Aviv Days 13 + 14!

Day 13 kicked off slightly later than usual but contained a similarly intense set of activities. After consuming the now expectedly scrumptious breakfast prepared for us by the staff of Bnei Dan, we gathered in the lobby and the details of our day’s task was outlined. It was to be an ‘amazing race’ style day of adventuring in which each team of 5 had to visit and photograph themselves in numerous destinations before racing to a pre-determined finish line. The teams were devised by the madrichim and we were off, my team consisting of Jared Engelman, Lucy, Alexa, Claudia and myself, were touted as early favourites thank to our boasting of the brainpower of Engelman whose reputation as a future medical student facilitates a ludicrously high expectation. However a slow start saw us fall behind the pack as we proceeded to get close to our destination before venturing in the opposite direction only to realise where were headed all along. This occurred numerous times, needless to say the frustration was felt by all.

The race took us to many interesting destinations all over Tel Aviv, including but not limited to the Tel Aviv Museum of Fine Art, the Cameri Theatre and the Carmel Shuk. After most teams stopped for a lunch break in the heat of the race, it was an unexpected victory for the team consisting of Azi, Jared Ellison, Jason, Millie and Daena, a victory which self-proclaimed team leader Azi will surely never let us forget. Following the race we sat down for lunch with those who hadn’t already eaten attempting to eat a lunch consisting of two sandwiches, a muffin and an apple which proved a more difficult task then it should have been thanks to the less than appetising consistency of the meal. Next we headed to one of the most unbelievable exhibitions I have ever seen, a museum which put attendees in the position of a visually impaired person as we realised the difficulty of living without sight. Our guides, all without vision, were at home in the course and proved exactly how one can adapt to blindness if they must. It was an amazing experience for all and one which will surely not be forgotten any time soon.

Next we headed back to the hostel where we consumed a nice dinner and then put in our preferences for work on kibbutz as well as room preferences. Movie time ensued for the lucky few whilst others headed to bed early aware of the full day of volunteering we had ahead of us on day 14. Our volunteering was done in three places, first up was a factory for the deaf, blind and mute in which things were manufactured. Next was grapefruit picking, the fruits of our labour being contributed to those who cannot feed themselves around Israel. We heard that our fruits would feed 400 families in the next few days. Our final destination of the day was Save a Childs Heart, an organisation which flies in children from all over the world and pays for them to have lifesaving heart surgeries. After hearing what the organisation does we were able to spend some time with the children, who we immediately fell in love with. It was truly inspiring watching these upbeat children despite the difficulties they have gone through. Notably, Harry formed an unbreakable bond with one small girl who rested in his arms as he chatted to it in his unique banter for roughly an hour. It was adorable. Soon it came time to go and as the children were forcibly removed from our arms we boarded our bus and headed back to Bnei Dan, another day over.

A few more awesome days down, 136 days to look forward to!

Jake