So our first full day, and what a day it was... | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

So our first full day, and what a day it was...

So our first full day, and what a day it was. We started with getting into our teams and following a map to our first challenges, which involved a ropes course, shooting paintballs, and working as a team to not touch the ground while moving from one spot to the next, using just two wooden boxes. Now that our teams were starting to get close, and come up with names, my group choosing, Hamshet Ha Muflaim, meaning Fantastic Five, because we are the only team with five members.

So then we drive to Tzfat where we find out our second challenge of the day would take place. What a challenge it was! Our teams were released upon the city with a map and clues to find the golden coins, in order to win the scavenger hunt challenge. We needed to use navigation and teamwork to win.

 

We discovered the art and history of this holy city, all while running up and down dozens upon dozens of stairs, as Tzfat is built on a mountain. My team of Bevan, David, Sam, and Katya were put with team 10 and sent on our way. Keeping track of 9 people all at once was not easy, but we managed. We also discovered that Israelis can be very friendly. We went around asking the locals where to find Synagogues and why the cannon was still there.

 

Bevan ended up asking a friendly man for help, and in the process the three boys were asked to put Tfilin on, some for the first time. Then the Israelis and the boys danced around as they experienced the religious side of Tzfat. Then we continued on, running around looking for more coins. In the end, my team came in second! We learned a lot, and had a great time exploring the city.

 

I can't believe how amazing this trip has been going. Everyone is from all over the States, and there are four of us from Canada, and of course the Israelis that have joined us, so the diversity has created an incredible experience. Learning Hebrew from, and teaching English to Katya has been a whole new side of being educated. So far the trip has been very rewarding, and I can't wait to kick butt in the next challenge!

 

- Bus/Popsicle Blogger (and proud North American and Canadian) Melanie Ravka