to say something! When she said "כן?!" the girl asked "יש לה איש?" after all of us responded lo, that was it. They woke us up just to ask if we had a lighter. So rude! Eventaully, I think they were a bit creeped out by us, so they left. Michal and I still couldn't fall asleep, so we got up at like 12:30ish and made the other tent in the dark. It was much better. There was more space so we could be a little cooler and the mesh zippers worked. In the middle of the night I woke up and it was a little chillier, but mostly just really, really windy. I usually love sleeping in my sleeping bag and outside-I get the best sleep. That did not happen this night.
I got to volunteering at 10 and I organized the closets with the different fabrics. I also swept the floor (she didn't even ask me to do that!) Debbie then brought cut up watermelon and homemade apple juice for us and others to have. It was so good, especially on a hot day. I got to watch her cut the fabric and it was so cool. It was like 30 layers of fabric. Later we had lunch, with Rachel, the person she volunteers for, and Dikla (madricha) and it was so so so good. Different salads (typical Israeli and tomato with cheese) and fresh bread from the bakery and the main dish was omelets! Different things in it, so so sooo good. They are all such good cooks. All of them are similar, too. All are young middle aged and many with small children. All artists. It is crazy how they can make such good food for so many people. They all do it. I wish I could have good meals like that every day!
After lunch I was taught how to put price tags on the clothing with this gun thing. Took me some time to get the hang of it (and get staples into the stapler), but I got it down. When Debbie had to go, she dropped Rach and I to the mall to look to see if there are nice vases or picture frames at the mall for Boaz and his family. After being unsucessful (the mall basically only has clothing), we got really good ice cream. We then went back to our apartment to grab our laundry and then we did laundry. We think it was our last time doing laundry together :( I have a feeling that our clothes are not the clean because we stuff the washing machine with a lot of clothes. We only had one load of darks and one of lights. Michal met up with us there and she watched our stuff so Rach and I could go to the center of Arad, where we saw a camera store. We looked at frames for a bit and the heat got to our heads. We were a little crazy. After doing laundry, we had an apartment meeting and then rushed so Shai could give Rach, Michal, and I a lift to the observation point where we wanted all ים לים'ers to come. Elana also got a ride with us. We only had 1 tent, but in the trunk, I saw that Shai had one and so I grabbed it (I asked him though). Everyone else bailed. It was okay. We decided we can do a tekes and just not camp out-just burn bracelets onto each other and have a campfire.
It was really calm out and although it was cloudy we could see some stars. We had some melted chocolate and sat back on the plane sculpture thing-wrong word, but oh well. Around 10ish we decided to go to bed. Oh, it was windy out so our tent was swaying. It was also not cold out. Exactly the opposite, which is annoying because it is supposed to get cold in the desert at night. When we got into the tent, we wanted to have ventalation, but the mesh thing on the door didn't shut all the way. The bugs were so annoying. It was also so hot. Rach and Elana eventually fell asleep, but Michal and I could not. Then we heard Israeli teenager voices. Great. They were being loud (2 boys and 2 girls) and they were asking where the vodka is. AH. Then they saw our tent and started to freak out and ask "מה זה אוהל????" and then tried waking us up by yelling slecha and one of the boys saying "ehh excuze me?" Even if I was sleeping, I would have woken up. I was cracking up and told Michal to say something! When she said "כן?!" the girl asked "יש לה איש?" after all of us responded lo, that was it. They woke us up just to ask if we had a lighter. So rude! Eventaully, I think they were a bit creeped out by us, so they left. Michal and I still couldn't fall asleep, so we got up at like 12:30ish and made the other tent in the dark. It was much better. There was more space so we could be a little cooler and the mesh zippers worked. In the middle of the night I woke up and it was a little chillier, but mostly just really, really windy. I usually love sleeping in my sleeping bag and outside-I get the best sleep. That did not happen this night.
Also from Rach...
SATURDAY:
We all slept through our alarms for like 9 and didn't get up till 10ish. Let's just say we finally left the hostel at about noon which really pissed a lot of us off bc we were ready and waiting for others. Eventually we left and headed for the beach.
Eilat is hot. Oh and I forgot to mention that this weekend was gay pride weekend. It was about a mile walk but felt like much more. We finally settled on a spot, put our stuff down, and went in. The Eilat beach is not sand but rocks. The water felt so nice but the rocks hurt our feet. We laid out. Jessica and I went to aroma where we shared a sandwhich and salad and drank ice limondas. It was delicious and perfect. And very much needed to get away from everyone. What a surprise, people had begun to tick me of. We returned to the beach and beached some more. Then we packed up and started walking to the CBS. Again, some people took longer than others and we were running out of time so we had to grab a cab. We hate doing that. So some of us were even more annoyed.
So we had bought roundway tickets Eilat-Beersheba but Monica lost hers. At the ticket cooter they wouldn't let her buy another bc this bus was filled. The driver let her though. Since the bus ride is 3 hrs there is a stop where Monica was almost left behind.
On the bus from Eilat to Beersheba I finished my book-No Time For Goodbye--it was decent with a really good twist at the end. Good story, okayish writing. Since then i've been blogging on my iPhone in notes to be sent to email and then evetually to blogger. Can't wait for my phone to be a phone again!
Some things that I've learned about traveling with lots of people: don't! I should just give them the information and let them plan on their own. It's too much. We were 9 girls. Way too many girls for me to handle.
This week should be interesting with Shavout coming up. We will be in Jerusalem. Then there is Desert Queens on the 20th and I'm spending shabbat with Moty and Efi and hopefully I'll see Raanan and Sharon this week in Jerusalem. So once again I won't be in arad that much. But next week, last full week I'll be there the whole week. It's been almost three months for a whole week in arad. Boy! Does time fly.
(back to me now):
Once we got back to our apartment, we all showered and were happy to be home. I kept on seeing a pigeon come into our bathroom before I showered, and after I showered, it had come back in, so I shut the window a little bit. When I brushed my teeth, the pigeon had come back into the apartment and then once it saw me it flew right out. Why did it keep on coming in? I decided to look where it kept on going-into our cabinet. On the bottom shelf I saw a nest and a fricken EGG!!!!!! We voted and decided to keep the egg alive.
SATURDAY:
We all slept through our alarms for like 9 and didn't get up till 10ish. Let's just say we finally left the hostel at about noon which really pissed a lot of us off bc we were ready and waiting for others. Eventually we left and headed for the beach.
Eilat is hot. Oh and I forgot to mention that this weekend was gay pride weekend. It was about a mile walk but felt like much more. We finally settled on a spot, put our stuff down, and went in. The Eilat beach is not sand but rocks. The water felt so nice but the rocks hurt our feet. We laid out. Jessica and I went to aroma where we shared a sandwhich and salad and drank ice limondas. It was delicious and perfect. And very much needed to get away from everyone. What a surprise, people had begun to tick me of. We returned to the beach and beached some more. Then we packed up and started walking to the CBS. Again, some people took longer than others and we were running out of time so we had to grab a cab. We hate doing that. So some of us were even more annoyed.
So we had bought roundway tickets Eilat-Beersheba but Monica lost hers. At the ticket cooter they wouldn't let her buy another bc this bus was filled. The driver let her though. Since the bus ride is 3 hrs there is a stop where Monica was almost left behind.
On the bus from Eilat to Beersheba I finished my book-No Time For Goodbye--it was decent with a really good twist at the end. Good story, okayish writing. Since then i've been blogging on my iPhone in notes to be sent to email and then evetually to blogger. Can't wait for my phone to be a phone again!
Some things that I've learned about traveling with lots of people: don't! I should just give them the information and let them plan on their own. It's too much. We were 9 girls. Way too many girls for me to handle.
This week should be interesting with Shavout coming up. We will be in Jerusalem. Then there is Desert Queens on the 20th and I'm spending shabbat with Moty and Efi and hopefully I'll see Raanan and Sharon this week in Jerusalem. So once again I won't be in arad that much. But next week, last full week I'll be there the whole week. It's been almost three months for a whole week in arad. Boy! Does time fly.
(back to me now):
Once we got back to our apartment, we all showered and were happy to be home. I kept on seeing a pigeon come into our bathroom before I showered, and after I showered, it had come back in, so I shut the window a little bit. When I brushed my teeth, the pigeon had come back into the apartment and then once it saw me it flew right out. Why did it keep on coming in? I decided to look where it kept on going-into our cabinet. On the bottom shelf I saw a nest and a fricken EGG!!!!!! We voted and decided to keep the egg alive.
stole this from Rach...
FRIDAY:
We all woke up and got dressed and meeted up outside waiting for the tour to pick us up.
So in the facebook event I had written that the trip only includes lunch, a snack, and water. People asked me many times and I said that there is no breakfast. Do people listen to me? no, of course not. Jessica Michal and I had bought cheese in Beersheba to go with our crackers for the morning. Others bitched most of the day about not eating anything for breakfast.
Michal and Monica didn't get money the night before so they went with Tomer, tour coordinator, to get money and meet us at the border. The rest of us were in the mini bus going to another hotel to get a bunch of others including a bunch of juniors that are doing a semester abroad in Tel Aviv University. They were mostly from the east coast so while we were waiting at the border crossing into Jordan we played Jewish Geography. In the actual line for passport control I met someone from Poway who actually went to Chabad of Poway for a bit and went there for preschool and we knew all the same Jews but not each other. He is two years older.
We all cleared the border and walked through no man's land to the Jordanian side. We boarded our DesertEco Tour coach bus and started on the 2ish hour drive to Petra with our tour guide Alie. Along the way our tour guide told us about Jordan, the coast line, and Acaba-the fastest growing city in Jordan. Mt Aaron was pointed out, Aaron, Moses brother, is supposidely burried and is a holy site for Jordanians bc he was a profit for monotheism. We looked at the country side and napped. The towns we dove through look like Arab towns in Israel.
We made a pit stop along the way. We stretched and took pictures. Driving along we had passed these huge tents that people live in. They reminded me of Bedouin tents more more rectangular instead of circular. We passed them while driving so I didn't get that good of a look at them.
Things took longer than expected at the border so we didn't get to Petra till almost 1ish. We went to the visitor center after having baklava where we could go to the bathroom, get a map and other information stuff.
Then we finally started on our tour.
Here is a little blurb about Petra from Wikipedia:
Petra means rock in Arabic and is a historic and archaeological city in the Jordanian governate of Ma’an. It has rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established around the 6th Century as the capital city of the Nabataeans. It was unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was indroduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. “A rose-red city half as old as time” and “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.” Chosen by BBC as one of the “40 places you have to see before you die.”
So it was good to check Petra off our Bucket Lists. It was beyond beautiful but an exhausting day. We finally all made it back to the bus at 4, hot and tired. We then drove 10 mins to Petra's Magical Restaurant where we had a buffet lunch that was delicious. As soon as we entered the establishment we bee lined for the bathroom to wash our hands. There was an assortment of salads, rice, beef/vegie stuff to put on rice, chicken, fish, steamrd veggies and pasta. It was all yummy and it was supposed to be authentic Jordanian food but it's all the same to me. I love middle eastern food. And the best part was there was watermelon! I love watermelon season! We relaxed and then got back on the bus to head back to the border. We all slept on the bus. Katie got me back and took a picture of Jess and I sleeping bc I had taken one of her and Naomi.
We arrive to the Yitzchak Rabin Border Crossing and we are all ready to just get back to our hostel and shower and get sushi or something. I turn my phone back on and bc it says cellcom I decide to call home. I talk to my parents for a little bit but then had to go through security and passport control. We all proceeded through security and are doing fine till Elana's bag goes through the xray machine. And just like that we all get whisked away to the outside. Some of us have our bags others don't. Some don't have their passports bc the security personel were still holding them. We had no idea what was going on other than shit it's elana's bag again-there had been issues in the CBS in Jerusalem but they never had this big of a problem. Most people were by the exit but the 9 of us were kind of cornered off. Some security guards are talking to Elana and we are all amazed that she isn't crying. Eventually nothing is settled but they let us get our bags and continue to passport control. The security personel weren't allowed to share with Elana what exactly the issue was. While In line for passport control everyone is talking about it and us. We clearify that it wasn't bomb and that it's just her backpack. Everyone recommended that she gets a new one. We all got visas for a month. Sadly we were again reminded that we have just over 2 weeks left. :(
So eventually we all got back to the hostel. We procceed to shower in the 4 showers. These are the nicest showers I've had in a while. My shower in arad is a showerhead in the middle of a bathtub so there is very limitted rom, sarel is just a faucet head and katie's apartment is leaking a little bit. It was wonderful.
We put on clean clothing, and for four of us--Naomi, Jessica, Katie and I- that meant the same thing, black skirt and white tank. I got dressed first. I was outside hanging out when she comes out to tell us something. Naomi was outside with us in pjs and was like wouldn't it be funny if I put that on too. Do it! Jessica was like guess what katie is putting on? No! Yea! We looked like fools. It was funny.
We were all just hanging out at the picnic tables out front, drinking, playing cards and what not. Our game of bullshit was never completed.
Monica Michal and Hailey left to go to the infected mushroom concert. They were pretty out of it when thy left.
We were hungry so we went to the 24 hr store to but stuff. We really wanted to buy challah and eggs to make French toast in the morning but they didn't have any. We thought that everything would be open even though it was shabbat but it's only like that in the city center apparently. So we bought some chips and just hung out outside. Where we met some israelis from Beersheba that we hung out with for a bit. Eventually we went back to the arava. The boys weren't outside so we decided to go to sleep.
FRIDAY:
We all woke up and got dressed and meeted up outside waiting for the tour to pick us up.
So in the facebook event I had written that the trip only includes lunch, a snack, and water. People asked me many times and I said that there is no breakfast. Do people listen to me? no, of course not. Jessica Michal and I had bought cheese in Beersheba to go with our crackers for the morning. Others bitched most of the day about not eating anything for breakfast.
Michal and Monica didn't get money the night before so they went with Tomer, tour coordinator, to get money and meet us at the border. The rest of us were in the mini bus going to another hotel to get a bunch of others including a bunch of juniors that are doing a semester abroad in Tel Aviv University. They were mostly from the east coast so while we were waiting at the border crossing into Jordan we played Jewish Geography. In the actual line for passport control I met someone from Poway who actually went to Chabad of Poway for a bit and went there for preschool and we knew all the same Jews but not each other. He is two years older.
We all cleared the border and walked through no man's land to the Jordanian side. We boarded our DesertEco Tour coach bus and started on the 2ish hour drive to Petra with our tour guide Alie. Along the way our tour guide told us about Jordan, the coast line, and Acaba-the fastest growing city in Jordan. Mt Aaron was pointed out, Aaron, Moses brother, is supposidely burried and is a holy site for Jordanians bc he was a profit for monotheism. We looked at the country side and napped. The towns we dove through look like Arab towns in Israel.
We made a pit stop along the way. We stretched and took pictures. Driving along we had passed these huge tents that people live in. They reminded me of Bedouin tents more more rectangular instead of circular. We passed them while driving so I didn't get that good of a look at them.
Things took longer than expected at the border so we didn't get to Petra till almost 1ish. We went to the visitor center after having baklava where we could go to the bathroom, get a map and other information stuff.
Then we finally started on our tour.
Here is a little blurb about Petra from Wikipedia:
Petra means rock in Arabic and is a historic and archaeological city in the Jordanian governate of Ma’an. It has rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established around the 6th Century as the capital city of the Nabataeans. It was unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was indroduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. “A rose-red city half as old as time” and “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.” Chosen by BBC as one of the “40 places you have to see before you die.”
So it was good to check Petra off our Bucket Lists. It was beyond beautiful but an exhausting day. We finally all made it back to the bus at 4, hot and tired. We then drove 10 mins to Petra's Magical Restaurant where we had a buffet lunch that was delicious. As soon as we entered the establishment we bee lined for the bathroom to wash our hands. There was an assortment of salads, rice, beef/vegie stuff to put on rice, chicken, fish, steamrd veggies and pasta. It was all yummy and it was supposed to be authentic Jordanian food but it's all the same to me. I love middle eastern food. And the best part was there was watermelon! I love watermelon season! We relaxed and then got back on the bus to head back to the border. We all slept on the bus. Katie got me back and took a picture of Jess and I sleeping bc I had taken one of her and Naomi.
We arrive to the Yitzchak Rabin Border Crossing and we are all ready to just get back to our hostel and shower and get sushi or something. I turn my phone back on and bc it says cellcom I decide to call home. I talk to my parents for a little bit but then had to go through security and passport control. We all proceeded through security and are doing fine till Elana's bag goes through the xray machine. And just like that we all get whisked away to the outside. Some of us have our bags others don't. Some don't have their passports bc the security personel were still holding them. We had no idea what was going on other than shit it's elana's bag again-there had been issues in the CBS in Jerusalem but they never had this big of a problem. Most people were by the exit but the 9 of us were kind of cornered off. Some security guards are talking to Elana and we are all amazed that she isn't crying. Eventually nothing is settled but they let us get our bags and continue to passport control. The security personel weren't allowed to share with Elana what exactly the issue was. While In line for passport control everyone is talking about it and us. We clearify that it wasn't bomb and that it's just her backpack. Everyone recommended that she gets a new one. We all got visas for a month. Sadly we were again reminded that we have just over 2 weeks left. :(
So eventually we all got back to the hostel. We procceed to shower in the 4 showers. These are the nicest showers I've had in a while. My shower in arad is a showerhead in the middle of a bathtub so there is very limitted rom, sarel is just a faucet head and katie's apartment is leaking a little bit. It was wonderful.
We put on clean clothing, and for four of us--Naomi, Jessica, Katie and I- that meant the same thing, black skirt and white tank. I got dressed first. I was outside hanging out when she comes out to tell us something. Naomi was outside with us in pjs and was like wouldn't it be funny if I put that on too. Do it! Jessica was like guess what katie is putting on? No! Yea! We looked like fools. It was funny.
We were all just hanging out at the picnic tables out front, drinking, playing cards and what not. Our game of bullshit was never completed.
Monica Michal and Hailey left to go to the infected mushroom concert. They were pretty out of it when thy left.
We were hungry so we went to the 24 hr store to but stuff. We really wanted to buy challah and eggs to make French toast in the morning but they didn't have any. We thought that everything would be open even though it was shabbat but it's only like that in the city center apparently. So we bought some chips and just hung out outside. Where we met some israelis from Beersheba that we hung out with for a bit. Eventually we went back to the arava. The boys weren't outside so we decided to go to sleep.
THURSDAY:
On Thursday we once again skipped breakfast and then after last announcement session, we went to volunteering. We were told once we got there that we weren't needed until 10. Great. We decided to get our ice cream then. Some people were sitting there and we all got our own ice cream for the last day. Once we got to volunteering we just hung out there and talked with Arthur-once he came back. After joking around with everyone, we were done with volunteering because we had to go to where we went the first day. All Sarel volunteers were there (including the cheks) and same with the important officer. We got fruit and pastries and after the officer thanking us and saying how great it was to have us here and how much it meant to the soldiers and him, he gave us the picture we took the other day laminated and a keychain. We told Arthur that we wanted to have lunch with him...and we did :) We talked with him and got to know him a little better. After lunch, we had to pack up and get ready to go. Arthur walked with us and then we took a few pictures and hugged goodbye.
After returning our uniforms and packing up, I was walking outside when I saw him again!! He came to give us the pin that goes on the berets and a base tag!!! I hugged him again. Then we had so much free time because the bus was running really late. Great. We walked around the base and went to where other people volunteer and went back to our place to hang out for a view minutes longer. They all joked that they didn't want us to go and then locked us in! We ran around to the side door, but when we got there he was there! We all screamed. Finally we had to go because the bus was close, but that was a lie, again. We then just sat, waiting for the bus. Finally the bus came.
We left Sarel, Bat Sheva in Rishon Litzion, after waiting for the other group coming from the north, which was late and made us worry about getting to Be'er Sheva on time. We got to Arad and Rach, Monica, Michal, and I jumped out of the bus. Grabbed our sleeping bags and ran up stairs-went to the bathroom, and Rach grabbed a thing of crackers bisquits and peanut butter. It was the 9 of us and Phil, our Sarel madrich, going to Be'er Sheva. He was to go to his home in tel aviv while we continued to Eilat. He kept making announcements on the ride to arad that everyone needed to hurry up at our stops because some people need to go to Eilat. When people were asking me where we were going after sarel we needed to give a very long answer - arad, Be'er Sheva, Eilat, Petra, Eilat, Be'er Sheva, and then back to Arad for a couple of days. Yep, a couple of days.
So the bus ride to Eilat was uneventful. We got off and were really excited for the weekend. We had directions to the hostel but couldn't tell what a street sign said so we asked for directions. We were literally 5 mins away.
We checked into the Arava Hostel and put our bags down. Some of us showered. Others were outside making friends with others staying at the hostel - a bunch of guys living on a kibbutz and doing ulpan right now - alex and zack twins from parkcity that were originally born in anheim, Garreth from South Africa who made Aliyah in oct and wants to be in the navy(met him when i was going to shower and him to pee), a kid from Toronto, hillel from Ny who had left ny bc of legal issues, nat or Nathaniel also from ny, and one other guy who I can't remember where he is from or his name...oops. Anyways, some girls were drinking with the boys, some stayed up to 3 and others went to bed around midnight. I went to be with the earlier bunch, we needed to get up for Petra at like 6:20!
On Thursday we once again skipped breakfast and then after last announcement session, we went to volunteering. We were told once we got there that we weren't needed until 10. Great. We decided to get our ice cream then. Some people were sitting there and we all got our own ice cream for the last day. Once we got to volunteering we just hung out there and talked with Arthur-once he came back. After joking around with everyone, we were done with volunteering because we had to go to where we went the first day. All Sarel volunteers were there (including the cheks) and same with the important officer. We got fruit and pastries and after the officer thanking us and saying how great it was to have us here and how much it meant to the soldiers and him, he gave us the picture we took the other day laminated and a keychain. We told Arthur that we wanted to have lunch with him...and we did :) We talked with him and got to know him a little better. After lunch, we had to pack up and get ready to go. Arthur walked with us and then we took a few pictures and hugged goodbye.
After returning our uniforms and packing up, I was walking outside when I saw him again!! He came to give us the pin that goes on the berets and a base tag!!! I hugged him again. Then we had so much free time because the bus was running really late. Great. We walked around the base and went to where other people volunteer and went back to our place to hang out for a view minutes longer. They all joked that they didn't want us to go and then locked us in! We ran around to the side door, but when we got there he was there! We all screamed. Finally we had to go because the bus was close, but that was a lie, again. We then just sat, waiting for the bus. Finally the bus came.
We left Sarel, Bat Sheva in Rishon Litzion, after waiting for the other group coming from the north, which was late and made us worry about getting to Be'er Sheva on time. We got to Arad and Rach, Monica, Michal, and I jumped out of the bus. Grabbed our sleeping bags and ran up stairs-went to the bathroom, and Rach grabbed a thing of crackers bisquits and peanut butter. It was the 9 of us and Phil, our Sarel madrich, going to Be'er Sheva. He was to go to his home in tel aviv while we continued to Eilat. He kept making announcements on the ride to arad that everyone needed to hurry up at our stops because some people need to go to Eilat. When people were asking me where we were going after sarel we needed to give a very long answer - arad, Be'er Sheva, Eilat, Petra, Eilat, Be'er Sheva, and then back to Arad for a couple of days. Yep, a couple of days.
So the bus ride to Eilat was uneventful. We got off and were really excited for the weekend. We had directions to the hostel but couldn't tell what a street sign said so we asked for directions. We were literally 5 mins away.
We checked into the Arava Hostel and put our bags down. Some of us showered. Others were outside making friends with others staying at the hostel - a bunch of guys living on a kibbutz and doing ulpan right now - alex and zack twins from parkcity that were originally born in anheim, Garreth from South Africa who made Aliyah in oct and wants to be in the navy(met him when i was going to shower and him to pee), a kid from Toronto, hillel from Ny who had left ny bc of legal issues, nat or Nathaniel also from ny, and one other guy who I can't remember where he is from or his name...oops. Anyways, some girls were drinking with the boys, some stayed up to 3 and others went to bed around midnight. I went to be with the earlier bunch, we needed to get up for Petra at like 6:20!
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