Group Post!!1!!
Although it was initially intimidating to have a wake up time of 6:30 in the morning to make a 7:30 breakfast, our geriatric bedtimes the night before made it easier than expected. We wound our way down the Golan Heights and around the Sea of Galillee to the Upper Galilee where we started hiking at the top and worked our way to the bottom, passing cows, caves, and... cowpies (who knew cows could hike?). If anyone had told us we would be basically crawling down the side of a cliff, I doubt that many of us would have been as thrilled, but we all faced the challenge, holding on tightly to the rope that kept us on the side of the mountain. When we reached the bottom hours later, it was truly amazing to look back up at where we came from. We enjoyed ice cream and wifi on the side of the road, then got back on the bus to our next stop!
Our next stop quickly brought us back to the reality of Jews struggling to forge their own place in both historical and modern Israel. Stopping at a well known graveyard in the Kinneret,we were treated to some of the most beautiful verses ever penned in the Hebrew language, as our guides read (and sang!) poems written by two wellknown poets buried in the cemetery. After this stop, on we headed to the ultimate cultural experience of the day: our first taste of authentic falafel, shawarma, and Israel's version of Pinkberry. We now proudly
concede that chickpeas, not carbs, are the true staple of a healthy diet. (Ben, Renee, & Jesse, Harvard)
However, the snail-paced bus itself may have been the ultimate bonding experience for us, with enthusiastic and vigorous chatter pulling our would-be bus nappers back to consciousness. In fact, the witty banter was so intense that it kept us from reaching acharon in our count-off (acharon means last, and is what the last person, number 47 says).
The adventure then took a sober turn. We briefly stopped at another cemetery to say Kaddish for Valeriya's great aunt. [Valeriya, a participant on the trip from Harvard, has a great aunt buried in Katzrin, where the group was scheduled to stop for lunch. She requested to see the grave, if time permitted, and the group decided to support her, and say Kaddish together with her, -Staff].
From there, we ascended the Bental mountain by bus to taunt the cold with our warm and living bodies. We were humbled by the tales of death over this beautiful,elevated, fertile land of delicious apples, cold grown cherries, and skiing. We were sad so many people had to die in big metal tanks. We peed our pants all the way back to the Kibbutz, for the cafe at the top of Bental wanted to charge us a Shekel to use their restroom. It was worth it. (Zach, Harvard, and Irina,MIT)
After a little downtime in the Kibbutz and a delicious dinner of chicken and hot dogs, we gathered for some group activities. First, in true Birthright fashion, a little speed dating. After several rounds of discussion on topics ranging from past romantic relationships to Israel's current relationship with Syria, we "kick-ball-changed" topics and learned some Israeli dances. When we were all sufficiently schvitzy, we retired. (Jana & Hilly, Harvard)
Yes...we retired. Who can top that?
