Vacation from a Vacation

Although we haven't been working too hard here on the Kibbutz the last couple of weeks, the program still decided to give us a week off to do as we pelase with. Most people are getting ready to enlist into the army ether this week or next week so they wanted to give us time to travel a bit if we chose to do so before we signed off the next two years of our lives. We didn't have to work on the Kibbutz or even stay there for that matter but I decded to still go to daycare a couple days of the week since I really didnt have much else to do instead. Until last Wednesday all I did was relaxed, went to the daycare, ran, watched a lot of movies, and of course ate- all the necessary elements of a great vacation. On Wednesday, though, a couple of friends and I decded to take a short trip up to the north of Israel to visit some wineries, spend a night in a cabin, and just travel a bit. We rented a care which was awesome and took a road trip on up to what some would call the most beautiful part f the country. The North of Israel is ridiculously gorgeous and taking a visit reminded me just how true that statement is.

We started early Wednesday morning by driving up to the North which took a couple of hours. When we got there we stopped at a couple of look outs to really soak up the beauty of the Israel and it's surrounding countries in that area including Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. We then stopped in an area called Rosh Pina for lunch which is a beautiful residential area with restaurants and shops. After lunch we headed to some small wineries we had heard about. The first one was 3 person owned that had amini factory to tour followed by a wine tasting which was delicious. We bought a couple of bottles there adn then moved on to the next winery. We got the address to a winery that we had hearda bout from the first winery but as we drove up to the address we noticed that it was leading us to a house with a woman outside. We asked the woman if this was the winery and she respons with "you want wine?! No problem!". This winery was a small room next to a beautiful house overlooking the amazing north views of Israel. The wine was amazing and to knwo that this was a one man business made the experience that much more awesome. We also bought wine from this place and then moved ont o go to where we would be staying that night. My friend Ariel had found a deal on this place way up North called Sde Eliezer and thought it would be a good idea to try out. All we knew about this place was that it was a cabin and there was supposedly a jacuzzi. We got there and were amazed...the cabin was beautiful, clean, and new looking and the courtyard outside was peaceful and calm with a jacuzzi and sauna in the middle. We were so excited to drink our wine and relax in the "spa" after a long day of driving.

We decided to go back to Rosh Pina for dinner since one of my friends knew of a cool restaurant in that area. The ambiance of the restaurant was really awesome as it was made to look like you were eating in a cave. The food was delicious and we were the only ones there so it was a nice quiet couple of hours to just eat and chat. After dinner we headed back to the cabin and enjoyed the "spa" and wine we had bought earlier that day.

Thursday morning we woke up, packed up our things, and headed out of the cabins. Since we didn't have to be back at the Kibbutz at a specific time we decided to make random stops along the way home at places we thought looked or seemed worth our while. We made our first stop at a place called Ein Camonim which is a goat farm that produces goat cheese, milk, and yogurt and has a restaurant and store for people to enjoy the farms products. We decided to enjoy a nice breakfast there and were extremely happy with our decision. Cheese being my favorite food, I was in heaven. The goat cheeses were amazing and again, the atmosphere was really nice. The restaurant had an outdoor section overlooking the North which was a perfect place to start our day. We had heard about another goat cheese place that does some sort of performance about goat cheese and then presents the cheese to you to try but we unfortunately didn't call enough time in advance...so that's on the list for our next trip up north!

After breakfast we decided to take a drive to the Kinneret which is the body of water located in the North of Israel. We walked a bit along the border of the Kinneret in a town called Tiberius and visited a cemetary which is built along the Kinneret as well. Since we knew we had a long drive back we decided to make our way back but we went the scenic route so we can see Jordan along the way. Although it was short, it was an amazing trip and made me realize how much I really loved the North of Israel. I will definitely be making more trips there as much as I can.

Catch Up Time!

Okay so I guess I should first apologize for long hiatus I took from writing a blog post. My break doesn’t mean that nothing happened because A LOT has happened since I last wrote so bear with me because this is gonna be a long one!

I’ll start where I left off. Last I wrote I explained how the army process for girls works and how we have a day called Yom Hameya where we are tested on different skills so they can decide what jobs are most fit for us. After we complete this day we get what is called a Manila about a week or so after. Our Manila is a list of jobs that we are eligible for based on all the tests from Yom Hameya and Tzav Rishon. On the Manila there are two list of jobs. The first list includes jobs that are eligible to you that don’t require more tests or interviews and the second list includes jobs that do require more interviews/tests. We then have to fill out the top three jobs that we would want to do from each list and then we get invited to more interview or tests if we want a job from the second list. In my case, I wanted to go for a job from the second list so I had to go for more tests. The job I was trying for is called Hadricha Sport or Madasnikit in slang terms, which is a fitness instructor. Each soldier no matter what unit they are in has sessions with a Madasnikit a couple of times a week to stay in shape. The job of the Madasnikit is to plan fitness/work out sessions for the soldiers. In order to become a Madasnikit we had to pass a physical test and then have an interview. So I went to the try out or what they call the Miyun here. At the Miyun we had to do a specific amount of push ups, sit ups, and a running test to make sure we were in shape enough to do the job. If we passed the physical section we would be sent off to be interviewed where they asked you all sorts of questions including how often you exercise, why you want to do this job, if you have had any instructing/teaching experience, etc. I went to the Miyun on October 24^th and then had to wait a while to find out whether I made it or not. Luckily, I found out this past Tuesday that I got the job and I will be enlisting into the IDF on December 17^th! It was amazing news and I am so happy to finally have a plan of when I will be enlisting. Now I can just relax, work out, and soak up my last month and a half of my very much extended “summer” before I become a soldier.

Just to explain a bit more about what I will be doing once I enlist, starting on December 17^th I will be in basic training for about 2-3 weeks and then I will start my course which will be at a fitness and physical education institution north of Tel Aviv where I will be physically training to become a fitness instructor and learning related topics such as anatomy and physiology. The course will be around 2-3 months and after I pass I will be given a placement as where I will be instructing. Although it might be too early to say, I would like to be placed in a combat unit so I can help train combat soldiers to stay in shape as they serve in the army. So that’s my plan for the next two years…I’ll let you know how it goes!

Besides all of the army balagan (mess in Hebrew) everything has been great here at the Kibbutz. Instead of continuing to learn Hebrew I decided to volunteer in one of the day cares on the Kibbutz so I am now working at a Gan (day care/kindergarten in Hebrew) for the cutest little babies between the ages of 10 months-20 months. For anyone that knows me you probably could imagine how happy I am playing with cute, chubby, little babies all day long. So until I enlist I’ll be volunteering there for the mornings which will keep me semi busy.

Last week I had a really interesting experience with an amazing group of people. Project Return Ministries is a Canadian Christian organization that strives to help new Olim financially in order to make their Aliyah experience easier . Once you apply they set you up with a sponsor that is there for you to be in touch with for emotional support and also provides you with financial support. It is an amazing organization that has helped me and a lot of my friends in my group smoothly adjust to our new lives in Israel. For about two weeks many people from their organization have been touring Israel on what they call the Destiny Tour Experience. They invited the people who they have been sponsoring to come join them on their tour to meet the amazing people that make up their organization and to learn about this amazing country together. So I went last Saturday night with two other friends from my group to spend a night in the most incredible 1100 year old house in the old city of Jerusalem and then tour the regions of Judea and Samaria the next day. Judea and Samaria are located in what is now called the West Bank and is the place that most biblical stories took place. We started our tour at an amazing winery where we learned about the land and, of course, tasted delicious wine. We then went to a beautiful area for lunch in what the owner calls “the shack” with a ridiculously incredible view of the land in front of us. Our last stop was a settlement called Elon More where we were joined by a tour guide who explained the stories that came with that land. During the entire time I spent with our Project Return friends I just couldn’t help but think how lucky we are to have people who care so much about us and who greatly appreciate the big step in life we have taken. It was great to be surrounded by such people and I truly enjoyed me time with them!

Last week we had our Tiyul Giyus (enlistment trip) since most of the group will be enlisting within the next couple of weeks. We went to Eilat which is a vacation spot at the very bottom tip of Israel right next to Jordan and Egypt. We relaxed on the beach, rode ATV’s which was AMAZING, went on an afternoon boat ride that included a nice lunch and time to jump off the boat into the water, and just time to walk around the boardwalk and chill. It was nice to be with the whole group and relax for a couple days.

This week we have vacation where we can travel or hang out in Israel where ever we want. I decided to stay on the Kibbutz for most of the week and then I am going to head up north for one night on Wednesday to visit the winery and just enjoy a night off! Until then…so happy to catch you all up!