Jerusalem, if I forget you... I'll come back next week!

Hello Birthright Bus 159 Parents, Today is the third day of our middle eastern adventure in Israel. Day two has easily surpassed day one as the best day of the trip. Bus 159 has begun to breakdown our jet lag, along with the miserable meal we were fed on our flight to Madrid. What’s more, were breaking down the social barriers that stand between the majority of the group who attends the University of Illinois, and the small percentage of stragglers who don’t. It’s hard making friends when thirty-five out of the forty kids on the trip live in the AEPI fraternity or SDT sorority house. In addition to a host of U of I frat stars, we are traveling with a group of seven Israelis who are clearly the most fun and exciting people on the trip, even though they have no greek affiliation. Fortunately, by now our stomachs have settled along with some great friendships! So far this trip has been amazing. Some short highlights include seeing a series of stray animals, the great weather, The Counting Crows, and classic Michelle Nagel moments. Yesterday, after a short afternoon session of tanning and listening to Matchbox Twenty, we descended into old Jerusalem on a quest to see the Western Wall. We all really bonded in Jerusalem after seeing two stay cats, and taking over two hundred pictures of each other. This group has really bonded over the art of picture taking, and the potential for great social networking. Nonetheless, the Western wall was a site to see, it was inspirational to be in the holiest place in the world. The group seized the moment, putting our letters to God in the wall, and snapping a couple quick pictures, with the exception of sophomore Jeremy Rosenfeld who had his only holy experience in the bathroom. The night ended well, with everyone learning a thing or two about the history of Jerusalem, and modern-day baggage security. Like night one, the group experienced a peaceful four and a half hours of sleep, two and a half for those who were on the hybrid couch bed. Day three came quickly, and started out with a luscious breakfast in our gorgeous Kibuts, filled with fun and friendly Israelis, goofy tourists, and a rival Birthright trip, who we do not get along with. After a scrumptious 7:45 breakfast, we took a neat hike through the mountains of our Kibutz, overlooking the rocky yet sophisticated terrain and landscape of Israel. Once again, the hike was highlighted by tons of great pictures, and a sing along with a group of women from the Kibutz, a memory no one will forget. After a quick lunch and a sunglass shopping spree at a local boutique, we got on our luxurious bus (headlined by Rhyd, our bus driver who is a great driver, but an even better man) on route towards Yad Vashem Israel’s holocaust memorial museum, arguably the most famous museum in the middle east and possibly the biggest landmark in Israel. Seeing the museum was a saddening yet moving experience. It brought the group together and for some, put the significance of the event and this trip into perspective. A short discussion on the steps of the entrance and we were off, back on our Bus 159, pursuing life, love, and a fresh tan. The trip is getting better and better, and we are now approaching our next Kibutz-hotel. Only God/time will tell what Israel has in store for the University of Illinois greek life retreat that is Bus 159. Until next time, thanks Erez! “I think you better turn your ticket in” Counting Crows, Omaha. Hi mom! Sincerely, Adam Gutman