We arrived at Saad in the afternoon and got cleaned up for Seder. At 6:30 pm, we headed to the lovely Beit Knesset there for services (sadly, the first time I've been to Pesach services, I think, but still better late than never) and from there, to the Yemenite Seder! Ronit, who is also on Nativ, was also there, and her brother and her brother's friend, so there were a lot of young English speakers there, and it was really fun. Also, we READ THE WHOLE HAGADA in HEBREW which was pretty crazy. I found the only Hagada there with English translation and Meir helped me understand the discussions going on. The food was delicious, needless to say, and that Yemenite soup is to die for! We finished up around midnight as we were all falling into a food coma.
The next day perfect: wake up late for a walk around the kibbutz with friends and little children, eat a great lunch at the Yemenite place, read and nap, wake up for Seudah Shlishit at Yael's family's house, watch The Great Race, go to sleep again. I love days when the only activities are eating, sleeping, and being friends with other people. That's the best.
Wednesday, we set out for adventures in the south. First, we explored Mamshit, which is an ancient Nebotian fortress/village outside Dimona. Since it was Pesach and the entire country was on vacation, there were a lot of visitors and there was a arts festival inside the ruins where the real market used to be. That was really cool, to see it come alive. It was also a really interesting place, because it was a pagan/Christian settlement, not a Jewish one, which we don't see as often. Then we (Fred, Meir, Yael, and I) hiked Ein Avdat in Sde Boker, a hike I did with the Yerucham group when we visited in December, but it was still gorgeous and exciting. We saw a family of ibexes!! We concluded the day with a quick stop at the Ben Gurion graves, a supermarket stop, and the second half of The Great Race!
Thursday, we ate breakfast again at the Saad dining hall and then we were off to Ashkelon. After walking the midrachon (I think that's what it's called-it's a pedestrian mall) in Ashkelon and getting a little bit lost, we ended up at the train station just in time to get a train to Tel Aviv. It was the most delightful of train rides, and once in Tel Aviv, we picnicked in the park, walked a few blocks around the center of town, and then I met up with my Italy Reunion Tour friends (Adina, Rachel, Debbie, Ariella) for our camping/hiking adventure!
First, we trained to Naharriya. Success. Then we bought a few supplies and wine for our host family that coming Shabbat. Stress, but success. Then we took a sherut to our campsite, Achsiv. Also a success. Then we pitched tents, ate our food, enjoyed the sunset, told stories. Major success. Then we tried to sleep as it got colder and colder and colder out. Some succeeded, some boarded the failboat. Then we woke up at 6:15 am, took down our tents, packed our stuff, ate some matzah, dressed, and got our sherut to take us to the trail. Success. Then we hiked FOREVER-on the green trail (Nachal Kziv), along a river, up a mountain, to a fortress, around the fortress (it's called Monfort and it was built by French crusaders, bought by Germans, and destroyed by Mamluks and now it is just the coolest thing ever and there were a group of photographers there and I modeled for them!!), down the mountain, across a river, along the river, across the river back and forth twenty more times (there are no bridges, mind you, just some wobbly and wet stepping stones that completely failed us), with an Israeli youth group, up another mountain, and finally into the welcoming arms of ELKANA our savior. Success, because we survived, failboat, because there was never a moment when someone was hoping another wouldn't.
The following is all success: Elkana drove Rachel to the train station so she could make a family engagement party, then he picked us up and brought us to his family's house in Ma'alot. We were told that there were so many guests that weekend the house was overflowing, so naturally we were given the keys to the neighbors' house, where we stayed for all of Shabbat. We went to services and meals with Elkana's whole family, and everything was taim m'od and everyone was super friendly and welcoming. On Shabbat afternoon, we walked with Elkana and his wife down to a manmade lake in Ma'alot where there is a sculpture festival and lots and lots of things going on. Everyone was out enjoying the art and the nature and the festivities!
Motzei Shabbat, Elkana drove us to the train station and on the way he totally inspired us because he was talking about Judaism and observance and religion and synagogue and everything he said was amazing! We were all sitting with our mouths hanging open. The train ride back to Tel Aviv was nice and smooth, and we were able to find a bus right away to Jerusalem, and from there, a bus to Talpiyot, where we stayed with Young Judaeans for the night. The next day, we all met up in the center for some shopping and lunching (which is absurdly easy in Israel-every restaurant is kosher for Passover!), and then we parted again for second Chag. The Landau contingent picked me up and we went to JJ's for dinner and I slept at Josh's and everyone was just on their most hospitable and lovable behavior. I even went to shul again on Sunday night! On Monday, we all went to JJ's friend's house for lunch and it was another young family who invited even more families over and there were so many families and children everywhere, and it was fantastic. We barbequed and ate the barbeque and it was fantastic.
Monday night we were out late for an adventure with many friends in the center of town, and then again on Tuesday we explored the city, the shuk, and the Old City. We saw the new and improved Chorva synagogue and it was very beautiful, and we walked until our feet were screaming.
Tuesday night at the bus station, I spotted Reuben, Alex, and Eric, my fellow Yeruchamites. They saved me! I was planning on taking an 8:30 direct, but there WASN'T ONE! And they told me, and they told me which bus I should join them on, and when we had to transfer in Be'er Sheva, they helped me through the pushing and squeezing and cutting balagan that occurred at the entrance to the bus. I arrived safe and sound in Yerucham.
Today is Wednesday and I am working on the website and trying to make improvements, and tomorrow is work and then heading off to Tel Aviv for a birthday extravaganza!
PS. Rak po-counting the Omer on a restaurant receipt, right next to the date.
Rak po-a picture of the Lebuvavitch rabbi graffitied on a highway sign
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