My Heart Goes Shalala Lala...
So... It's been a week since returning from Israel. I still haven't been able to process it all, but I'm hoping this will help a little. I originally wanted to do a journalistic blog - but the experience became to personal for that.
The plans for my summer were this trip and then Europe from July 1st - August 7th, and for many reasons beyond length of trip, I was looking forward to Italy and Paris so much more than Israel. However, after leaving what I now refer to as the homeland, I want to plan my next trip to Israel before even going to those other places I'm already scheduled to travel too.
In 10 days, my birthright trip explored so much of Israel, giving the 40 of us a little taste, but leaving us hungry for so much more. Some things I'll never do again (Mt. Masada and Golan Heights - nice knowing ya!) while there were a lot of places I wish we could have experienced more and I plan on experiencing more in the future (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Tiberias). I knew we wouldn't be going to Gaza or the West Bank for obvious security reasons, but my interest to explore and make a difference in those areas is more high than ever.
Halfway into the trip we met eight wonderful (Well... maybe seven wonderful...), unforgettable Israeli soldiers and it made the connection to Israel a lot of us established at the Western Wall or our first night at Independence Hall even stronger. Besides experiencing the country for myself, listening to their stories about their lives and their culture and being able to teach them a little about mine enabled me to learn so much that I wouldn't have otherwise. I'm still thanking them for that and I miss them so much.
I loved all the people on the trip. Rachel and Sean were terrific leaders and I miss them both. Not mention our amazing guide Efrat!! However, I got especially close to Ariel, Sarah, Rachel M, and one of our Israeli soldiers - Marat. It was kind of like that feeling when you start college and all those new friendships become deeper in that first semester than most of the ones you had after four years of high school. I felt like I had become very close to these people on that bus for 10 days - loving them as much as the best friends I love and missed here at home. And the friendship I have with Evan that always continues to get stronger continued to do so in Israel.
I feel much more spiritually connected to God after the trip, even if I still don't believe in organized religion. I really really miss everything - from the Western Wall and old Jerusalem to the courtyard in our hotel. I'm dying to go back - whether it's on my own time, as a journalism assignment, or even volunteering in the Israeli army, I can't wait to return to the homeland.
The plans for my summer were this trip and then Europe from July 1st - August 7th, and for many reasons beyond length of trip, I was looking forward to Italy and Paris so much more than Israel. However, after leaving what I now refer to as the homeland, I want to plan my next trip to Israel before even going to those other places I'm already scheduled to travel too.
In 10 days, my birthright trip explored so much of Israel, giving the 40 of us a little taste, but leaving us hungry for so much more. Some things I'll never do again (Mt. Masada and Golan Heights - nice knowing ya!) while there were a lot of places I wish we could have experienced more and I plan on experiencing more in the future (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Tiberias). I knew we wouldn't be going to Gaza or the West Bank for obvious security reasons, but my interest to explore and make a difference in those areas is more high than ever.
Halfway into the trip we met eight wonderful (Well... maybe seven wonderful...), unforgettable Israeli soldiers and it made the connection to Israel a lot of us established at the Western Wall or our first night at Independence Hall even stronger. Besides experiencing the country for myself, listening to their stories about their lives and their culture and being able to teach them a little about mine enabled me to learn so much that I wouldn't have otherwise. I'm still thanking them for that and I miss them so much.
I loved all the people on the trip. Rachel and Sean were terrific leaders and I miss them both. Not mention our amazing guide Efrat!! However, I got especially close to Ariel, Sarah, Rachel M, and one of our Israeli soldiers - Marat. It was kind of like that feeling when you start college and all those new friendships become deeper in that first semester than most of the ones you had after four years of high school. I felt like I had become very close to these people on that bus for 10 days - loving them as much as the best friends I love and missed here at home. And the friendship I have with Evan that always continues to get stronger continued to do so in Israel.
I feel much more spiritually connected to God after the trip, even if I still don't believe in organized religion. I really really miss everything - from the Western Wall and old Jerusalem to the courtyard in our hotel. I'm dying to go back - whether it's on my own time, as a journalism assignment, or even volunteering in the Israeli army, I can't wait to return to the homeland.