I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. The semester is officially over and my family is back in North Carolina. The last few weeks I jumped from exploring the country with my family to taking my exams. My family arrived in Tel Aviv on May 23rd and I met them at the airport. Mommy, Daddy, Mason, Carson, Aunt Patsy, Papal, our preacher David and his wife Candy all landed safely at Ben Guiron airpot! I was so excited to see them! We visited Yako a small city near Tel Aviv before heading up north. We visited on Olive Farm on our way to Haifa and stopped by Caesrea to see the ancient city. Mason loved all the history stuff. We arrived in Nazareth which we used as a base to explore Rosh Hanikra and Akko. I roomed with Aunt Patsy who was the most excited one in the group! It was so fun to tell her all about everything I had been doing all semester. She was so surprised to see how wonderful Israel was when she told me she had seen so many horrible things on the news about Israel. Aunt Patsy hit the nail on the head, while Israel does have a long list of problems it is still a wonderful place and the media does not do in justice.
I had already been to many of these places but I was excited to be able to go back with my family. In Akko Mason and Carson quickly made friends with the locals and as we sat down for lunch we saw them jumping off the city walls into Mediterranean Sea. Our guide did not believe they had jumped until they walked into the restaurant a few minutes later soaking wet.
After Nazareth my family headed north and I had to go back to Jerusalem to take a few exams. They finally made it to Jerusalem and I could not wait to show them my favorite city! I would have to say the greatest part of them being in Israel was the food. All the restaurants I had wanted to go to all semester I finally got to go! We did a tour of the Old City where we walked the Via Dolorosa and saw the Western Wall. We even made it up to Temple Mount to view the Dome of the Rock. This was my first time on Temple Mount and I was astonished by the size and beauty of the Dome of the Rock. We then headed to the Old City market where we shopped. Whenever we travel we have an entire list of things we have to find, almost a scavenger hunt. We have to find keychains for Mason, pins for Carson, a Christmas ornament for Mom and an army officer hat for Dad. So when we shop we shop very strategically.
We spent the next few days in Jerusalem going to the Israel museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Then walking the walls of the Old City on the Ramparts walk. I took them to the shuk, my favorite place in the city to see where I buy all my groceries. We walked the Mt of Olives and visited the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested. With so much to see in Jerusalem our days were jam packed with historical places. On Friday everyone went to Bethlehem but Mom and I stayed in Jerusalem. We went to my favorite brunch place, Kadosh. Then we spent the afternoon walking through the city and shopping. I missed my Mom so much. That is one of the most difficult parts of living in Israel. It is not the figuring out what weird thing you are buying at the market or having to get off the train for a suspicious package, it is being away from my family.
After Jerusalem we headed to the Dead Sea, stopping on our way at Masada. Dad and Mason loved it while Papal and I tried not to faint from the heat. The Neg Ev is so hot this time of year so I was happy to finally arrive at our hotel and jump in the Dead Sea. The next morning I had to head back to Jerusalem once again to take another exam. I was so sad to be away from my family that after my exam I traveled back to the Dead Sea. The next morning we headed to Ein Gedi an oasis in the desert where we took a short hike before heading back to Tel Aviv.
At the farewell dinner I could barely keep it together. I was not ready for my family to leave, but there flight was early the next morning. After tearful goodbyes I was yet again heading for Jerusalem to finish my adventure.
I did not realize how much I missed my family until they got here. At one point I told my Mom, I am ready for y'all to leave so I can have peace again and I live in Israel! Even though they drive me crazy I still love them dearly and was so excited to share the country that I have fallen in love with. I am also proud to say that Israel is still standing after the Searcy's visit!
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