Aviv Day 4!

There are not many more anticipated destinations for 18 year old Jews than the holiest city in the world, Jerusalem, aside from perhaps the Greek Islands… so when the members of Aviv group one awoke there was a clear buzz amongst the group, a certain level of eagerness for our upcoming destination and a recognition its importance to each and every one of us individually. Bags were packed and placed in the lobby as one final breakfast was quickly consumed at Mitzpe Ramon, a place whose high quality food and accommodation was suspicious, chosen as our first destination by organisers simply in order to heighten our hopes and expectations before soon crushing them at future accommodation.

Following breakfast, the bus was loaded and bums hit seats for the 3 hour journey to Jerusalem, or J-Ru as it has been affectionately been shortened to by Daena and Azi. The trip was separated by various stops, the first of which was a short hike upon Mactesh Gadol, a naturally formed crater which boasts magnificent views the likes of which are unavailable in Sydney nor Melbourne, or even Alex’s native Perth. Photos aplenty were snapped by our resident photographers, complaints aplenty flowed and the odd slip up the rock face was a cause for concern, however thankfully no injuries were incurred. Following this short yet steep venture into the rocky Israeli landscape, we re-boarded the bus and headed towards Dimona for lunch despite the clock face displaying the ludicrously early sub-11AM time.

Different people opted for different lunch options. Aroma salads and iced coffees were popular amongst the girls whilst many opted to purchase their refreshments from one of the three consecutive shop fronts which boasted the sale of shawarma (Of which I tried my very first!). However, Lindi and Azi opted for the more traditional Israeli cuisine of which is referred to back in Oz as ‘Maccas.’ Suddenly, a vibe was felt amongst the group of excitement as a bus pulled up and Aviv group 2 hopped off to be met by their eager friends who had missed their acquaintance. After brief pleasantries we departed and completed the final leg of our journey to the spiritual Jerusalem.

The final bus ride was filled with music, conversations and more, before we reached our destination, unloaded our belongings and set up in our newly arranged rooms at Kiryat Moria. We soon headed out on a short walk, arriving at a brilliant viewpoint of all of the visual wonders offered by the Jerusalem skyline. It was a humbling sight, especially for me as one of the few group members who had yet to visit the world's holiest city in the flesh. After a short photography session, we were instructed to write down our feelings at the time. I thought of no better way to put it than "there was no place I would rather be." A simple, yet effective way of articulating the beautiful moment which I had shared with the people who I already feel are becoming like family to me. I have no doubt that Jerusalem will bring spiritual and personal growth to all, such sights have the ability to do powerful things to all manner of people.

We then returned to Kiryat Moria and chill time ensued as the other group arrived and more inter-mingling took place. Dinner was next on the agenda, with numerous people nurturing slim hopes that the food would resemble something edible. Most, if not all, were disappointed. I think Harry Rosen put it best when he questioned whether we had just been served “people food or dog food?” However, the accommodation and beautiful location almost do enough to make up for the sub-standard foodstuffs we are expected to put down our oesophagi.

Following dinner a further chill session resulted which concluded with the entire group in each other company wondering how on Earth we had only known each other for such a short period of time when it seems as though we were engaged in conversation with people with whom we had already formed a long-lasting bond. Finally, the madrichim collected us and we headed to a small room to engage in our final program of the day, hearing of our packed schedule for the next week and of the notion of Jerusalem syndrome. As the newly formed committee for sleep, or Jenna as she is more commonly known as proclaimed, bedtime was “right now,” and with that we headed back to our rooms, concluding another wonderful day on Aviv.

One more awesome day down, 146 to look forward to.

Jake