SH-22-443's blog

Shalom from Jerusalem! We had a long and exciting day. After the Americans and Canadians flew across the Atlantic, we all came together as a whole group for the first time in Ben Gurion airport, where the Israeli participants greeted their overseas counterparts with a rousing performance (especially given that it was 5:00 a.m.). All of us then did our first dancing together, right there in the airport... a dance called Od Lo Ahavti Dai. We boarded the bus and headed for the Haas Promenade.

How selfish are you? In a kibbutz there is no I, only we. During our first day at the Golan Heights Kibbutz, the group had no idea what to expect. The idea of sharing with your neighbor was a hard concept to swallow. You share your money, your food, houses, clothes, and the animals. So it was safe to say we were little skeptical...After a brief tour of the place, we quickly realized, that this was an amazing place. The people are great, and the rooms were fantastic. After a day at the pool, we were ready to close the sabbath and begin to get to know each other better.

We woke up bright and early to head out to the Golan Heights for our first major hike. Geared up with our sunscreen, hiking shoes, and sunglasses, we headed out not knowing what was in store for us. After a half hour driving through the mine infested Golan Heights, we relived the conflict between Syria and Israel while observing the bunkers. We began our hike descending down the mountain. The trail was not what we had imagined it to be. Dusty, covered with rocks, sloping up and down, it was tough yet exciting.

We were all sad to leave the Kibbutz, with the exception of looking forward to a new menu, notwithstanding the delicious food. We had a great time, including Shabbat dinner, Havdallah service, the pub with the townies, the first mini-hike before the Golan Heights, forcing stubborn boys' to drink water and wear aloe, having bathroom time in the great outdoors, and changing clothes at least 4 times each day. Also, we have learned so much from our Israeli counterparts; their perspective and openness has been invaluable and this trip would not be the same without them.

After a long, sleepless ten-hour airplane ride, it all started with my mysterious bruise. Doing countless name games and icebreakers helped us come to the realization that knowing the difference between FOUR Mikes, TWO Adams, TWO Dannys, and TWO Katies was virtually impossible. This was the birth of the infamous nicknames. On our bus we have "Cheeky Mike", "Punching Mike" (responsible for my bruise), "Fire Mike", and "Michigan Mike" (Erin's least favorite...GO GREEN!). We also have a comic relief which includes a unique partnership between Alex and Cheeky Mike.