I hate to admit it and maybe they will take away my Visa for this but…I kinda miss Christmas! It doesn’t quite feel like winter without tacky red ribbons on all the stores, Christmas lights everywhere and Christmas music blasting obnoxiously from all the radio stations. However, despite feeling less like I am AT home in the states, I’m starting to feel more like this IS home. I was at a bar last Friday night and I look over and there is a menorah next to a bottle of Smirnoff. Now maybe this isn’t the most the religiously appropriate way to display a menorah, but I love that Canukkah is everywhere, not just hidden on the countertops of a few houses in a predominantly Christian neighborhood. I was walking across a major intersection last week and I looked up to see a GIANT menorah. Only in Israel, and I love it!
Not very many people in Israel get time off for Chanukkah, but teachers do! I had a full week off to relax and enjoy “winter” in Israel. I also had to do a midterm test but I tried not to let that ruin my fun! Allie’s mom came in to town so I spent some time with the two of them. Her mom is one of the warmest people I have ever met and I had a great time with them in Yaffo. After that I spent most of the week getting organized, relaxing and going out with my friends, nothing too exciting but it was definitely nice to sleep in. On Thursday though I took a trip to T’verya (Tiberias) with Guille which was definitely the highlight of my vacation!
Because of the awesomeness that is my new country, getting to T’verya was really easy. We just went to the central bus station and caught one of the buses there that left every 20 minutes. It was a 2 and a half hour ride, not so bad considering I had company. I got to see parts of Israel I had not seen before and they were so beautiful, not surprising though considering everywhere I look in this country there is a new beautiful place to see. When we arrived in T’verya it was pretty rainy so we went right to our hostel. It was a little confusing since the hostel we were staying in had two buildings. Apparently we were at the fancy guest house by mistake but the guy at the front desk said “ we actually have an extra room at the guest house so you can stay here, no extra charge.” Sweet!
The next couple of days were wonderful. It was still raining the first night (okay torrential downpour is slightly more accurate) but we went outside to find food and found a couple streets full of restaurants. At dinner I was feeling brave and tried something that the waiter described as “the inside of a chicken mixed with onions”, and it was actually pretty good. We went to a cute little café to get dessert and were making extremely inappropriate noises as we ate what I think is the best chocolate cake EVER created. The next day we walked around along the Kinneret which is amazing up close. We also saw how low it is which is so sad! I have felt bad taking a shower ever since (but don’t worry, I am still taking them!) Also that day we rented a bike so Guille could teach me how to ride one! It was so exciting, by the end I was getting on the bike on my own and riding along the tayelet with no help while Guille ran along side of me. There was also a guy who was clapping and cheering for me as he ran by. Slightly embarrassing but I didn’t care. I rode a bike on my own, yay!!
The last day was also wonderful, we checked out of the guest house and went to a place called Gan Garoo. It is a park with koalas, birds, kangaroos and other animals. The best part though is that the peacocks and kangaroos roam free. I got to play with a kangaroo! SO COOL! There was also this giant maze that we got to run around in. We were definitely the only people there without children but it didn’t matter we had an amazing time! Before we left we had to have one last meal so we went to this restaurant that overlooked a gorgeous park and had some great food. After that it was time to get back on the buses and go our separate ways. I was sad to go but so happy to end my vacation the way that I did! Only 3 more months til the next break, not that I am counting or anything….
