Homeland

Back from the homeland. It was fabulous but not what I was expecting. We had 6 Israeli soldiers being tourists with us for our 10 day trip which was great 'cuz now I have friends in Israel. I also made some new friends which is always nice! We hiked SO much in the first few days that my legs were SO sore; it was so painful to even climb the stairs on the bus. But now I can say I've hiked in the golon heights for 3 hrs, hiked in the Jillaboon (a water hike), climbed up Mt. Masada on the hard snake path, rode a camel, slept in the desert in the Bedowin (sp) tents, shopped on Benyahuda (sp) street, prayed at the kotel (Western Wall), among other things. My sadness over the trip was my lack of emotion with it. One of my favorite memories is on Shabbat which we had in Jerusalem. We stood outside, and one person said how at home, we always face east- in the direction of Jerusalem, and now we were actually here- and she took off her shoes to say that there was now nothing between her and Jerusalem. From that point, most of us also took off our shoes and chills ran through me. However, that was about as good as it got. A few people started to cry when we reached Jerusalem. Many got emotional at the Wall. Most were fascinated to be on Mt. Masada. I on the other hand felt very little. Yes, it was very cool to be at the wall, a place where I've seen so many pictures of and heard about it all my life. But I didn't cry. I wish it all would've meant more. But I am grateful for the opportunity to have visited the homeland and have people wish me a "Shabbat Shalom" like it was no big deal (clearly it isn't there but it's weird to hear that while you're shopping on a Friday afternoon). I am grateful to know that I will always have a place in Israel and can call it home. Pictures of the trip are up on my website, in which I will soon add captions and other people's pictures. L'hetraot and Shalom.