Eastern Adventure in Israel

Whitney, Nicole, Dan and I set off early Wednesday morning for Ein Gedi, a nature reserve encompassing a few Wadi's near the Dead Sea. Little oasis' with pools of gushing water - almost like a little piece of jungle amidst a sea of sand. We did a few other things in the area before retiring at the Youth Hostel.

It was so beautiful out and Ein Gedi was a sea of color and waterfalls.

At 4AM, we awoke, dressed, and headed to Masada. However, you can't enter the park until sun up. So, we waited. Then, as they opened the park, I bounded up and was the first person to hike to the top. As I arrived though, people came out of the cable car. My plans to take some photos sans people were dashed to pieces. I raced past them, but as I took out my camera, hoards of kids poured out from the western side coming up the roman road. I gave up at that point.

We continued our day in Eastern Jerusalem finishing up in the Dead sea where I went through two mud treatments. It was wonderful. Lunch in the shade and then we headed to Jerusalem to drop me off, only getting slightly lost.

Water Slide in Ein Gedi

Dan was the first in our group to attempt the natural water slide, and we all followed shortly after with screams of excitement!

Duck Duck Goose or in Israel, Duck Duck Goops!

The Argentine playing Duck Duck Goose. and Musical Chairs:

Tel Aviv for the day

After I made breakfast, we headed into Tel Aviv for the day. It was lovely out, and we walked from the central bus station down to the beach. Eventually, we settled on the beach near Hotel Opera, and after finding some shade, set up camp for the afternoon. Within a little while Whitney and Nicole were sleeping, so I went to find some snacks for us.

Popping Chocolate, Strawberries and Bomba in hand I headed back to the beach. Gelato looked amazing, and so I grabbed a small thing of it just before stepping onto the beach. Before I even arrived back where we were, most of the Gelato had melted onto my hands and was dripping into the sand. I dropped the other items off, and decided to eat the Gelato as fast as possible to avoid losing more.

Brain Freeze!

Whitney and Nicole tested the waters, but decided to wait for warmer days. I never even made it into my bathing suit.

Afterwards, in the late afternoon, we meandered North along the beach, and then headed into the city. Ended up at the same place where I had my cappuccino previously. We decided to break our fast from bread there, and had a nice relaxing meal. On the way, we walked through independence park, and stopped to see the sun set.


















Afterwards, we meandered through Tel Aviv until it was close to 11 and then headed to Mikes Place to hear Izy, my roommate, play at an open mic night.  We shared some nachos, listened to music and then caught a sherut home.  It was an excellent evening.

This morning I woke up late, or so I thought.  I quickly got dressed, and went to Ulpan at 8:30.  Jonathan (Argentine) showed up half an hour later.  It was around that time that I checked my phone and discovered that in fact class wasn't until 10:00.  I ended up sleeping in front of the building, sprawled out on the ground while Jonathan copied some of my verb sheets.

After Ulpan, where almost the entire class eventually showed up, I went to Arab Kadima.  We ate there, and then played games with the children.  First it was musical chairs, which Judita led.  She wasn't feeling well and left shortly after.  Then it was duck duck goose.  Except, that they couldn't say it, so it became "duck duck goops".

You can see a short video of Musical Chairs on youtube.com.  Take note of the Argentine in the third round, wearing a yellow shirt.

In the evening I headed into Tel Aviv to meet up with friends and drive back, stopping to pick up groceries for our trip for the next few days.

Easter in Jerusalem and a Second Seder

This morning I woke up late and headed to Tel Aviv after a little bit of breakfast.  It was very very hot.  We arrived at the central bus station, and caught another bus to the old city.  After arriving, we eventually found our way through the old city from Damascus Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  There we met up with Whitney, who had come in early.  We spent some time watching people, and then they started clearing out the entrance.  We waited to see what would happen.  After a while, a procession arrived.

We stayed until the Easter procession passed through, and then headed out in search of lunch.  Eventually, we found a place by the Roman columns.  The food was filling, though not particularly tasty.

From lunch we headed towards the Kotel.  I debated on the way about putting on Tefillin, but then remembered that it isn't worn on holidays (or so I have been told).  The wall was filled with people, but I eventually made my way to the front, and after spending a few minutes, I headed back up to where we agreed to meet.


On the way back out we looked for a juice place for fresh squeezed orange juice.  Eventually, we found  a place and had some orange juice fresh squeezed.  As we left, Whitney found a place to have pomegranate juice, which was tasty.  Bitter, but enjoyable.

We caught the last bus back to Tel Aviv, where Nicole and Whitney hopped in a cab to head to their second seder with family friends of Nicole.  I walked over -

I just had this crazy thought as I was sitting here writing this, I will return to my day in a moment.  I could use the transcribing aspect of google voice to create a blog.  When back in the states, I can call my google voice number, leave a voicemail which will be transcribed and emailed.  I will have it email to the blog email, which will post it as a blog entry.  Now I just have to figure out how to put in photos as well.

- to meet Yael at the corner.  She had invited me to a second seder at her house.  We stopped at her apartment on the way, and I was able to take a quick shower which I probably needed after a day of walking through the old city in the sun.

Yael's family is both awesome and amazing.  Her mom and dad are both really interesting.  I wish only that I had more time to talk with her three sisters.  Chaval Hazman (It's a pity for the time).  Her family lives on a moshav in a beautiful home, I am looking forward to seeing it during the day.  We ate a small feast, and then sat around talking and exchanging stories over coffee and tea (and delicious dessert and dessert wine).

Musical Chairs at the Arab Kadima

And after we played Duck Duck Goose, which turned into Duck Duck Goops.

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