An [extened] weekend in the North

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Shalom! It's Monday evening in Israel at 7 PM, and for most of you back home, it's mid-Monday morning so here's wishing each of you a very happy Monday from Israel. Shavuah Tov (this means, have a good week!)

It has been a very fast paced but enjoyable past three days. It all began on Friday when I took the train up to the North of Israel. I took the train to Akko, where Snir picked me up. From the bus stop we went to his house where I met his family, dropped my bags quick, got a quick bite to eat, and we were off to tour Israel. We went to see Rosh Hanikra. It's a beautiful site in Israel, and for those of you who aren't familiar with it, it is an area with caves in the water, and very close to the border with Lebanon. I have now come into close encounter with the border of Jordan, Lebannaon and Syria on this trip to Israel. Crazy and fascinating! The caves were beautiful, and we even took the touristy cable car ride down to the caves (thanks to Snir for being such a sweet host to me all weekend..) Our next adventure was very authentic and Israeli....we had tea and desserts on the ocean. It is very often than Israelis will spend time at the ocean brewing tea and enjoying each others company. Also joined by us was Snir's brother, who is serving in the Israeli Defense force right now. (Another interesting fact for those of you who don't know; ALL Israelis serve in the army post high school, and than continue with their University education after the army.)

Friday Shabbat was one big Jewish event....I was surrounded by Snir's WHOLE family, I mean whole family (savta, cousins, aunts, uncles, family friends...) Many of whom did not speak English. It was quite the experience to have a whole meal with non-English speakers. At my last Shabbat with Reuven's family it was much smaller, and, more English speakers. I sure felt more immersed in the Hebrew language at this Shabbat, which is not a bag thing 😊

Saturday was a hiking day, and joined with us were Rueven and Schacar. I was very happy to be with a hand full of great Israeli friends 😊 Pre-hike they introduced me to an Israeli snack--Pita Druizit. This is a large pita with cheese, zatar(a seasoning), falafel, and vegetables. The pita is cooked on something similar to a grill. I enjoyed the Pita Druzit....but I think a regular falafel is still my street food of choice in Israel. We began our hike through what looked smilar to a Minnesota landscape--many trees and rivers. But I was reminded that we were not in Minnesota when we took a break to have shashuka. This was yet another big perk of having Israeli friends in Israel. They showed me a common Israeli breakfast...it was eggs, seasonings, vegetables, and bread. Scahar cooked for us on a small gas tank in the wilderness! I loved being immersed into the culture of Israel this way! Saturday night we went for a chocolate tree to "Art de coco" with some of Snir's friends! A very fancy-chocolate reastartuant near his "village" of Tel Al. Here, it's often that they are called villages verses neighborhoods like we are used to in the states.

SUNDAY was the most adventurous hiking I have done in quite some time and I enjoyed it so much! I am so happy to have Israeli friends who can bring me to these beautiful places. We went to the Golan Heights to hike....or should I say water hike? Our hike was nearly 4 hours and we went through a river that was almost 2 meters deep, full of slippery rocks. Sound fun? YES! At the end of our hike was a beautiful waterfull, which was surrounded by a swimming area that was 24 feet deep. The park ranger at the waterfall told us "you haven't lived unless you've swam in there!" so, I took it upon myself to get in the water at swim. It was cold, but so worth it. After our hike we went to see Snir's old army base and I got some wonderful schnitzel from an authentic Israeli place where many soldiers were eating too. Being immersed in that authentic part of Israel was such a great experience 😊

Well friends, I know there is so much more to say about my weekend trip and I want to write more fun you, but it a bit past 10, and it's about my bed time! I will blog more later. Keep reading my blogs, it inspires me to know that I have such loyal readers! I love you all!

Peace and love.

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Comments

[g an d g]

Sarah, you inspire us with your adventures. You are amazing! Love. Gand G

[carlene]

hi sarah looks like you are having fun you certainly are touring every where love you love mom