When I'm 64

This week has been filled with mixed emotions all across Israel. Both Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut were celebrated. On Tuesday starting at Sundown Yom Hazikaron started which is Israeli Memorial Day. It is remembrance day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism in Israel. Tuesday after my internship I headed to the Western Wall for a ceremony. Security was very tight as usual. At sundown the flag was lowered to honor the lives that have been lost. We got to the wall early enough so we were able to see everything. Lots of soldiers were both attending and protecting the ceremony. Shimon Peres the president of Israeli spoke during the ceremony, although he spoke in hebrew I understood that it is a solemn day. The ceremony ended with the reciting of the mourners kaddish and the singing of the national anthem. 

Wednesday morning Marissa and I woke up early to go to Har Hertzel, the cemetery where soldiers are buried. We went through four different security checkpoints where we were questioned and searched. At one of the checkpoints our hands were tested for any trace of explosives. We finally made it to where the ceremony was being held and waited. At 10 a siren went off around the country and everyone stood in silence for one minute to remember those who had died. It was again an eerie sound as the entire country stood in silence. Active soldiers were to stand beside the grave of a fallen solider to honor them. Most of the soldiers choose a grave of someone in their unit or a close friend. The cemetery was filled with young men and women standing beside the graves of their friends. After the moment of silence the ceremony started with a torch lit to remember their lives. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu spoke during the ceremony followed by a gun salute, the mourners kaddish and the national anthem. It was a solemn day but at sundown everything changed. 

Wednesday at sundown begging Yom Ha'atzmaut which is Israeli Independence Day. The saddest and happiest days are back to back.  The streets flooded with people dressed in blue and white dancing, singing and celebrating. Fireworks filled the sky and the party was just starting. Israel was 64 years old! I hope I look this good when I am 64! Hebrew University held a party right outside the Old City. We all went and danced under the fireworks as we celebrated Israel! We partied like it was 1948! Everyone had an Israeli flag and was filled with joy.

Thursday morning we headed to the park Gaun Sakar where all of Jerusalem is grilling out. They call it BBQ but I just can't come to terms with calling it BBQing if there is no actual BBQ. Walking through the park we were invited in by a family to join their BBQ. The mother and father were obviously trying to set us up with their sons, so we laughed and just enjoyed the moment. In the middle of the day 4 airplanes did a flyover over the park! Every home and building is covered with the Israeli flag as the celebration continues. We spent the day in the park hopping from BBQ to BBQ even seeing Ruthie a girl I work with! Jerusalem has a small town feel because whenever I go I always run into someone I know. If there was any time to make you love Israel this is it. The respect they give to their soldiers and the love they have for their country is amazing. After our day in the park Milia, Jacki, Marissa and I were sold on moving to Israel right then!

Jacki's grandfather came to visit her and we got to meet him on Friday. He is 87 years old and came here to see Jacki. He took us to our father brunch place where he told us WWII stories. He served in US army and liberated one of the concentration camps. He is an amazing man who gave us all quite a bit of inspiration. Marissa and I headed to Shabbat dinner Friday evening. We went back to the same family who served us personal apple pies, and this meal did not disappoint! As usual the table was filled with food and the courses just kept coming. It all ended with personal trifle puddings that were delicious! It was a wonderful evening filled with lots of singing and celebration. 

Also this week I have decided to keep Kosher until I go home in July. Marissa is also keeping Kosher with me. I thought the best way to learn about a culture is to fully immerse yourself in it. And so the idea of "when In Rome"… or when in Israel do as the Israelis. Luckily in Israel it is easy because almost every restaurant is Kosher and I normally don't buy lots of meat. Keeping Kosher means you do not mix meat and dairy and that the meat you eat is kosher. I am still learning the other rules. But you have to wait after you eat either meat or dairy before you can eat the other. Some people argue you can wait 1 hour some 3 and some say 6. As you can tell I am still learning a lot about what exactly I'm supposed to do! 

It blows my mind how every week I can keep having such extraordinary and interesting experiences. I learn something new everyday! Israel continues to amaze me!

xoxo, 

Katy Ann 

The Real OC

After all the excitement and adventures of Pesach break this week I started to get back into the groove of school. On Sunday I started my first day of my internship at Finn Partners. I absolutely love it! Everyone I work with is not only super nice but quirky and fun. I have my own desk and computer so I feel very official. They even gave me a company email! I was put right to work making media lists, researching companies and helping with whatever assignment they give me. I have learned so much already and I have only worked for 3 days. The greatest part is the openness of the company, everyone eats lunch together, the interns and the head of the company. Also every Thursday we get pizza for lunch! 

Wednesday my archeology class had a field trip up north. We traveled to the ancient city of Bet She'an and Bet She'arim. We focus our studies on the Roman- Byzantine era. Bet She'an is very interesting because you can see how the city changes as it is conquered and how it changes with the spread of different religions. Bet She'arim is known for its cave tombs where lots of famous Rabbis have been buried. We studied the tombs and decorations of the tombs to find out more about the people and culture that were buried there. The coolest part of my class is we learn a concept and then can walk 20 minutes to the Old City and apply what we have learned. 

Thursday was Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. At 10am sirens sounded all across Israel and everyone stopped and stood in silence to remember the 6 million Jews killed. People on the highway stopped their cars and the country was silent for 2 minutes. We learn about the Holocaust in school but in Israel the majority of people lost someone in the Holocaust and it makes the atrocities that much closer to home. It is amazing how after such an horrific event the Jewish people could come together and create something as amazing as Israel. Wednesday night we watched the state ceremony and watched as flags all across Israel were lowered to half mast. At the end of the ceremony everyone recited the Mourner's Kaddish. Thursday after the siren sounded Hebrew University had a memorial service that I attended it ended by singing the Israeli national anthem. It was a solemn day all over Israel but when sundown came the entire nation continued and persevered on as they do everyday.  

For Shabbat Marissa and I headed to the Kotel. It was packed as usual for Shabbas. Everyone was dancing, praying and celebrating another week. I love the Kotel on Friday night because it is full of excitement and hope. Everyone is getting geared up for Independence Day next week so Israeli flags and banners are everywhere. A family who lived in the Old City invited us for dinner. The wife and husband were both Americans who moved to Israel 12 years ago. They now have 5 daughters who kept us entertained all evening. The husband, Elie was hilarious. He kept us laughing all night. When he introduced himself he said, "I live in the real OC: The Old City." It is always great when you go into a home and can tell how great and loving of a family they are. It is also great to see the stereotypes of the Orthodox being broken. As the wife and husband helped prepare and serve the meal together. They had 12 guests for dinner most of us were young students on all sorts of different programs. The evening was wonderful and we stayed till after midnight. I am using the rest of Shabbat to work on my research and rest up for the next week. 

One of the greatest parts of Israel is all the holidays. Almost every other week they have a major holiday that shuts down most of the country, especially Jerusalem. It means lots of celebrations which I love! There is always something exciting happening! 

Shabbat Shalom!

xoxo, 

Katy Searcy 

Lama Lo? Pesach Break

This week Marissa and I packed our backpacks and took the south by storm. Neither of us had any clue how much adventure we were getting ourselves into. Thank goodness for my Dad teaching me survival skills and how to read a map or we would have been even more lost then we were. This week we traveled to Eliat, Jordan, Mitzpe Ramon and a few unplanned stops in between. Since we were keeping Kosher all week we packed Matzo, hard boiled eggs, cheese and charoset. 

We took a bus to Eilat, a 5 hour drive through the Neg Ev. When we arrived in Eliat we found our hostel, the "Faulty Towers." The name should have been a sign for the events that would happen. Eliat is very similar to the Jersey Shore or Myrtle Beach. When we first arrived at our hostel a group of boys were grilling out in the yard, of course we were greeted warmly and invited to join. We found our room and headed for the beach. We swam in the Red Sea! It was really cold. You could literally swim to Jordan it was so close. In Israel there is a type of Israeli called the Ars. A boy who resembles the American Guido and they love Eilat. We met up with our other friends from Hebrew University and went to the boardwalk. We laughed all night at the Arsim trying to impress us. We made it home to Faulty Towers before crashing for the night. 

Tuesday we woke up early to cross the border to Jordan. We did some research and knew a little of what to expect. We paid our exit tax out of Israel and crossed the Demilitarized zone between Jordan and Israel. On the other side we went to passport control and asked for a visa into Jordan. The Jordanian officers started to ask us questions about America. My favorite was "Do you know Chelsea Clinton?" After we made it out of the border and into Jordan we realized they didn't charge us for a visa. Also they gave us employment visas to stay for up to a year in Jordan. Marissa and I looked at each other and started to run before they realized they forgot to charge us. I consider myself a Diva on a budget and this trip was no exception and so I was happy to avoid the $60 visa charge. Jordan lacks infrastructure and so they did not have any buses to Petra. This meant we had to pay a cab for a 2 hour drive into Petra. The ride was beautiful and breathtaking! We drove up into the Jordanian mountains until we reached the city right outside the ancient city of Petra. Marissa and I decided we would camp with Bedouin people. Our driver could not find our camp so he dropped us off on the side of the road. Then these two guys came up to us and said they could take us. We loaded into their car and didn't realize how horrible of an idea it was until they were driving us outside the city. Marissa and I were freaking out in the back seat, I was sure we were going to be kidnapped. After a 30 minute drive outside the city we arrived at our camp in the middle of the desert. We thought it would be a touristy spot but we were wrong. It was an actual Bedouin camp. 

We jumped out of the car quickly and ran into our camp. The Bedouin man greeted us with tea and a smile. After they showed us our tent we headed to Petra! Petra was amazing! We walked a couple of miles through a narrow canyon. It opened up to the most famous site the Treasury! This is where an Indian Jones movie was filmed! It was awesome! Petra was an ancient Nabatean city that was rediscovered in the 1900's. We walked through the city all afternoon. It is known as the "Rose City" because of the red rock the buildings are carved out of. Petra is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Now I have visited 5 of the 7 wonders of the world and I am only 19 years old!! I have realized my life is anything but conventional over the past few months. 

We made it back to our camp and ate dinner hiding in our tent. We ate matzo and the other food we packed but we knew matzo was not the most welcomed food in Jordan. The Bedouins made a huge fire and we sat outside and watched the stars, it was wonderful. We woke up early the next morning and headed for Wadi Rum a famous desert in Jordan. We rode camels in the desert! In Jordan they have camels everywhere, instead of playing cows when they travel they must count camels. We headed back to the border happy that we had made it out of Jordan in one piece. 

Getting back into Israel was easy thankfully and we made our way to Mitzpe Ramon a famous crater in the Neg Ev. Everyone had told us how easy it is so hitchhike in Israel and how everyone does it. So Marissa and I on our adventures streak started to hitchhike. After about 30 minutes a nice old man named Sami picked us up and told us we were in the wrong place. So he drove us to another round about closer to where we thought we were going. It was absolutely hilarious Marissa and I standing on the side of the road laughing. I started to complain that hitchhiking was giving me bad tan lines while Marissa chased down the people who wouldn't stop for us. Finally a man picked us up and told us he was going our direction. As we started to drive we realized the large military presence in the area. Between the military bases, the satellites and tanks I realized we were probably heading the wrong direction. Finally we arrived at a huge military area where the man said, "That is Egypt" as he pointed to the land 100 yards away. We learned this was not the way to Mitzpe Ramon and we were scared! I immediately started to pull out my hair into the car so my DNA could be found if we were kidnapped. At the time it seemed like the best idea. After the man talked to the soldiers and met with his friend he said he would drive us back to the bus station. We arrived at the bus station and my heart was beating so fast. Marissa and I gladly bought our bus ticket and ice cream! I considered my hitchhiking experience my personal Exodus from Egypt. 

We made it to Mitzpe Ramon and found our hostel "The Green Backpacker." It was a house turned into a hostel which was so cute! The owner was really nice to us and gave us advice on where to hike in the morning. The next morning we woke up and hiked in the crater. It looked like a different planet! We used a map to follow the trail which I know my Dad would have been so proud. We hiked about 6 miles until the trail intersected with the highway. The owner told us to hitchhike back to our hostel. This nice young guy picked us up and drove us back. Our bus didn't leave for another 2 hours and we thought "Lama Lo" (Why not in Hebrew). So we stuck out our hand and started to hitchhike. These two guys picked us up and said they were driving until near Tel Aviv. They didn't speak much english so we practiced our Hebrew and listened to music. They drove us almost 3 hours before dropping us off near a Jerusalem sign. We realized we were now committed to hitchhiking because no buses were in sight. Another man pulled over and gave us a ride to outside Jerusalem. He lectured us on how to hitchhike and gave us the rules we needed to follow. He was very fatherly and I think a little worried about us. After he dropped us off we again stuck out our hand and sure enough a young girl pulled over. She was very quirky and an artist. She not only drove us home but invited us for Shabbat Dinner! Only in Israel! So Marissa and I made it home safe and sound!! 

We got a call from Lani, Marissa's friend from home who joined the IDF after high school. He invited us to come celebrate in Tel Aviv with him because he got out of the army! So after a short nap and a much needed shower we headed to Tel Aviv! We had so much fun and it was great to see Lani! The nest day we made it home to Jerusalem in time for Shabbat! Dena and Candace's families are visiting for Passover and so they hosted us for Shabbat dinner. It was wonderful. Milia and Jacki are home from Europe and everyone was back together! I am using Shabbat to catch up on sleep! My first day of my internship starts tomorrow! 

This week was amazing and full of adventure and memories! The entire trip was exciting and we had so many laughs along the way! I am so glad to be home in Jerusalem though! 

Shabbat Shalom!

xoxo, 

Katy Ann 

ps. I posted pictures to shutter fly 

Hag Sameach! Passover and Easter

Last Friday was the first night of Passover which I celebrated. In preparation for Passover everyone cleans their houses and clears any crumb of bread from their home. Nothing that rises is allowed to be eaten during Passover.  Friday during the day Marissa and I walked to town to go to the Shuk. On the way we saw people burning their bread in the streets to get rid of all the bread from their homes. All the restaurants in Jerusalem either close for Passover or have an entirely new menu. The stores do not sell any bread and they cover the areas with plastic sheets. This was my first Passover so I was so excited to experience it all! I decided to keep Kosher for Passover with Marissa which means I kept the normal Kosher laws plus ate nothing that could rice. We could not eat anything with wheat but for some reason we also don't eat corn. This means nothing with corn syrup either. 

Friday night we went to a Seder at a families home in the Old City. It was so cool to go into a home that was only 5 minutes from the Kotel. Passover commemorates the story of the Exodus. This is when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. You eat Matzo because the Israelites did not have enough time to let the bread rise when they had to leave Egypt. The Seder goes through the story of the Exodus and each food you eat represents something else. The Maror symbolizes the bitterness of the slavery of Egypt, we ate horseradish and romaine lettuce. The Charoset is a sweet apple and cinnamon dish that represents the mortar used by the Jewish slaves. Karpas is dipped into salt water to represent tears. Our Karpas was celery. A Shankbone represents the sacrifice that was offered in the temple in Jerusalem. A hard boiled egg symbolizes the festival sacrifice. After you finish going through the story and the prayers we ate a delicious meal! It was so fun to be at a real home with a family. The Seder lasted till 4 am and I did not even realize it! The Seder was a truly great experience. It is only fitting for my life that my first Seder would be celebrated in Jerusalem. 

Saturday I slept and rested all day in preparation for Easter Sunday. I bought white lilies for my room so it would be more like my church at home. Marissa was celebrating her first Easter! Mom and Dad even managed to send me an Easter basket (Kosher of course)! Sunday morning we woke up early and made our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. I wore a bright Lilly dress and Marissa did too! It was crowded and we pushed our way up the stairs so we could see everything. The Greek Orthodox were having a service while the Catholics were having a service while the Armenians were banging bells. It was complete chaos and not at all what I expected. We could not hear anything because each service was trying to be louder than the other. It was a disappointing that it was not kept a sacred service. But I am very glad I got to celebrate Easter in Jerusalem. 

I had to buy a camera before we went on the rest of our journey for the week so Marissa and I went to the mall. I realized it was the same mall I went on my first day in Jerusalem. I was no longer the scared girl trying to figure out which bottle was laundry detergent and which bottle was shampoo. I marched right up to the camera store and bought exactly what I needed. I did not let anyone pass me and we knew exactly which bus to take to get home. I now have chutzpah. It is a Yiddish word that means courage or guts. I have always had chutzpah which all my teachers can tell you about. But I think in Israel I have learned to channel my chutzpah in the right way. 

xoxo, 

Katy Ann 

Yam le Yam

Starting Sunday I hiked from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee! Hiking about 30 miles up and down the Mountains of Israel. The first day we dipped our feet into the Mediterranean Sea before starting our hike in the Nachal Kviz area. We hiked through streams and up a mountain. The water was to deep in the streams to simply cross so we had to literally wade in the water up to our knees. Of course I took a tumble in one of the first streams. I'm not sure how I managed to submerge my entire backpack in the water but my camera is now not working. Although I was bummed about my camera I was thankful I did not get hurt. It was absolutely breathtaking hiking through the valley and onto the mountain. It is the perfect time to hike the Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea in Hebrew) because all the flowers were in bloom. After a full day of hiking we arrived to our camp site sweaty and hungry. 

Marissa and I tried to set up our tent which consisted of me trying to put the poles together for 40 minutes while she took pictures. Finally we realized that if we smiled nicely at our Israeli guides they would set it up for us. I'm not sure how I missed the outdoorsy gene in my family but I repel nature sometimes. Our tent stayed up the whole night! We managed to sleep a little but it got cold at night. 

Monday after we woke up and smiled at the Israeli guides to take down our tent we hit the trails again! We hiked Mount Meron and the valley below. My group leader Ori kept a quick pace so I found myself running on the trails quite a bit. We saw lots of natural springs and wildlife today. Lots of cows and goats! Again the scenery was beautiful. Lush green hills and red poppies in bloom everywhere. After hours of hiking we made it to Piquein Druz Village for the night. The Druz people are very interesting because they are Arab but they serve in the Israeli army. Yet they have a separate government system than the Israeli government. We explored the village before crashing. 

On Tuesday we walked in Nachal Amud Elion. After about an hour of hiking we came to the top of a mountain. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been. You could see the entire Galilee area and the Golan Heights. It was completely green except for yellow, red and purple flowers in bloom everywhere. I really started to see why people fight over this land. The pictures and description do not do it justice but it made me realize that I will be back to Israel because I have fallen in love with this magnificent place. 

We made it to Tzfat where we stayed the night. Tzfat is a Kabbalah town. Kabbalah is the hippie sect of Judaism. The street art and people are famous around the world. We went to a drum circle and I realized American Jewish kids have zero rhythm. Tzfat was a really quaint village and I really want to go back! 

The next day we hiked through Naschal Amud Tachton. We only had a short hike before reaching the Galilee so everyone was excited. We hiked through a valley completely covered in yellow and red flowers. Everyone was singing and hiking! Mem would have been so proud as I pointed out queen anne's lace, poppies and morning glories to my fellow hikers. The area looked straight out of a movie! 

Finally we made it to the Galilee! I have never been more excited to see the Sea! When we arrived we have a toast to our accomplishments then spent the afternoon swimming. At the beach they had a huge lunch for us and a little oasis. They had set up pillows and mats under umbrellas so we could relax. It was absolutely perfect. The Galilee was super cold and it was fresh water. It could not have been a more perfect day!

We finally made it back to Jerusalem exhausted and I immediately crashed. Thursday Marissa, Candace and I headed to the beach in Tel Aviv for the day just to recoup before the craziness of Passover begins. 

Although I am not outdoorsy I had a wonderful time seeing the north of Israel. It was an amazing journey and I am so thankful I did it. Israel is such a beautiful and unique country. It continues to amaze me everyday. 

Happy Passover! Hag Samech! 

xoxo, 

Katy Ann