By: Jacky Gonzalez
Mayanot birthright 216 was forced out of their beds at 6:45 AM. Reluctantly, we packed up our suitcases and went to the bus, on our way to our next adventure.
With half the bus asleep, we reached Arbel mountain . We climbed up one side and were met with the most incredible view. On one end of our view we saw the sea of Galilee and the Atarot airport, the oldest airport in Israel, which opened in 1920. After our daily story from our tour guide, Ariel, we were given the decision to either go back down the mountain, or continue on the hike down the cliff's edge. I wasn't sure at first if I was brave enough to do it but after much contemplation, I decided, "what the heck?"
The first 20 minutes were moderately terrifying, but when we reached the actual cliff, I began to regret my decision. I had always been afraid of heights and, being on the literal edge of a mountain, climbing down, this did not ease my anxiety. Very slowly and carefully, I glued myself to the mountain and held onto the metal bars, determined not to look down.
Earlier on this trip we were asked what the scariest experience we've ever had was. I would like to formally change my answer to the 10 minutes spent trying to maneuver myself down the cliff. After I kissed the ground with joy, we kept moving. We came across some caves that were originally for refugees during the time of the Maccabees. Then, it was another half an hour (or close to an hour for me) to get down the mountain.
We went back into the bus and I took a nice nap on our way to Tel Aviv. When we arrive, we were given some free time to roam about. My group and I went to a restaurant that supposedly served the best shakshuka in Tel Aviv. I, personally, had never heard of that but I wanted to give it a try. Shakshuka is basically fried eggs with homemade tomato sauce on top, typically served with bread. This was by far the greatest meal I've had so far on this trip.
When we finished, we went down an alleyway crowded with vendors
Later, we joined our group to go to another high point in the old city of Jaffa with a great view. This one was a little different with buildings in our sights instead of fields and mountains. We were explained to how Tel Aviv came to be; how it was built and rebuilt many times and will continue to grow into a metropolis.
We headed to the Independence hall where we heard a passionate woman retell the story of Israel's independence. So far, this country is more beautiful than I could have imagined. I am enjoying our tour guide and his incredible passion for storytelling and hope the next days to come are as filled with adventure as this one.
We then headed to the hotel and had dinner plus some to get ready for our night out in Tel Aviv!
Mayanot birthright 216 was forced out of their beds at 6:45 AM. Reluctantly, we packed up our suitcases and went to the bus, on our way to our next adventure.
With half the bus asleep, we reached Arbel mountain . We climbed up one side and were met with the most incredible view. On one end of our view we saw the sea of Galilee and the Atarot airport, the oldest airport in Israel, which opened in 1920. After our daily story from our tour guide, Ariel, we were given the decision to either go back down the mountain, or continue on the hike down the cliff's edge. I wasn't sure at first if I was brave enough to do it but after much contemplation, I decided, "what the heck?"
The first 20 minutes were moderately terrifying, but when we reached the actual cliff, I began to regret my decision. I had always been afraid of heights and, being on the literal edge of a mountain, climbing down, this did not ease my anxiety. Very slowly and carefully, I glued myself to the mountain and held onto the metal bars, determined not to look down.
Earlier on this trip we were asked what the scariest experience we've ever had was. I would like to formally change my answer to the 10 minutes spent trying to maneuver myself down the cliff. After I kissed the ground with joy, we kept moving. We came across some caves that were originally for refugees during the time of the Maccabees. Then, it was another half an hour (or close to an hour for me) to get down the mountain.
We went back into the bus and I took a nice nap on our way to Tel Aviv. When we arrive, we were given some free time to roam about. My group and I went to a restaurant that supposedly served the best shakshuka in Tel Aviv. I, personally, had never heard of that but I wanted to give it a try. Shakshuka is basically fried eggs with homemade tomato sauce on top, typically served with bread. This was by far the greatest meal I've had so far on this trip.
When we finished, we went down an alleyway crowded with vendors
Later, we joined our group to go to another high point in the old city of Jaffa with a great view. This one was a little different with buildings in our sights instead of fields and mountains. We were explained to how Tel Aviv came to be; how it was built and rebuilt many times and will continue to grow into a metropolis.
We headed to the Independence hall where we heard a passionate woman retell the story of Israel's independence. So far, this country is more beautiful than I could have imagined. I am enjoying our tour guide and his incredible passion for storytelling and hope the next days to come are as filled with adventure as this one.
We then headed to the hotel and had dinner plus some to get ready for our night out in Tel Aviv!
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