Luckily today, tomorrow, and Saturday are relaxing days. We woke up this morning and at 9 went to the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem for Simacht Torah services. The guys had a lot of fun dancing with the torah but since it was an orthodox synagogue all the girls were really bored. So we left earlier than planned. When we got back to Tzuba we had lunch and then free time until 5:30. At 5:30 we had a program about simacht torah and then an auction for all the stuff people left on the bus after yam l’ yam (don’t worry none of it was mine). Then we went to dinner and then back to the zula (the lounge) for a program on yam l’ yam and announcements. The program was actually a lot of fun. We played hot potato but the version where each layer has a task. Each thing had to do with someone who did this, a memory, or an inside joke from the entire group. Then during announcements I learned that I am a torahnim (helper) this week. Which basically means I have to get everyone up, lock classrooms, clean the bus, and do other random things. Then we had more free time so I went to Yael’s room to type up the rest of my missed blogs. Then I skyped with keri and talked to some other people from home. Today I also stalked pictures from JELL-O and the whecty events I missed and got really sad. Everyone at home is having so much fun. ☹ I miss it.
p.s. woohoo i am finally caught up!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
After 6 days i may or may not still be alive
*FROM 9/29*
Like the last 5 days today were tiresome. We woke up at 5:30 (but all the girls woke up before then b/c there where bees around our heads), packed up everything, ate, and then got our bikes. The bikes were crap and most of us had bikes in which the gears didn’t really work. Most of the ride was downhill so I rode the breaks most of the time (but there were a few hills that I had to walk up b/c my bike couldn’t change to the proper gears). Eventually though we got to the Mediterranean Sea. It was so pretty! And all we wanted to do was jump in but instead we had to wrap up our yam l’ yam experience. Finally though we were able to run into the water. It was so refreshing and wonderful. The half hour we spent playing in the water was amazing! Then we changed, ate lunch, and got on the bus for our 2-hour ride back to Tzuba. The last few minutes of the ride were spent on announcements and we got our room assignments. Then we got to Tzuba, before we could get our keys, we had to empty all of our stuff from storage. Like always it took forever! But it eventually got done and we were able to unpack and shower (for the first time in a week). My shower was great! It was so nice to wash my hair and shave; I don’t think I have ever been so happy to be clean. At 4:20 we got on the bus to go to Gezer for simacht torah. We ate a bit, had services, and then danced and sang. At 7 we got on the bus to go back to tzuba for dinner. After dinner we had free time so I unpacked, hung out with my new roomies, and typed this (and typed up all the entries I wrote while we were away).
It is so hard to believe that in 6 days we hiked across Israel from the Kinneret to the Mediterranean.
Also my new room has even suckier Internet so my posts from now on prob. won’t be posted until the next morning.
Like the last 5 days today were tiresome. We woke up at 5:30 (but all the girls woke up before then b/c there where bees around our heads), packed up everything, ate, and then got our bikes. The bikes were crap and most of us had bikes in which the gears didn’t really work. Most of the ride was downhill so I rode the breaks most of the time (but there were a few hills that I had to walk up b/c my bike couldn’t change to the proper gears). Eventually though we got to the Mediterranean Sea. It was so pretty! And all we wanted to do was jump in but instead we had to wrap up our yam l’ yam experience. Finally though we were able to run into the water. It was so refreshing and wonderful. The half hour we spent playing in the water was amazing! Then we changed, ate lunch, and got on the bus for our 2-hour ride back to Tzuba. The last few minutes of the ride were spent on announcements and we got our room assignments. Then we got to Tzuba, before we could get our keys, we had to empty all of our stuff from storage. Like always it took forever! But it eventually got done and we were able to unpack and shower (for the first time in a week). My shower was great! It was so nice to wash my hair and shave; I don’t think I have ever been so happy to be clean. At 4:20 we got on the bus to go to Gezer for simacht torah. We ate a bit, had services, and then danced and sang. At 7 we got on the bus to go back to tzuba for dinner. After dinner we had free time so I unpacked, hung out with my new roomies, and typed this (and typed up all the entries I wrote while we were away).
It is so hard to believe that in 6 days we hiked across Israel from the Kinneret to the Mediterranean.
Also my new room has even suckier Internet so my posts from now on prob. won’t be posted until the next morning.
The hardest hiking day
*FROM 9/28*
This morning we woke up at 4 am! It was not fun at all. It was also cold and I am pretty sure one of my friends woke up asking if we were being punked. By 5 we were hiking. We had been told today would be the hardest day of hiking and indeed it was. Especially b/c I screwed up my ankle b/c of the rocky terrain. (If you are wondering why I went it is b/c although my ankle had hurt last night when I woke up it felt fine). At around 8:15ish we stopped for breakfast. An hour later we were back hiking. At 12:30 we stopped for lunch at a water pool and all put our feet in when we were done eating. My group decided we didn’t really want to cook and have to clean up so we just made sandwiches. At 2:30 we started hiking again. It wasn’t too bad until the last 20 min. in which we literally scaled up a mountain. When we got to the top it was huge relief! When we got to the campsite we changed, relaxed, and ate. Then for our evening activity we went stargazing. When we got back from stargazing we all feel asleep b/c it had made us so tired.
This morning we woke up at 4 am! It was not fun at all. It was also cold and I am pretty sure one of my friends woke up asking if we were being punked. By 5 we were hiking. We had been told today would be the hardest day of hiking and indeed it was. Especially b/c I screwed up my ankle b/c of the rocky terrain. (If you are wondering why I went it is b/c although my ankle had hurt last night when I woke up it felt fine). At around 8:15ish we stopped for breakfast. An hour later we were back hiking. At 12:30 we stopped for lunch at a water pool and all put our feet in when we were done eating. My group decided we didn’t really want to cook and have to clean up so we just made sandwiches. At 2:30 we started hiking again. It wasn’t too bad until the last 20 min. in which we literally scaled up a mountain. When we got to the top it was huge relief! When we got to the campsite we changed, relaxed, and ate. Then for our evening activity we went stargazing. When we got back from stargazing we all feel asleep b/c it had made us so tired.
Israelis
*FROM 9/27*
This morning wake up was at 6 but some of the Israeli girls didn’t like the idea of 6 and at 5:52 screamed b/c of a bee in their tent. The EIE boys didn’t seem to care but one of them commented saying the American girls are not going to be happy. He was right. We were all extremely mad that they woke us up. Anyway at 7:45 we put our stuff on the bus and started hiking. After an hour and half we stopped for breakfast. It was harder to make food b/c we had extra people in our group who had different taste bud than us Americans. After we ate we had some really stupid mixers that no one really wanted to participate in. Then we divided into our subgroups and did a navigating activity. My group was the first to start but then became 2nd, 3rd, and ended finishing 2nd b/c we took breaks and our staff member had us break to play a game. When we finally got to lunch we had about 2 hours to rest and eat. Right before we entered the campground we paused to play some games. When we walked up to the campsite we saw very few trees, no tents, no water source, and a highway. And it was freezing! Once again the Israelis had a ton of energy and the American kids did not so after dinner we all went to bed. Especially b/c unlike the Israelis we had to get up at 4 am (the Israelis were going home in the morning).
This morning wake up was at 6 but some of the Israeli girls didn’t like the idea of 6 and at 5:52 screamed b/c of a bee in their tent. The EIE boys didn’t seem to care but one of them commented saying the American girls are not going to be happy. He was right. We were all extremely mad that they woke us up. Anyway at 7:45 we put our stuff on the bus and started hiking. After an hour and half we stopped for breakfast. It was harder to make food b/c we had extra people in our group who had different taste bud than us Americans. After we ate we had some really stupid mixers that no one really wanted to participate in. Then we divided into our subgroups and did a navigating activity. My group was the first to start but then became 2nd, 3rd, and ended finishing 2nd b/c we took breaks and our staff member had us break to play a game. When we finally got to lunch we had about 2 hours to rest and eat. Right before we entered the campground we paused to play some games. When we walked up to the campsite we saw very few trees, no tents, no water source, and a highway. And it was freezing! Once again the Israelis had a ton of energy and the American kids did not so after dinner we all went to bed. Especially b/c unlike the Israelis we had to get up at 4 am (the Israelis were going home in the morning).
Real Survial Starts
*FROM 9/26*
Wake up this morning was at 5:30 am. It sucked! We got up, used our last “real” bathroom for 4 more days, cleaned up camp, and put all of our stuff we didn’t need for the day on the bus. Then we started our official hike. After an hour we stopped and made breakfast in our subgroups. My friend Jake went on Yam l’ yam 2 summers ago so he knew what to do and we put him in charge of cooking for the rest of the trip (but its ok cause he and I had a system-I made him peanut butter sandwiches and he cooked me food). Then we started hiking again. After 2 hours we stopped and did a navigating activity in our subgroups. Our group works really well together and is considerate of the pace we need to go which is nice. After navigating for about an hour we had lunch. We had veggies, salami, apples, pb&j, rice, and other sandwich combos. When we were done eating we had some free time to relax b/c there are time restrictions to when we can hike due to the heat. Then we started hiking again and our guide said there was no more uphill for the day…he lied! My breathing issues, blood flow issues, and lack of the ability to drink a ton of water did not like the uphill. Eventually we got to the top and then started walking down/across the mountain. The rest of the hike was fine and I survived. When we got to the campsite we got our stuff off the bus, filled up our waters, refilled our food supply we needed for tomorrow, and changed before the Israeli kids met up with us. It was really exciting when the Israelis came b/c I knew some of them (and they brought me food). Shiri showed up with homemade schnitzel sandwiches for Yael and I and they were really good. After meeting the rest of the Israelis and eating dinner we had a night activity. Basically we were all scattered throughout the woods and had to sit there for a half hour and embrace the sounds of nature at night. But that idea wasn’t favored by many of us. We were all so scared and I spent most of the time scanning the area with my flashlight b/c I heard scary noises. I also used my flashlight to make shadow puppets. Eventually they collected all of us and we were able to go back to the campsite. While the Israelis had a ton of energy ton of the EIE kids did and we all passed out.
Wake up this morning was at 5:30 am. It sucked! We got up, used our last “real” bathroom for 4 more days, cleaned up camp, and put all of our stuff we didn’t need for the day on the bus. Then we started our official hike. After an hour we stopped and made breakfast in our subgroups. My friend Jake went on Yam l’ yam 2 summers ago so he knew what to do and we put him in charge of cooking for the rest of the trip (but its ok cause he and I had a system-I made him peanut butter sandwiches and he cooked me food). Then we started hiking again. After 2 hours we stopped and did a navigating activity in our subgroups. Our group works really well together and is considerate of the pace we need to go which is nice. After navigating for about an hour we had lunch. We had veggies, salami, apples, pb&j, rice, and other sandwich combos. When we were done eating we had some free time to relax b/c there are time restrictions to when we can hike due to the heat. Then we started hiking again and our guide said there was no more uphill for the day…he lied! My breathing issues, blood flow issues, and lack of the ability to drink a ton of water did not like the uphill. Eventually we got to the top and then started walking down/across the mountain. The rest of the hike was fine and I survived. When we got to the campsite we got our stuff off the bus, filled up our waters, refilled our food supply we needed for tomorrow, and changed before the Israeli kids met up with us. It was really exciting when the Israelis came b/c I knew some of them (and they brought me food). Shiri showed up with homemade schnitzel sandwiches for Yael and I and they were really good. After meeting the rest of the Israelis and eating dinner we had a night activity. Basically we were all scattered throughout the woods and had to sit there for a half hour and embrace the sounds of nature at night. But that idea wasn’t favored by many of us. We were all so scared and I spent most of the time scanning the area with my flashlight b/c I heard scary noises. I also used my flashlight to make shadow puppets. Eventually they collected all of us and we were able to go back to the campsite. While the Israelis had a ton of energy ton of the EIE kids did and we all passed out.
fake hiking
*FROM 9/25*
This morning we got up at 7:30, got dressed, and ate breakfast. Then we had services and got the backpacks the company in charge of yam l’ yam was giving us for the trip. Then we started our hike (but not really- we just did a hike on the campground we were staying on- we start the actual hiking on sunday). We rested for about 2 hours at a water pool with tons of rocks for us to sit/sleep on and while we were there we also had lunch. The walk back to the campsite was much harder b/c we had to walk back up the 500 stairs we originally walked down! When we got back to the campsite we all felt so gross. So we changed, washed our faces, and bought ice cream from the store. On our way back to our area my friends and I saw some of our counselors talking to some Israelis and they had food so naturally we went over to them. The Israelis were really nice and offered us food. So of course we didn’t want to be rude and say no. then we had to get back to our area b/c we had group meetings. At our meeting we were given our subgroups for cooking and survival activities and all the stuff we needed to cook. Then we had some free time until all the girls in my group had to help cut veggies for dinner (we got lucky- the boys had to clean dishes). Then we had havdalah and had dinner. After that we relaxed for a bit and then had a campfire. After that it was an early “tents-in” b/c we have to get up early. Tomorrow we start the actual hike and lose a bathroom.
This morning we got up at 7:30, got dressed, and ate breakfast. Then we had services and got the backpacks the company in charge of yam l’ yam was giving us for the trip. Then we started our hike (but not really- we just did a hike on the campground we were staying on- we start the actual hiking on sunday). We rested for about 2 hours at a water pool with tons of rocks for us to sit/sleep on and while we were there we also had lunch. The walk back to the campsite was much harder b/c we had to walk back up the 500 stairs we originally walked down! When we got back to the campsite we all felt so gross. So we changed, washed our faces, and bought ice cream from the store. On our way back to our area my friends and I saw some of our counselors talking to some Israelis and they had food so naturally we went over to them. The Israelis were really nice and offered us food. So of course we didn’t want to be rude and say no. then we had to get back to our area b/c we had group meetings. At our meeting we were given our subgroups for cooking and survival activities and all the stuff we needed to cook. Then we had some free time until all the girls in my group had to help cut veggies for dinner (we got lucky- the boys had to clean dishes). Then we had havdalah and had dinner. After that we relaxed for a bit and then had a campfire. After that it was an early “tents-in” b/c we have to get up early. Tomorrow we start the actual hike and lose a bathroom.
And the journey begins...
*FROM 9/24*
This morning we got up, had breakfast, packed up our stuff, gave our host family their present, made sandwiches for the bus ride, and left for the bus stop. Then we got on the bus w/ everyone else from EIE and started Yam L’ Yam (sea to sea- the Kinneret to Mediterranean) Adventure. We met our guides, split up into our groups, made lunch and went on a water hike. I worked so hard not to get wet and was successful until one of the kids in my group decided to splash everyone. We also collected a bottle of water as a symbol of going from sea to sea. Then we got back on the bus and rode to the campsite b/c we had to be there before Shabbat. We got to the campsite to find it wasn’t in the middle of the woods but it was an actual campsite including water, a cooking area, bathrooms, and store (it was kind of like where we went for camp campouts). We had Shabbat services and then had dinner. After dinner we had “improv” night but basically we just did a bunch of bean skits. It was also one of our counselor’s b-days so we had a little party for him. Then we got in our tents and went to sleep.
This morning we got up, had breakfast, packed up our stuff, gave our host family their present, made sandwiches for the bus ride, and left for the bus stop. Then we got on the bus w/ everyone else from EIE and started Yam L’ Yam (sea to sea- the Kinneret to Mediterranean) Adventure. We met our guides, split up into our groups, made lunch and went on a water hike. I worked so hard not to get wet and was successful until one of the kids in my group decided to splash everyone. We also collected a bottle of water as a symbol of going from sea to sea. Then we got back on the bus and rode to the campsite b/c we had to be there before Shabbat. We got to the campsite to find it wasn’t in the middle of the woods but it was an actual campsite including water, a cooking area, bathrooms, and store (it was kind of like where we went for camp campouts). We had Shabbat services and then had dinner. After dinner we had “improv” night but basically we just did a bunch of bean skits. It was also one of our counselor’s b-days so we had a little party for him. Then we got in our tents and went to sleep.
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