This past week was sadly my last week of work... I was really really sad to leave the kids.. I had really grown attached to some of them and the idea that I might not see them again made me so so sad. But the week itself was a really good one!
On Sunday I went to the pool all day with the camp.. we had a great time just playing all day.. seriously these kids know how to play.. I think they thought I was their personal doll to just dunk under water and jump on top of and drag around all day.. it was really fun.
Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal, just camp, running, and hanging out. Wednesday was my last day at the camp, and that evening I went with about 10 other members of our Career Israel group to Jerusalem for the most AMAZINGG wine festival EVER! This place was unbelievable, first, it was at the Israel Museum outside overlooking the entire city which was lit up and absolutely breathtaking. Second, there were huge stands from various wine manufacturers all over the place, so obviously we were extremely excited to run from place to place sampling all different kinds of red, white, and even pomegranate wines (which were WAYY too sweet by the way). There was a jazz band playing, cheese, fruit, and bread stands to eat at, and hundreds of people scurrying to and fro trying to consume as much alcohol as possible :) Very fun.
Thursday I was lucky enough to have the day to do as I pleased, and so Ashley, Emily, Becca, and I all walked in the blazing heat to Yafo (did I mention this past week was a heat wave? Cause it was an actual heat wave here, somewhere around the equivalent of 105 degrees Fahrenheit here), and did some exploring in the shuk there. We attempted to go to a place referred to as Israel's Blind Museum where you are blinded and have to experience an exhibit as a blind person, but we found out that that is actually some place else, and that what they have in Yafo is a center for people who are deaf and blind to work, and people can come and eat a meal in a blackout room where you are served by blind people, and where you cannot even see your hand waving in front of your face! We made reservations and are planning to eat there next week, I'll let you know how it goes. Emily and I ordered a coffee from the coffee bar where everyone is deaf, and learned how to order an iced cappuccino in sign language! Very cool.
That night I was lucky enough to be taken to a concert on the beach in Herzliyya, which was definitely a great time!
Friday was an AMAZING DAY for Ashley and I. We had the opportunity to make our way into the West Bank for a tour of the area by a woman we know from Kfar Saba. When I first met this woman and she told me she lived in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, I immediately asked her, "Oh wow, aren't you so afraid? Don't you feel like you are in danger?" and she laughed and said, "Alright, you are coming to see where I live and learn all about the area!"
So Ashley and I got picked up by Hila's neighbor who happened to be in Telly, and made our way through the border patrol security and into the West Bank
and learned all about the history of the place and why it is so controversial now. It was amazing to see a place where we have all been taught is so dangerous and in such a state of anarchy, because it is in fact no such thing! It is quiet, calm, and so carefully guarded that you cannot help but feel safe. We learned so much about the area, and I feel so much more well informed now that I have been there and seen it all myself.
That night Ashley and I were hosted at Janine's for a BEAUTIFUL Shabbat dinner, which was of course delicious and so much fun for us.
Saturday was an adventure! Me, Emily, Beth, Ashley, and Daphny decided to all take a SURFING lesson! We had a lot of fun, but I'll be honest people, it was not a pretty sight ;) Legs were flying, boards were crashing into people, salt water was in the eyes, and bikinis were falling off. I can honestly say that after two hours of an "intensive" lesson, I am no better of a surfer now than before. Oh well, it was an experience to say the least.
A few hours later I had the pleasure of bumping into a few stragglers that some of you might find familiar!
I was beyond thrilled to see some familiar faces, and we are planning to get together again hopefully this week!! Yay AEPhi in Israel!
Now I find myself sitting in the laundry place/cafe where people can do laundry, eat, and skype all at one time! Is that multitasking or what?
Tomorrow Ashley and I are off to Jerusalem for a tour of the Muslim quarter, and hopefully some seriously delish pita and hummus!
Love you guys, write again soon!
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