Having a great time!
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010
Location: in transit from the Negev to Jerusalem
Well, it’s been a wild and crazy week in the Holy Land. Our days have been jam-packed with activities ranging from hiking and an archeological dig to Israeli folk dancing and Tel Aviv nightlife--we even visited three cities in one day (Tzfat, Haifa, and Tel Aviv). Shabbat, which we spent on a kibbutz in the Negev, was a much needed rest from our hectic tour. Today, after spending the night at a youth hostel, we woke up at the uncomfortably early hour of 4:30 AM for cake and coffee at 5:00 AM and a sunrise hike up Masada. After the hike up and down, we returned to hostel for breakfast. Then, we got on the bus, our mobile home-base, and headed over to the Dead Sea for some hardcore floating. Now, back on the bus and slightly salty, we are heading back to Jerusalem for our final night.
As crazy and exhausting as the trip has been, I can’t think of a more appropriate way to experience Israel. It’s mind boggling to think that in spite of all we’ve done, this there’s still so much more that we haven’t even seen!
As with any group, we come from diverse backgrounds and bring our opinions to every discussion--but that’s not a surprise considering that we’re all Tufts students and we’re all Jews. It’s been especially interesting to hear the Israelis’ views regarding topics including the army, the Holocaust, and religion. Of course, we often disagree with each other, but this allows us to learn more about each other and also to question our own beliefs.
This trip has been so inspiring that a few people wrote a song that chronicles our adventures and experiences (you’ll have to ask your kids about a few of the references, but most of them should make sense). The song, posted below, is sung to the tune of “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus--look it up on you tube.com if you are not familiar with this song.
A few words to know:
Ken = “yes”
Shwarma = an Israeli meat sandwich
Lior = our Israeli tour guide
Shnotz = a nap
Party in the Holy Land
Hopped off the plane at Ben Gurion with my kippah in my hand
Welcome to the land of milk and honey - am I gonna make friends?
Getting’ ready to get down with our Birthright
Get excited when we see the Golan Heights
This is all so new-ish
Everybody looks so Jewish
My tummy’s turnin’ and I’m feelin’ kinda homesick
I think I ate too much shwarma
That’s when Lior turns on the microphone, and the Morning Song is on
Yeah the Morning Song is on,
So I put my hands up, they’re playing my song
And the Bedouins run away
Nodding my head like ken, moving my hips like ken
Put my hands up, they’re playing my song,
We’re showing off our new folk dance
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
It’s a party in the Holy Land
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah it’s a party in the Holy Land
Went to Tel Aviv in Yossi’s bus, thought we’d take a look around
Like who’s that group that’s takin’ pics, must be from outta town
Went to the club with all the Israeli’s,
Definitely not a Medford party
They’re all doing the Hora,
Guess it was written in the Torah
My tummy’s turnin’ and I’m feelin’ kinda homesick
I think I ate too much shwarma
That’s when the DJ plays my favorite tune and the Morning Song is on
Yeah the Morning Song is on,
So I put my hands up, they’re playing my song
And the Bedouins run away
Nodding my head like ken, moving my hips like ken
Put my hands up, they’re playing my song,
We’re showing off our new folk dance
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
It’s a party in the Holy Land
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah it’s a party in the Holy Land
Taking schnots on the flyyyy
Saw Jerusalem by night
And we’re running out of time,
But when I see that nof it’s alriiiight
So I put my hands up, they’re playing my song
And the Bedouins run away
Nodding my head like ken, moving my hips like ken
Put my hands up, they’re playing my song,
We’re showing off our new folk dance
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
It’s a party in the Holy Land
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah it’s a party in the Holy Land
So I put my hands up, they’re playing my song
And the Bedouins run away
Nodding my head like ken, moving my hips like ken
Put my hands up, they’re playing my song,
We’re showing off our new folk dance
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
It’s a party in the Holy Land
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah it’s a party in the Holy Land
Shalom and l’hitraot--we’ll see you later!
