38 days of studying abroad in Israel
Day 1:
From
the airport we headed to the hotel in Jerusalem. Once we got to the hotel, we
went downstairs and had dinner. Later That night we went out to get some wine
and beer. The beer was not too bad; I only took a sip to try it. I ended up
drinking some white wine. I like it a lot. After that we walked back to the
hotel and went to sleep.
Day 2:
We
Walked down to the Shuk (or market) and we walked around. Everything looked
amazing. I bought some dried fruit. After that we went to an archaeological
dig. We found some pottery and a giant rock. We also went through some caves
and it was pretty cool. After the dig we went to a park with an amazing
overview and we had a BBQ. We also went to the Kibbutz. That night a few of us
went to Jerusalem and went to a pub and drank. It then started to pour, which
is unusual for Israel in May.
Day 3:
The day
started off with a brief lesson on the history of Israel. After lunch we took a
tour of the Kibbutz (which was kinda cut short because of the rain). Once the
rain had settled we took a tour of the Kibbutz's winery. While there we tasted
a few different wines. Some were better than others, but my favorite was the
white wine. After that we had a lesson on current events in Israel. We then had
some free time before heading to the city by bus and train. We had dinner in
the city. Of course I got shawarma and falafel in pita. Since we were already
in the city, we all went out for a drink.
Day 4:
Day 4
was an uneventful day. We went to the mall and had a free day. I also took a midnight
walk around the kibbutz. It was beautiful and peaceful.
Day 5:
I woke
up and decided to walk around the Kibbutz to wake up. After lunch, 3 of us took
the short hike up to a Roman Crusade Castle and spent an hour exploring the
ruins. The view was breathtaking. I probably could've lived there. Since it was
a free day, I decided to read the book I had to read for class. I liked it but
I wouldn't have picked that book to read. 10 of us decided to go out to the
city to drink. The cab ride back was interesting.
Day 6:
Today
was the first day of class. The classes that I am taking are Israeli
Literature, International Terrorism, and the DIS (Directed Individual Study) on
Human Trafficking. After class I had free time so I wrote my paper that was
due.
Day 7:
Today
we had class all day. In the lit class we talked about the book Blue Mountain
and we talked about what we wrote in our papers. I wrote my paper as I was
listening to the story being told. In International Terrorism we talked about
the history of terrorism. I found it interesting how the revolutionary war
could be considered terrorism. After dinner, we headed to the bus station to
hand out surveys for the DIS. After the time was over, I went into the city and
went shopping.
Day 8:
In lit
class we watched a movie that was based in the same time zone as the book we
read. It was very interesting and different to anything I have seen in the
states. In terrorism class we talked about the different theories and how they
relate to terrorists and criminology. Then again, after dinner we went to hand
out surveys in the city for the DIS. Afterwards a few of us went out to drink
in the city.
Day 9:
Today
we had a tour of the Kibbutz. We also hiked down a mountain to the John the
Baptist cave. We then went into the old city. We saw the church that was built
over where Christ was supposedly crucified. We also went to the western wall.
We then had dinner in the old city. We then drove north to the Galilee.
Day 10:
We
started the day with a hike up a cliff. We were going to walked down the cliff
but there were too many people before us and it would’ve taken forever to walk
down. We then had lunch under olive trees. After lunch we saw an old temple
ruins. It was cool. Next we walked to where the Jordan River and the Galilee
meet. After a long day hiking and walking in the sun, we swam in the Galilee. I
laughed a lot and almost drowned sorta kinda not really haha. The day ended
with a family/group dinner in Tiberius.
Day 11:
Today
we saw the capharnum aka where St. Peter had lived. We also saw a temple from
the 4th century. We then went to the church that is on the mountain where Jesus
gave his big speech. After that we went to Zefat.
Day 12:
Today
we went to the Lebanon lookout and saw the Israeli and Lebanon border. We even
drove near the border. We saw Murat aka a city that was formed during the first
Aliyah. After that we kayaked down the Jordan River. We then had lunch in a
Druze village and we learned about Druze. We concluded the day by visiting the
Syrian/Lebanon/Israeli border lookout.
Day 13:
We
started the day off with a visit to the Bahai gardens in Akko. We also spent a
few hours in the old city of Akko. We even went through tunnels where I was one
of only ones who could stand straight up! I love being short sometimes. We then
went to Haifa to look at the Bahai gardens there. We ended the day in Zazaria
where we sat on rocks and looked at the sun starting to set.
Day 14:
First
day in Tel Aviv! I did laundry! Yay for clean clothes! I then spent a few hours
at the beach! I missed the beach!
Day 15:
We had
class today then went to Wix; a company that helps people builds websites.
Day 16:
We
spent the day touring Old Jaffa.
Day 17:
Flew to
Crete, Greece to start the long weekend! After we landed we went to a nearby
village and shopped.
Day 18:
Today I
explored a local village near the hotel. I then went to the beach and the got a
fish pedi.
Day 19:
Day out
on the boat! After dinner we walked to the village to shop. Most of us got fish
pedis. I got mine for free because the lady remembered me from the day before.
I also did the salt cave which was weird. A few of us just walked around and
grabbed a late night snack then headed back to the hotel.
Day 20:
Flew
back to Israel. Went to the clinic and found out my face has encountered an
allergic reaction to something; I have tonsillitis and an ear infection
(again!).
Day 21:
Class!
In lit we watch The Syrian Bride. I hated the ended. It was weird. In Terrorism
we talked how terrorists use organization. DIS we learned about research and
human trafficking. After dinner I hand washed clothes. What a fun day!
Day 22:
Today
was another class day (what a shocker). In Lit we talked about the book, The
Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God and other short stories. I thought the book was
good but weird. Like, really weird. In Terrorism we talked about Religious
Terrorism. Who knew that some Buddhists were also terrorists? After dinner, I
went out into town to hand out surveys for the DIS.
Day 23:
Today
was very emotional for me. We went to Yad Vashem or the Holocaust Museum and
Memorial. I cried whenever I read about things that happened in places where my
family is from, especially the Minsk info. I wonder if I had family still
living there during the Holocaust and if they survived or not. I want to look
more into it and see. After the museum
we had lunch under some trees then headed to Hebrew University. During the tour
of Hebrew University we got to see part of the West Bank and we learned about
an attack that happened there. It was cool but a tad bit scary at the same
time. We ended up having dinner in Jerusalem and it was Jerusalem Day! It was
cool seeing the celebration! Bonus! It was my 9 year Bat-Mitzvah anniversary!
After dinner we headed south for the weekend.
Day 24:
Masada!
Since I’ve already taken the Snake Path, I took the tram up and down Masada.
It’s safe to say that this time I didn’t fall going down Masada! I loved
learning even more about Masada than I had previously learned. It’s such an
interesting place. After Masada we headed to the Dead Sea. I like floating. I
think floating in the Dead Sea is one of the coolest things I have experienced
(even though it was my second time). After the Dead Sea we headed to Eilat,
where I walked around the mall just because.
Day 25:
We were
up bright and early to head over to Jordan! I can now say that I’ve walked in
No-Man’s Land! Once we all crossed the border to Jordan, we headed to Petra!
Petra is probably one of my newly found favorite historical places. The city is
a lot cooler in person than in the movie Indiana Jones (just saying). I thought
it was unique how they carved the city from the mountain. I would’ve given up
somewhere near the beginning of building it and kept going. I didn’t, however,
see any Transformers there. Once we got back into Israel after Petra, almost
all of us went out to dinner to get cheeseburgers (like real Americans lol). I
had this burger called a Ruben. It had cheese and bacon and meat and it was so
good! The food made me miss my mother’s cooking.
Day 26:
Today
was an adventurous day! I started my day with a walk around the Eilat mall and
got another fish pedi (I love it). We all then went to see the Israeli/Egypt
border. Afterwards we went snorkeling in the Red Sea. I saw so many different
types of fish, but the fish I saw most was the Zebra fish. They are so cute!
The coral reef was really cool too! I wish I could’ve swam around for a longer
time. I loved it! After dinner we went on a “star tour” and we looked at
different stars and constellations. We even got to see what Saturn and Mars
looked like through a telescope. I wish we could’ve stayed out longer. I love
looking at stars and staring at their beauty.
Day 27:
Today
started off with an optional hike down the Ramon Crater. Some people did the
hike, I did not. I decided that sleep was more important. Also, I am super
clumsy so I didn’t want to get hurt or anything. After everyone got back, we
went to a Bedouin camp and had some yummy food and tea! We then rode some
camels. We named my camel Sparky. Apparently Sparky loved to poop lol. We ended
the day with a drive back to Kibbutz Tzuba.
Day 28:
Another
fun filled day of class! In lit class we watched a movie called Time of Favor.
The movie is about an IDF solider that was in love with the Rabbi’s daughter
and they weren’t allowed to touch or talk to each other but they did. The
soldier’s friend was so into the rabbi’s studies that he took everything
literally. The Rabbi wants the soldier’s friend to marry his daughter, the same
daughter that is in love with the soldier. The soldier’s friend decides to take
his jealousy and focus on something else. He plots to blow up the dome of the
rock. The soldier, in the end, helps the IDF and Mossad foil the plan, but not
before the friend is shot down by another soldier. In terrorism, we talked
about terrorism and transnational crime and the difference between the two.
After dinner, I went to the bus station to hand out surveys. Afterwards, the fun
begins. We celebrated Alexis’ birthday. It was a blast!
Day 29:
Today I
only had one class, Terrorism. In class we watched a movie called The Attack.
It was about a man whose wife allegedly was a suicide bomber. The whole time,
the man is looking for clues to why the cops believe that his wife is the
bomber. In the end, he finds enough clues to believe that the cops were right
but he doesn’t tell them. The movie was really good. I suggest everyone to see
it. For dinner, we had a very yummy
Shavuot dinner. Plus cheesecake!
Day 30:
Today
was a “religious” day. We started off the day going to a very unique Christian
monastery that was in an Arab village that also has Jews in it. Abu Ghash is
such a unique and cool village. The monastery that we went to was around during
the crusades (or so I think). It was cool to learn about the history of the
monastery and the monk’s life. He gave up everything and became a monk. I
wouldn’t be able to do anything like that. I have a hard time separating from
my clothes and cell phone as it is. Next we went to a mosque. We learned what
it was like to be a Muslim in Israel and what Islam is. After hearing about
Islam, I realized how closely related it is to Judaism and how there is a lot
more overlap than I thought there was (which I thought that there was none).
After lunch, we had Baruch tell us what it was like growing up an Orthodox Jew.
I learned a tad bit more about my religion. His stories are very interesting to
me.
Day 31:
Today
we learned about security in Israel and about check points. It really is
intense. We then went to a bus stop that was once used for a suicide bombing
attack. There was a memorial set up by people in honor of those who lost their
lives. We ate lunch at an overlook of Jerusalem and it was very pretty. After
lunch we went to Nashashibi’s house and he told us his point of view.
Nashashibi is an important and rich Palestinian. After that, we went into the
west bank and to a Jewish community called Efrat. In Efrat we met a guy (I
forgot his name) who told us his perspective. After dinner we did some more
hours on handing out surveys for the DIS and then we went out to the bar
because whatever. I came home early and went to bed. What a productive day!
Day 32:
FREE
WEEKEND BEGINS! Today I basically did nothing but read and sleep. After dinner
I went to Shabbat services on the kibbutz. It was really short, all in Hebrew,
nobody was friendly, and nobody was together. Overall, I prefer the services
back home. After the service I headed up to where everyone was having a
bonfire. It was so much fun. I also learned that kosher marshmallows are gross.
Day 33:
Saturday
in Jerusalem…you can’t go anywhere or do anything. What did I do? I read, then
napped, read some more. Once Shabbat was over me and 2 other ladies went to a
salsa club and salsa danced all night. It was really fun. Everyone is always
surprised I can dance. It’s my secret weapon…lol jk.
Day 34:
My last
day of this free weekend was spent in the Old City. I finished buying all my
souvenirs for everyone. Afterwards, I went to the Western Wall to pray and to
see it once more before I fly home early Friday morning. Only 4 days left of
this adventure. I can’t wait to go home yet I am sad to leave.
Day 35:
Last
week begins. Today in lit class we talked about the book Almost Dead. I liked
the story. It's about a suicide bomber and a guy who has been in a ton of
terrorist attacks and survived them. In Terrorism we talked about
counterterrrorism. I think counterterrorism is such a cool job. After class I
pretty much did nothing except I packed a little.
Day 36:
Last
day of class!! There was no lit class today. In terrorism we talked about
terrorism in the media. We discussed how the Dark Knight can be a symbol of
terrorism. After lunch we had free time then after dinner we did the DIS. There
was so much traffic at midnight. Lol.
Day 37:
Today
we hiked to Safat, a nature preserve. We went through a cave which was really
cool. After lunch I went into town to do some last DIS hours. After dinner we
had a banquet where we said goodbye and received awards. I got most colorful
and most random with my stories. Most people went out one last time but I
stayed in and watched movies and had pizza.
Day 38:
LAST
DAY :(
Today a
lawyer came in and talked to us about how he used to be the person in the army
who made the decision if it was ok to blow up things in civilian areas. We then
packed up the bus and said goodbye to Tzuba and headed to Jerusalem. We then
toured the Supreme Court. I thought it was cool. We then had one last meal in
the shuk. On our way back to Tel Aviv we stopped at a kibbutz that had an
underground bullet factory that was active during the War of Independence.
After the kibbutz we headed to Tel Aviv where we had some free time to do last
minute shopping and then we had one last family dinner. We ended the night in
the airport.
Our
journey may be over but the memories we made are forever. I met amazing and
unique people who I cannot just call friends but I can call them family. I am
so blessed and privileged to have gone on this trip and to meet these people. I
can't wait until I can go back to Israel. <3
