Aviv Day 2!

Day 2 picked up where day 1 left off. A complete immersion in the unbelievable natural wonders offered by Israel’s unique landscape which contains a stunning mix of mountains and canyons, desert and wildlife, as well as some of the most amazing photo opportunities… the boys believe the money shot perennially lurks around the corner. After a brief breakfast containing what the hostel staff like to call ‘scrambled and boiled eggs’ accompanied by what loosely resembled cordial at our accommodation for our first 3 nights, a YHA youth hostel located at Mitzpe Ramon, we boarded our thankfully wi-fi enabled bus and headed off for a short hike.

We arrived at Ein Ovdat and after a quick hat and water check we headed off into the Israeli bush for a spot of hiking. The scenery was unbelievable and the photographers of the group had an absolute field day, if it continues to amaze in such a way then the already well loved cameras of Milly and Sarah will no doubt become constant figures in the lives of Aviv group 1 participants. As we gazed up at the mountains most remarked “theres no way anyone could climb that!” But the madrichim had other ideas as Oded led the way up the rugged mountain face, albeit laiden with steps and ladders, of course after more photography at a beautiful waterfall by which we were seated and devised a set of 10 rules/ commandments for our group/family of the next 5 months.

Up the mountain we went, hiking for what I gather felt to many of the girls as hours, judging by their complaints of unfitness which were quickly followed by vows of fitness regimes which will no doubt be abandoned imminently (Yes, I’m talking about you Azi and Gabby). As we halted our ascendency, Oded regaled us of tales of tigers who apparently lived in Israel before we headed up into a cave on the cliff face which we were told was once occupied by monks of the area. The scenery was overwhelming as we reached the top, as it finally hit most that we had arrived in a country which was so important to so many, including us, and that the next 5 months would be filled with amazing memories such as the ones forged during that day.

After more photos, we re-boarded the bus and headed back to Mitzpe Ramon for lunch. After consuming a reasonably edible meal, we headed off to a nearby factory which had been converted into a dance studio. The groans were well documented on the way to the ‘dance class’ which turned out to be a surprisingly relaxing, bonding experience as we were taught numerous body exercises which helped to create control and trust in ourselves and one another. It was a ridiculously enjoyable few hours, led by a woman who could well have had her eye on Jared Engelman, the recurrent volunteer of the group, which was a nice surprise to all.

Following this we returned to Mitzpe Ramon to find a new group of 97 gap-yearers all from Canada and USA, which was a nice site to the girls who are seemingly unhappy with the measly stocks of 9 males in the group, their eyes constantly longingly cast towards any and every man in an IDF uniform they come across. A few quick chats to our new neighbours yielded the prognosis that they are some exceedingly nice characters who will be sharing our temporary home with us until Sunday morning. Following a quick round of showers we headed up to the lookout for a kabbalat Shabbat service, ably led by our resident rabbis and songbirds Jared Engleman and Adam Goldberg. Unbelievable views and a circle full of newly bonded mates, what better way to spend Shabbat! Following this, dinner was served, chicken and turkey, challah and chicken soup, a meal which reminded some of the cooking of family members and their usual Shabbat experiences.

Jetlag continually threatens to set in but I believe I have beaten it off for the day…

Anywho, day 2 is coming to its end and I cannot wait to see what day 3 and the following 4 months and 27 days have in store.

Another awesome day down, 148 to look forward to.

Jake

Aviv Day One!

Goodbye. It’s a word which although applicable to a somewhat saddening circumstance carries unbelievably positive connotations. This is the way I like to think of my farewell to my daily life in Sydney, surrounded by my usual family and friends for what could, in the future, most probably be considered the best 7 months of my life. It was by no means a sad departure as I headed for Israel and Aviv, in the hope that a substantial amount of time away in a land which so many hold dear could help to shape my development as a human being as it has done for so many before me.

The Thai Airways flight to Tel Aviv, which departed Sydney at 5:05PM on 29 January 2014, was empty enough for the usually miserly pleasantries of the economy class of a Boeing 747 to extend to an entire row per passenger and the opportunity for some much needed sleep. An opportunity I spurned however, opting to wait until the second leg of a journey which was to include a travel time of approximately an entire day, the El Al connector from Bangkok to Israel, a choice which I would later reflect to be an exceedingly poor one.

Going through El Al security was an interesting experience. Firstly, their decision to split our travelling Aviv group between Moriah and ‘non-Moriah’ was an odd yet exceedingly efficient one for my liking as I shot to the front of the latter line and was soon questioned by an Israeli gentleman who was in no mood for my small talk. Passports were to be checked a number close enough to six times despite the fact that their contents continued to remain unchanged. Numerous questions were asked and my Judaism and personal aspirations for boarding the flight in question were continually tested. Finally, I was cleared for boarding and after roughly an hour of ‘final call’ we took our seats on a flight which was fuller than Bill Gates’ bank account.

I walked the entire walkway to the very back row, lacking any overhead compartment for luggage in addition to any legroom, to find my seat ‘61F’ against the back wall and in the middle of a row surrounded by complete strangers. The man seated next to me was on his way to Gaza to perform humanitarian aid surgeries upon young Palestinian children, a story which captured my imagination as to what other such interesting people I would come across on my travels.

The flight was in no way fun, and I exited with aches in my back and neck, not in any way pleasant. However, these qualms were short-lived as we moved into the program, gradually meeting new faces from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Everyone’s excitement could not be contained as we hopped on our buses, after of course obtaining our new sim cards and rushing for a Wi-Fi connection like a bunch of schoolgirls lining up for one direction tickets. We were off to Sde Boker, in the South of Israel and after a few quick introductory games and conversations, we admired and paid our respects to the grave of Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. Following this we quickly consumed our lunches and moved on to our final destination of the day.

Bonding has already begun and I have no doubt that Aviv will be one of the best experiences of my young life. I already look forward to the great experiences I will share with the people who now surround me and the friendships which I hope will be forged strong enough to last for decades.

I’m hoping to write every few days... time permitting

Until next time,

Jake