Visiting with the Locals

     I don't think I have ever been so excited to see pancakes before in my life! This morning the hostel had more recognizable foods that we have in America. Today we left Jerusalem and headed into Northern Israel, going through many Israeli check points along the way. Chaim's phone rang 14 times while we were driving before he finally pulled over at a gas station and called back whoever was trying to get ahold of him.

     We visited Al-Qasemi and when we told our student guide at the college that we are from Washington State he said, "that's where the vampires are from?" (Twilight reference). We also visited the high school where we met with sophomore students in an English class. One of the boys told me that today is his anniversary with his girlfriend and asked me for advice of what he should do/what he should get her as an anniversary gift.

     They asked us what comes to mind when we hear the word "Islam". Dr. Fekkes told them about how the news makes them out to be terrorist. All of them got very defensive and talked about how Islam is a religion of peace. I tried to reassure them that not everyone believes what they hear/see on the news and that it only takes one person doing wrong in the public spotlight to take a whole group of people down.

     One of the college students, Muhammed, invited us to his father's farm for a traditional Arabian meal. I even tried Arabian coffee. After lunch, we toured the farm where they ship out one ton of mint everyday (most goes to Russia and America). I think the one word that really described today is hospitality! Visiting the settlement today was definitely a highlight of the trip so far. Even though we were only their for about three and a half hours, it was hard to say goodbye. I really hope to come back to Israel someday, perhaps for graduate school after I finish my degree at Trinity.

     We drove from Al-Qasemi to Akko where we walked the crusader built underground excavated tunnel that leads to the port. We visited the port right at sunset and some people in our group got splashed by the crashing waves as they hit shore. While waiting for Chiam to drive around with the van some kids threw fruit at us (lemons and oranges). We just arrived at our new hostel, Shlomi Guest House and Youth Hostel.