This post should’ve gone up two days ago but we couldn’t get the internet to hold for long enough to post it! So this is Tuesday’s news!
Theme of the day: Go, go, go!
We got an early start with the justly famous Israeli breakfast in the Kibbutz Lavi dining room – fresh juices, an assortment of Israeli cheeses, shakshuka, vegetables that taste like someone just picked them out of a garden in the backyard. We piled onto the bus at 9:00 sharp, off to our first destination: Tel Dan Nature reserve. All the way Professor Avi regaled us with the history of the region – we heard about the draining of the Hula Swamp (sounds like a good idea, draining a swamp, evidently, not so much. Underground peat fires, anyone?) The next site we passed was an extinct volcano – also the site of a bloody battle between Saladin and Crusaders (note to self: kidnapping Moslem queens makes people very hostile). Tel Dan nature reserve – home of the Dan River, one of three tributaries to Jordan River, and the only one that’s always been in Israeli borders, and the source of 30% of Israel’s water.(check this) Also, after a climb through rocks and over bridges, we sat on the original stone steps of an outdoor “Bamah” – an pagan altar built in the Biblical times by Israel’s king Yirav’am. Got an interesting history lesson about the divisions of opinions among the Jewish people (sounds familiar). From there it was off to Rosh Pina, and a steep climb up around 100 stone steps ( among laden fig trees! and pomegranate trees!) to see this village that was established by European Jews of the first Aliya, and supported by Baron Rothchild. After visiting some art galleries and local shops, we were off to a delicious family style lunch a, and then the mystical city of Tsfas, perched high in the hills around a windy, steep roadway. Even as you’re driving up there you have a tremendous sense of elevation, with the physical climb mirroring the spiritual. We heard about the history of Tsfas, and actually defined the term “mysticism”, followed by visits to two synagogues (bundle up, everybody!) Then we were off to tour the artist colony, where all kinds off crafts including beautiful candles, microcalligraphy, jewelery, and original artwork are on display – many by the artists themselves. From there we were off to Tiberias, where the group had some time to check out the beautiful waterfront promenade, of the Kinneret sea, laden with vendors, and entertainmnent. Some of us rented boats, some enjoyed dinner at Decks – on a deck that jutted out over the water, and some just walked around in search of a good falafel or shwarma (we found it). Tired but very happy, we headed back to Kibbutz Lavi to relax and spend some time chatting with each other, and with friends and family back home via email. facebook, facetime and skype. Some of us even used telephones!
Quote of the day:
“The wise man doesn’t get himself into a situation that a smart man has to resolve his way out of”
More stories and adventures to come. Thanks for checking in!
Rivky and Nicky