Beach Day and Tel Aviv

Due to the rearranging of our itinerary we had a free day today, which we spent playing in the Mediterranean and walking around Tel Aviv. Our bus dropped us off near Caesarina, an ancient port city built by Herod which was to be the "pagan capital" that was the counterpart to the "religious capital" of Jerusalem. The beach was beautiful (except for the excessive tar deposits that ruined many a pair of socks) and the water warm and relaxing. It was just the sort of rejuvination we needed.




After the beach, we were fortunate enough to take a walking tour of Jaffa and see the old Arab city. It's architecture was fascinating and its antiquity stood in starch contrast to the bustling metropolis of Tel Aviv whose skyline was always visible.

However, as the saying goes, the best is saved for last. After Jaffa our professor told us that he had just received word that a peace protest had been scheduled in Tel Aviv and we could go and see it, if we promised not to participate. The scene in downtown Tel Aviv was incredible and unlike anything I had witnessed before. Throngs of people, estimated to be around 1000 waved flags, chanted slogans, and marched in support of peace and to show solidarity with those who have recently suffered because of Israel's policies. Equally fervent was the counter demonstration held a block away by citizens who support Israel's tough stance against the Freedom Flotilla. It was an exhilirating feeling to see such a peaceful expression of politics, when history has shown how violent such things can become. After a few minutes, we jumped back on the bus and went to Tel Aviv's port for some dinner before returning to Jerusalem. Following the professor (he knows all the secret spots) we came to a restaurant with tables and lights strewn across the beach. Here, facing the sea, I enjoyed a mojito with my feet buried in the sand as the Mediterranean's waves gently rolled onto the beach before me. After the intensity of the seminar, this day on the coast was sublime

Beit Shean

Today, in the next couple of hours, another ship will be approaching Gaza in order to break the blockade. One of the people we met, a senior adviser in the Israeli government, said that the only mistake the Israelis made with the "freedom flotilla" was that not enough force was used. The the view he espoused to our group is surely echoed in the halls of the Knesset. While we remain optimistic for the best possible outcome, we have prepared for the worst. Beit Shean is the border crossing we are to take into Jordan in the eventuality that war breaks out. I for one do not believe we will need to know this, but it is comforting to have a plan nonetheless. Our day will be spent in Jaffa and Tel Aviv, enjoying the sights and sounds of the port cities. More pictures to come

Oh the Places We Go...

So far this experience has been absolutely eye-opening as well as educational. Within our first week we visited holy sites such as the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock; we spoke with individuals such as Abu Alaa and the Settlers, representing multiple dimensions of the conflict; and we have experienced the beautiful scenary that Israel has to offer.

Here are just a few examples of the places we've been:

The Wailing Wall

Sunrise at Masada

The Dome of the Rock

I am excited to see what adventures we will have next!

Masada and the Dead Sea

Tuesday was an early day, we got up at 2am to leave for Masada at 2:30am. It was only about an 11/2 drive, but we wanted to be able to see the sunrise. Originally we were scheduled to go to Ramallah, but the flotilla incident changed our plans. Instead, we found ourselves waking up super early to climb a mountain, all before the sun was even up. Masada is only about 350meters high and the hike didn´t seem like it was going to be too long. Once we started hiking, we realized how steep the grade was. After a few mishaps with directions, we got onto the correct path and began our ascent. Having been a few years since my last hike and starting out at a very fast pace to try and reach the tip before the sunrise, I soon found myself behind the main group. I ended up hiking with a few other girls and we knew we wouldn´t be able to get to the top in time so we decided to hike as high as possible and then stop for the sunrise. It was gorgeous. Watching the sun rise over the Dead sea was certainly an experience.
Once we got to the top of Masada, we walked around and explored the ruins for a bit before hiking back down the mountain. It was strange to have already climbed a mountain before 6am Israel time. Everyone at home was just going to bed. We rested a bit and then began the drive to the Dead sea. It wasn´t quite what I expected. The shore was more rocky and the waves were crazy. I didn´t expect the sea to be quite so choppy. I went in anyway, eager to see what it was like. You can definitely float on the water, but not as much as I was expecting. After floating around a little while and getting some salt in my eyes, I got out and waited for the rest of the group to be done. I definitely had a great day and really enjoyed combining the mountains and the seas.

Masada

I hate waking up early. But if I'm to wake up at 2a.m., I can't imagine a better reason than to hike up Masada, a desert mesa, in order to watch the sun rise over the Dead Sea. The hike was daunting - a 45 minute trek up the "snack path" that was over 400 vertical meters and included over 700 steps. However, upon reaching the plateau and gazing out over the Dead Sea, the fatigue was quickly forgotten. We had reached the summit with only minutes to spare before the sun emerged from the horizon. The sight inspired awe. Maybe waking up early isn't so bad after all. . .

we're here!

Although the arrivals were staggered, we all arrived safe and sound. My trip started on Thursday May 27 in Cairo where I took the bus to Taba, a border town in Sinai. I then crossed through the border by foot in Eilat. The Israelis must have really liked me since they held me there for 3 1/2 hours. Once I got through the border I took another bus from Eilat to Jerusalem. The drive was stunning because of the changing landscape. I love the desert and think it is a magical place. It was amazing to drive through the Negev and then see it slowly become more green as we neared Jerusalem.

It took a total of 16 hours of travel to get to the hotel and I was very excited to take a shower and not be in a moving vehicle anymore. After I settled in I found three other people from the program in the hotel who I wandered around the Old City with the following day. About 10 minutes after stepping out of the hotel we came across a scuffle in the street where a man allegedly tried to take the gun of an IDF solider. It was a very real welcome.

The first official day of the program was sensory overload where we saw the separation wall, as well as the temple mount and drove around greater Jerusalem with two different tour guides. I am still processing my emotions and thoughts from it all.

Being here is exciting and heavy. The information is overwhelming, especially since I felt that I had a good grasp on the conflict, but seeing is something else entirely. I also realize that I have not seen anything yet.

Arrival in Jerusalem

This is going to be a very short post just to share my initial thoughts and start my blogging experience. After some sleep, I will post a more in depth entry blog.

The only place in the Middle East that I had been to before my arrival in Israel today was Egypt. Just driving around in the taxi from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and seeing the people in the streets and what their homes looked like is very different to me. I am in awe of Jerusalem and its history, the little I´ve seen is beautiful and I cannot wait to experience more. I know this program will fly by so fast and I can only hope to absorb as much as possible and use this amazing experience in my future endeavors.