Hello avid blog readers,
I know I promised more updates, but January has proven to be a busy month and not only have I had some awesome visitors, but I have been able to see the amazing country of Jordan and tour all over Israel. Beginning with the end of my first semester at the University of Haifa, I found myself awoken in the middle of the night by my darling friend Katie who I thought was coming to visit me that night. After a good laugh, my friend Katie helped me prepare for my last final and we went over the logistics of our trip together. Starting the day after New Years we would be renting a car with my two other friends, Kerstin (who I spoke about and who is from Germany) and my guy friend Robin (who is Israeli and living in Haifa). After an amazing night at Club Ultrasound where I celebrated Sylvester (and not what I kept referring to as Lucifer), It was my first time celebrating the new year before the ball dropping in NYC, and I felt so happy to be surrounded by amazing friends.
On January 1st, the four amigos (and my roommate Laura) embarked on a five hour drive through the south of the country and to Eilat. This was also during the time of the war in Gaza which I will comment on later, so at one point of our drive we were literally only 25 km from where the Israeli army was dropping bombs and completing their air raids. It was really surreal to say it lightly and I am still in shock at how numb you become when you live in a country that is always under fear of attack or in conflict. Starting off the New year right, I promptly lost my wallet and camera right before a long trip with no wallet or money in sight. However, Robin, Katie, Laura, and Kerstin were amazing at making me feel better and paying for me the whole entire weekend. I honestly do not know what I would have done if I was with anyone else besides them and I am so thankful for everything that did to make me not feel as crappy as I did.
When we arrived to Eilat it was pretty late in the evening and we were planning on checking into a small hostel I had stayed at my last time in Eilat (in July). However, Laura lived in Eilat for 3 years and was staying with a woman who owned a hotel. She was nice enough to offer us a suite for a great price and we ended up having pretty amazing living accommodations for a fraction of the price. Eilat was amazing but not as warm as in the summer. I wasn’t able to strip down to a bikini but I did put my feet In the water and relax poolside for a little bit. While in Eilat, we were able to check out an amazing aquarium, ride camels, check out the beach, do a little shopping, and hear an amazing live band at one of my favorite bars in Eilat. Riding the camels had to be on the most fun things I have done and I found it fitting that my camel’s named with Oprah, and probably the most load of all the other camels.
After Eilat, we traveled back North through the Negev and stopped in Ramon Crater to see the large canyon that supposedly changed colors throughout the landscape. I am blown away by all of the natural beauty in Israel and the diversity in topography. We also made a quick stop at Ben Gurion’s house and got to see not only his home but his grave. After a long history lesson we headed to the city of Adav near the Dead Sea and planned to sleep at a youth hostel before waking up at 5 in the morning to hike Masada and see the sunrise.
Note to self and other’s planning on hiking Masada DO IT! It is by far one of the most beautiful and amazing things I have seen in Israel. Even for my second time there were things I missed and didn’t get to see at the top of the Palace. Also, I find it amazing how visiting sights with different people change the way you see and interpret that place. It was amazing to spend so much quality time with Katie and I am so excited for her wedding in August. After a long morning of hiking, we made our way to Ein Bokek and relaxed in the dead sea which was not as cold as one would expect in January. There were actually a lot of birthright trips at the time also venturing into the water, so I did not feel like the only way braving the cold to walk on water.
In Jerusalem Katie and I parted ways with Kerstin and Robin and met up with my friend Mollie, who let us stay with her for a few nights at Hebrew University. I never had seen or been to the University before but it is gorgeous. The new dorms especially are nicer than the ones in the states (and no I did not say than the ones at Scripps but really nice nonetheless). Katie and I also stayed with another one of my friends Brittany for a few nights at her place and were so wonderfully hosted by her and her boyfriend. Brittany is a Rotary Scholar like me, and has found true love in Israel and is now living with her boyfriend. He is one of the nicest guys and they have an amazing apartment together.
In the five days I was in Jerusalem with Katie, I saw and did more than I think I have ever done in the seven months I have been here. We did everything from the Old City to Via Dolorosa, The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, The Dome of the Rock, Ramparts Walk, The Western Wall, the Western Wall tunnels, and the City of David just to name a few. It was also probably more walking than two marathons and are legs were like rocks by the end of our time in Jerusalem. Katie is one of the easiest going people to be with/travel with and the whole entire trip we laughed and honestly enjoyed every moment together. I even got to meet up with a few friends and we went out one night with Rob Bond, a college friend stationed in Saudi Arabia and my friend Josh, when we attended a lecture on the current situation in Gaza. Jerusalem was by far the academic part of my vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed everything, sans wallet and all!
On Friday we left for Tel Aviv and got to stay with my friend who is also a Rotary Scholar, Allison. She got us a room at Tel Aviv University and Katie I felt as if we were in our own luxury hotel room after couch surfing for the last few days. In Tel Aviv we celebrated my birthday and walked around the city. I had a great time shopping at the art market and on my actual birthday we made a picnic in Hayarkon Park and walked to the Old Port. At night we had a party at Max Brenner’s and I met up with friends who came from Haifa and Tel Aviv to celebrate with me. It was a great night and I really felt so lucky to have so many wonderful people around me.
After Saturday we returned from Tel Aviv and relaxed in Haifa. For Katie’s last full day we went to Nazareth and met up with one of my friends who lives in the area and showed us around. The Church of the Annunciation was amazing and it was my second time walking around the city. After a two week trip I got so used to Katie being here I had to get adjusted to sleeping without her. However, right afterwards I had Thea and Albert’s grandson come and stay with me for two nights, and I was able to show him Haifa and give him a good feel of the city.
In the weeks working up to Ulpan, I relaxed, slept, caught up on some work and prepared a one week trip to Jordan that I took with a friend from college, Lindsay, who was visiting Israel. I had the most amazing week in Jordan and cannot tell enough people how incredible the people were and how safe I felt travelling in the country. While in Jordan I stayed with a friend in Amman for a few days and even got the chance to speak at a Roteract club in Jordan. While on the bus ride to Amman I also got to meet two Peace Core volunteers who actually knew my friend Greg that we were staying with. It was a hilarious strike of fate that made me realize once again how small the world is. After making our way around the North part of the country and seeing Jerash, Amman, the Baptism site of Christ, the Jordan River, the Sand Castles and being taken out by my new and amazing Jordanian friends, Lindsey and I made our way down to Kerak to stay with the Peace Core girls for a night before going to Petra for our last two days.
Petra was an unbelievable experience and I could write a book about all of the people I met and all the things that I did there. However, I think this blog has already become too long and so I will save the juicy details for the next post.
In recent news, my grandmother is coming to visit in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see her. I also started my last Hebrew Ulpan and will be only trying to speak in Hebrew as much as possible!
Everything is great in the Holy Land and I miss you all so much!
Much Love,
Annelise
1 comments:
Annaluv, you are amazing. I can't believe you were so close to where those bombs were being dropped...what were you thinking?!!? But honestly, your commentary about being numb to war when you're surrounded by it was very apt. It's interesting that it can happen so quickly to someone that's only been in that environment for 10 months. I think of you every day.
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