And we're off to the Golan..

I just returned from my last weekend trip of the semester and this was by far one of my favorite trips. At 8 am Friday morning, the group boarded the bus and headed north towards the Golan Heights. Careful with his sleeping passengers, our trusted driver, Shlomo, handled the roads with ease and provided a nice ride in which the majority of us retreated back to sleep. At around 11 am I woke up to find the bus stopped in front of the Golan Heights Winery; our first stop of the trip. We met our fantastic tour guide, Shalom (yes, his name was Shalom), and began our very short tour of the winery. He explained the region and the optimum areas for growing certain grapes and then brought us into the barrel room to explain the aging process.

And now it was time for the best part of the tour- the wine tasting! I'm sure it had to be noon somewhere, but we were all ready to taste some wine and Shalom really delivered a great selection. We started off with a white (of which I cannot remember the variety), then moved to a merlot, and finished off with a dessert wine. And I didn't hate the complimentary pretzels either. Shalom then surprised us by handing out nifty cardboard wine glass holders so we could all take our glasses home. 

Sad to leave the winery and perhaps a little tipsy, we continued onto the next stop of our trip, a nice lookout where Reut explained to us the controversy of the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights was captured by Israel in '67 from Syria and has since then been a highly sought after area of land. The Golan now provides home to kibbutzim, moshavs, and Druze villages. When the lines were drawn, separating the Golan from Syria, a lot of families were split up and between the two counties. A nearby Druze, selling his local cherries, shed light on situation. He, like many other Druze, doesn't particular care which country the land belongs to, but rather he wants to live where there is peace. Digesting his words, we continued north in the Golan to the Druze village of Majdal Shams, the largest Druze village in the Golan. We arrived at the house of Fauzia to find a traditional homemade Druze meal awaiting us.

Fauzia

Fauzia told us that she made a lot of food, so trying not to disappoint her, we all had numerous servings until we literally could not eat anymore. I don't know what she puts in that rice, but it is actually amazing. I wonder if I can get the recipe from her. After her husband retired and her children grew up, Fauzia started cooking for her friends and with much praise and a lot of word of mouth, she found herself hosting groups at her home. Fauzia told us how she is only a resident of Israel, but does not hold an Israeli passport. When the borders were drawn in '67, she was in Israel and her sister in Syria, forcing them to live apart. Fauzia does not complain about her life in Israel and has provided great education for her four children. She explained her upbringing and that of her children living in a modern Druze village. This was much different from the visit to the Druze village back in November and provided a new perspective to what I perceive as a somewhat complicated religion. After conquering the Hebrew language, Fauzia has high hopes as a woman in her sixties to master the English language next. With an open invitation, I plan to visit her in the future (hopefully getting the recipe for her delicious food).

It was finally time to reach the campsite located right on the Kinneret. I definitely don't hate this! We unloaded the bus with all the food packed for the weekend and set up our camp. Although we ate a very satisfying lunch, we are growing young adults and don't stay satiated for too long. Once the sun went down we lit a fire and as tradition, starting making fresh pita. I don't know why it has taken me 23 years to learn the simple pita recipe, but let me tell you, I will be making it all the time. With the fresh pita cooking on the fire on top what looks to be an upside down pan, the name is escaping me, we prepared fresh labenah for topping. A day cannot be bad when ended with fresh pita and labaneh...oh yes, and a the spotting of a wild cow running around the campsites. With that, we all curled up into our sleeping bags under the night sky and ended our first day of the trip.

WAKE UPPPPPPPPP!!!!! It was crucial that we woke up on time on Saturday for we had some big plans for the day. After breakfast it was back to the bus and off to...get ready... a chocolate factory!! Now, I'm sure most of you know of my obsession with Willy Wonka and the entire bus ride I was convinced that I would finally get to meet Mr. Wonka. Well, that wasn't exactly the case and despite my crushed dreams, it was still a pretty amazing time. We visited a chocolate factory on a kibbutz (again, can't remember the name) and walked into a room to find two long tables with chairs and as we got closer we saw plastic aprons and paper hats. With this outfit, we were ready to play with some chocolate.

Benji and I ready for chocolate!

white chocolate anyone?

Then we met Demetri- our chocolate connoisseur for the day. (He was absolutely no Willy Wonka and there was no purple velvet involved at all in his outfit). First Demetri passed out a bunch of laminated pictures and after choosing one, we outlined the shape in dark chocolate and then filled it in with white chocolate, but Demetri insisted that we don't try the white chocolate. I thought this a little strange since we were in a chocolate "factory" but Demetri had a method to his madness. He then proceeded to go around the table squeezing white chocolate into the mouths of those who were brave enough, but Demetri needs to work on his aim because he not only got it in your mouth, but all over your face. When he came to be my turn I tried to tell Demetri that I wasn't having any of this but he was very persistent, and having already learned by name he really gave me no choice. Next thing I know, I am sitting in a chair, looking up to see not only one chocolate spout, but two! Demetri really had it out for me.  So after rinsing the white chocolate off, I sat back at the table and proceeded to cover delicious chocolate truffles in roasted coconuts and peanuts. Have I ever mentioned how much I love chocolate? Then we got indulge in a chocolate fondu. My nice friends decided it was appropriate to then cover my face in chocolate. (Pictures soon to come).

my chocolate masterpiece

With our bellies full of chocolate, it was next to rafting on the Jordan River. Tiffany and I chose a nice kayak/raft type and the next thing I know we are in the kayak and headed down a slide-like contraption into the river. There could not have been a better day to kayak the Jordan. It was hot, but not too hot and perfect for water fights with passing rafts. For me, the best part had to be as we kayaked we kept passing different campsites all blasting Israeli music. Sorry there are no pictures, but I did not want to risk my camera getting wet. I guess you guys will just have to use your imaginations. 

After kayaking some of the group went back to relax at the Kinneret while some of us went for a short hike. We were dropped off on the side of the road and to be honest, I wasn't sure what we were in for, but the past 10 months has taught me that in Israel, anything is possible. After about 25 minutes of walking we found ourselves at a beautiful flour mill that over time had become somewhat of a waterfall. 

We continued up a little bit more to find a ruin of a building with a little pond underneath. A few people climbed down and with their feet dangling into the water they soon found out that they were not the only ones enjoying the water. In the water there were tons of little bottom feeder fish that took much delight in feeding on the dead skin of our feet. Pedicure for free? Can't say no to that. We all found our way down to the pool of water and after overcoming the initial tickle of the fish, sat there talking enjoying our free pampering session. It's crazy to think how much money people pay for such a service and here we were in the middle of the Golan enjoying it for free. 

enjoying the pedicure

We returned to the campsite to join the rest of our group and some of us took advantage of the last few hours of sun and jumped right into the Kinneret. Sometimes I forget how little I am, but the few boys on the program love to remind me...especially in the water. It is just so much easier for them to throw me. Good thing I have two brothers who prepared me for such things. After the swim we dried off and it was time to make dinner....well first we had to make some pita. I think I might be forming an addiction. For dinner we had delicious chicken burgers and vegetables. I don't hate eating on the programs dime. It was back under the sleeping bags for our last nights sleep in the Kinneret. With an even earlier morning wake up it was necessary for a good night sleep. 

The last day was spent on an amazing water hike on the Yehudia trail. This hike involved a lot of rock climbing and an occasional swim, so sorry but there are no pictures. Again, I couldn't risk getting my camera wet. I guess you need to just believe when I say how beautiful the hike was and an amazing end to the last trip of the program. (If you really want to you can look up pictures of the hike online). I can't believe that this was the last trip I will take with Tikkun Olam and I couldn't have imagined a better one. Okay, now is not the time to get sappy. That will come later. Needless to say this was a fantastic trip and I hope I did it justice. 

We're free. We're free, bitches! Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade

Parties. DJ's. Extravagant floats. Little to no clothing. A lot of sun. A fabulous beach party: this is how Tel Aviv celebrates Gay Pride. 

I feel that this is a necessary event to blog on. I had been hearing about the gay pride week in Tel Aviv pretty much from the moment I arrived, so naturally I was pretty excited. In the week leading up to the actual parade, there are nightly celebrations at clubs and daily dj sessions at the so-called "gay" beach. I was unable to make it to any of the parties during the week, but I had mentally prepared myself for the parade. My friend Rachel was visiting for the day (I met her at the leadership conference) and we, along with a few other of my friends, were ready for what was to come. We enjoyed a delicious buffet at a local vegan restaurant and then walked up the beach hoping to run into the parade...and run into the parade we did. As we reached Bograshov St., we found ourselves literally smack in the middle of the gay pride parade. As half of the parade headed south down Ben Yenhuda, we chose to follow the parade north. Good decision. 

Up ahead we saw an amazing pink float that lured us in with it's blasting music (most likely Lady Gaga- this was a constant theme throughout the day). When we got close to the float we understood the large crowd. A pink float, donned in only pink, hosting a constant dance party of men and drag queens. What is not to love? We followed the float to the north of the city, dancing to it's music and celebrating the day. My favorite part had to be when a guy was frolicking through the parade yelling out "Hag Sameach!!" to the parade-goers. (Happy Holiday!!). Not only did I yell this back to him, but I have to say that this is my new favorite holiday of the year. 

You know you would follow this float...

a few of my friends enjoying the parade

The parade was absolutely amazing. I have never seen so many men dancing so fabulously in high heels. They need to give me some pointers on how to dance without falling on my face. The parade ended with the floats going one way and the crowd of people heading down to the beach. What would a parade be if it didn't end at a giant party on the beach? I don't hate it! After quickly changing into my bathing suit, I followed suit and jumped into the sea. Definitely the best way to cool off after being in the sun. After some time in the water, my friends Dante and Tiffany, decided that it was time to dance. Luckily Tiffany lives close to the beach and we made a pit stop at her apartment to drop off our belongings so we could dance care free. I have discovered that it is completely normal to walk around the streets of Tel Aviv wearing only a bathing suit. This city ceases to amaze me. With nothing to worry about, the three of us claimed a great spot on the "dance floor" and danced to the numerous performers that strutted across the stage. Let me just say that I have never been surrounded by so many beautiful men. Is it wrong that I wanted to be a gay man that day? 

beach party anyone?

Yes, this was another excuse to party, but it was actually amazing to see the crowd that showed up to celebrate. People were celebrating from there apartments as the parade went by- they were even nice enough to throw buckets of water on the paraders. In a lot of cities (especially in Israel), gay pride does not receive such a big celebration, and I felt honored to be there. One of the best things had to be that as the music blasted on the beach, the MC announced only 30 min left due to the start of Shabbat. In what other city would a beach party end due to the start of Shabbat? Sometimes I wish that Shabbat wasn't observed so strictly, but it added another element of Israeli society to the already ridiculous day. Tiffany, Dante, and I went back to her apartment where we cooked up an amazing Shabbat dinner. As I walked back down the beach at the end of the night, I was shocked and impressed to see that the beach that had been host to a fabulous party had been cleaned and there were only a few remains of the days happenings. I mean, not every rainbow flag could be picked up....