Blogs from South District, Israel, Middle East - page 22

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Middle East » Israel » South District April 5th 2006

Right, so where to start. Many of you received my first and only email so far. I can't quite remember where there brought you to chronoligcally, but I'll basically just go from start to finish here anyway. I'll try and maintain this blog throughout the rest of my travels, fingers crossed. So like I said things were slow at first. It is clear that it takes some time to get used to such independence and an absolute NEED for maturity. However, its hard to dwell on that seeing as things have picked up so much. We are now blessed with a really fantastic group of volunteers. Its a real culture mix, as if things weren't interesting enough without the opportunity to meet such a varied group of people. The camraderie obviously starts on the field; work ... read more
The beach, Ashkelon
Avoda avoda avoda (work work work)
Hitching a ride

Middle East » Israel » South District » Eilat January 26th 2006

DOLPHIN REEF EILAT, on the shores of the Red Sea, is an ecological site unique in Israel and throughout the world. You can enjoy a natural atmosphere, magical views, secluded beach, together with the unusual opportunity of meeting and observing dolphins in their natural habitat. Cindy, Dana, Shy, Nana, Yampa, Luna, Nikita, Sheba and Neo. Hm... i think i've found my new favorit animal!!! ... read more
dolphins
dolphins
dolphins

Middle East » Israel » South District January 25th 2006

So much has happened since I was last in touch...time has flown by unbelievably quickly! After a bit of a hectic ending, the semester did come to a close, and immediately afterwards I flew out of Israel to Chicago. I had a very short, but nice visit with family and friends. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to catch up with everyone. I am now back in Israel, but the second semester of school doesn't begin until the middle of February. Until then, our group is learning and volunteering on a Kibbutz in the Southern Arava Desert. The Kibbutz is called Kibbutz Lotan. This is a fantastic place. It's mission statement is to be a source for Reform Zionist Eco-friendly living. The people are friendly, interesting, and they love what they do. The scenary ... read more

Middle East » Israel » South District » Eilat January 20th 2006

Israel, here I come! After 2 hours of scanning and checking the luggage I was finally there. Yifat and here friend Maya were waiting for me. We stuffed all my things into the car and drove directly to the beach. I thought that meant a relaxing afternoon sunbathing or just looking the sunset. But it was a party, a great party though. My first impression of Israel in its real image. Young, old, girls, boys, kids, students, grannies… everyone were singing, dancing, drinking, eating (in Israel you always get small pretzels and olives with your drink), talking, they were all enjoying themselves. Well, we were all enjoying. That’s how Israel is. Full of great positive energy, there is no sign of boredom, no sign of monotony. It’s work (most of them have 2 or 3 jobs), ... read more
Eilat
Eilat
Eilat

Middle East » Israel » South District » Ein Gedi December 29th 2005

Note from Jim: We haven't put up our blog from Wednesday but here are Thursday's activities from Leigh. We now know how to get comments to be seen so you can resume sending in comments! Not sure when we'll get up-to-date. But hopefully it'l be soon. Now on to Leigh and Thursday's trip to the Dead Sea Region. Didn't wake up early enough...rushed breakfast...Jim toppled his plate onto his lap and had to change pants--it bugged him for HOURS. Masada Then we took a long bus ride to Masada, a flat-topped mount next to the Dead Sea which was originally developed as a winter palace for King Herod (a Jew whom the Romans appointed King of Judea in 37 BC/BCE), but which became a Jewish stronghold against the Romans from 70-73 AD/CE. It is a phenomenal ... read more
Sam on Masada
Sam in Bedouin Tent
Arad

Middle East » Israel » South District » Arad December 2nd 2005

Tel Arad was absolutely huge! Spread out over a whole bunch of acres. After we explored it for a few hours, we moved on. That night, checked into a hotel in modern day Arad, a beautiful town that seems to appear out of nowhere when you are driving through the desert.... read more
The Desert Blooms

Middle East » Israel » South District » Ein Gedi December 2nd 2005

Since we arrived too late on Friday afternoon, the actual Ein Gedi spring was already closed for Shabbat. We looked at it from a nearby hill, though. We didn't have long because a freakish wind storm blew in and we had to grope our way back to the bus. ... read more
Let's climb it!!!
Ibex

Middle East » Israel » South District » Arad November 21st 2005

Wow. I have not written in a long time. Yesterday Ayal, one of the Israeli guards of my building, the Mercaz Clita, or Absorption Center, in Arad, commented that I always look tired. After telling him that he should stop being such a typical unkind Israeli male, my friend Emily and I had to agree with him. I am exhausted. Constantly. Primarily because I am never ever free. I take 4 or so hours of Hebrew Ulpan (intensive Hebrew language study) 4 days a week. Difficult enough but to add to the difficulty, I am also in a level a bit above me and should therefore be learning at least 20 new words a day to keep up. One of my teachers (I have 2 that switch off without coordinating their curriculums, and am thus being ... read more

Middle East » Israel » South District » Eilat November 16th 2005

A beautiful horizon of dark turquoise water relaxes and tempts you to sit, to hear it longer, to listen to its moaning, soft up-and-down of the miniature breaking waves. Just within reach. Almost a complimentary sound, the arabic princess gracing the speakers above brings up images of her smooth and curving facial features, kind of like the arabic alphabet. She sings her song of anguish and loneliness, I presume, because the slow ballad rhythm slows the heartbeat and her sounds linger with rolled r's and k's. Alas, I am broken from her spell by the colorful sustainance arriving in the hands of an obvious non-native english speaker, but his English suffices to get across our salutations. Reds, yellows, pinks scatter the bed of greens, and the awaited salavation breaks through the dam. Pure bliss, to be ... read more
Obelisk
Chillin'
This is light traffic

Middle East » Israel » South District » Arad November 4th 2005

Talk about a strange 2 months. I had some hesitation about leaving Thailand earlier than I expected, felt like maybe I should have explored the area more, but one of the most striking things about my recent travels has been the contrasts between all the places I have been. First, Thailand, land of amazing food (oh man, do I miss it), coconut milk shakes, sandy beaches, cheap markets, and wandering around alone wondering what the hell to do with myself. Then Paris, a city that just oozes charm. I swear, just being there gave me a high. (Luckily my roommate here lives just outside Paris so now I have 2 people I can crash with when I go back.) Then driving from there to Spain, seeing the gorgeous countryside lit up with autumn leaves, going to ... read more




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