Catching Up on the Last Few Days

Sorry I Havn't been keeping in touch the last few days,but as you will read It has been very busy. So I will catch you up on all the wild Israeli times you have missed!

Saturday 18th

• Went to a Israeli pub the night before.
• Went to the Beach with Ofek, Gal, Gili, Alex and the canadians.
• Alex's mom made us an authentic Israeli BBQ on the roof of their apartment building.
• Visted Rabin Square where the Prime Minister was shot.

Sunday 19th

• Took a Bus Taxi (Giant yet cheapish Taxi's) to Illy's house in Tivon
• Thought I lost my passport...but it was in my backpack
• Her family is very cool and VERYVERY welcoming
• Went to an older region of Haifa with Illy's friend Amir
• Asked man on bus what he thought of Arabs - Man on Bus said that it was god's will that they are unhappy!
• Went to a second hand Israeli book store
• Went to the Bi-ha gardens
• Got lost in Haifa
• Went back to Illy's to see May and her mother and drink bad Israeli beer made from Rye and non filtered.
• Packed for Jerusalam and Mays (only 1 dress 1 shirt 1 pair of pants for 4 night! Oy Vey!).

Monday 20th

• Took bus to Jerusalam met soilder on the bus and realized that my knee was touching his Gun after about an hour!
• Went to the Hebrew University to look at the Art Exibition with Illy
• Wandered the ground and tried to figure out where to sleep! - all hostels full
• Went to the Old City and found Hostel then wandered the market place
• Saw the West wall and got lost in the Jewish Quarters of the wall
• Ate the worst food ever in a restraunt in the old city- Stale pitas, old falaffel, greasy and cold fries, and sugar water posing as orange juice.
• Omar didn't want to waste it so we put the uneaten food in a ziplock for later.
• Went to Amber and Avi's (two of our Peace it Together Mentors) screening of their film G-town about a group of rappers living in a Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalam and rapping about their hardships while bringing the community together. - Amber suggested we may meet them when we are in the West Bank.
• When out to dinner with Amber and Avi and then to their friends house to hang out and listen to music.
• I met one man named Nalem who had lost his leg while filming for Reuters in Gaza. And though there was still time to save his leg, he was left bleeding at a check point for almost 24 hours and the wound was irrepairable - even though he had the proper permit to cross.
• Wandered around Jerusalam and then arrived at our Hostel late at night where we almost didn't get in!

Tuesday 21st

• Shopped in the Market, then went to a hidden Austrian Hotel for breakfast, ate apple strudel and drank espresso and talked for hours.
• My first attempt at bartering failed I and bought a camel leather bag for too much! Omar blamed himself for taking out his wallet to soon (as he carried half my money so i wouldn't loose it all) but he shouldn't.
• Took a bus to the station and as the bus went through a very orthodox neighbourhood an old women started yelling at me to coverup, so I put on the shawl I had purchased in the market for that very purpose.
• Took the bus to May's house in Karmeil with Illy. - Ate the ziplocked food while waiting in the bus station.
• Zahida and I tried to name all of the USA's State and failed - 38
• We then attempted to name all the countries in the world wihch was more successfull - 149
• Got to May's and then attended a goodbye party for teens going into the Army that week which was a big Israeli tradition.
• Was given a ride on a Motorcycle through the streets of Karmeil by a young man named Daniel VERY VERY Fun and Scary.
• Fell asleep talking to Omar on Ryans and Omars Bed - Omar grinds his teeth when he sleeps ;)

Wednesday 22nd

• Had traditional middle eastern cous cous for breakfast.
• May likes to sleep alot and Ryan was very tiered so Omar, Zee and I went for a walk through Karmiel and played football in the park then walked around and got lost for three hours!!!
• Went to another Goodbye party on the beach! and while I was swimming was knocked against the rocks and bruised my back. Ouch!
• Met many of May's friends who were very welcoming, kind and who loved to dance!

Thursday 23rd

• Had homeade Hummos (Pronounced Hoo-mas here) for breakfast
• Went for another walk around Karmiel with the Canadians.
• Taught them how to play the card game spud and we all made up a new Sport which is a mix between European handball, Football and Basketball.
• Sprained my ankle trying to score but iced it and raised it above my heart so it's mostly fine now.
• Made sushi from scratch with May's mom who is very cool then went to an Israeli folk dance to watch. However thery called the four canadian visitors to the dance floor and we tried to dance along! It was very very hard!
• We were invited to stay for slasa dancing but could not. So instead we salsa danced in the street and in the restraunt. - then a waiter asked me to teach him so I did!
• Came home and visited with more of May's friends and played poker until we had to go to sleep.

Friday 24th

• Said goodbye to May and her family who were all very kind and hospitable.
• Took a Taxi back to Illy's in Tivon and was greeted with snitchel and home grown chili peppers called tobasco and red dragon chili's - Zahida and Ryan were to scared to try the chilis but Omar and I ate three each!
• We are now going to visit Avner in Haifa and go to an Israeli Rock Jazz concert!
• Nazereth Tomorrow!