After our the middle do our week, we took a day tiyul to the north of Israel.  We had an early start, and a full day.  The first of our four stops was a lookout point, where we saw a view that is postcard worthy.  At the viewpoint, there were also several cows that were surprisingly friendly to us, so that was also a plus.  Our next stop was the first official settlement of the first aliya to Israel in the late nineteenth century.  We watched an informal movie and learned about the struggles of the challutzin (pioneers).  Then, for lunch we stopped at a small natural spring that was dedicated to a group of fallen soldiers from the IDF.  After lunch, we hiked through a narrow and shallow river that leads into the kinneret.  The water was plenty deep to have fun waking around in, and even some friendly wrestling matches.  We finished the day with dinner on the street.  The next day was a short morning, after which I left for my friend Ayden madrich’s (counselor) house in Peduel.  

My Shabbat experience as a whole was unlike anything that I’ve ever seen or heard of at home.  It was a relaxing, entertaining, comforting, fun, and plenty restful shabbat accompanied by Batel’s lovely family and several delicious feasts.  We went through Batel’s family routine for shabbat, which included playing a plethora of card games and walking through the town.  The essence of why this experience is truly only found in Israel is how unique it was to have streets empty, with nothing making noise, no cars, and no disturbances.  The only presence on the streets was that of friends walking around, talking, playing, and laughing.  It was shabbat better than I ever could’ve envisioned it.  We walked through the whole neighborhood and took in the peace that one could never find on shabbat in America.  

Overall, my week was just another one full of great times and memories that I continue to both cherish and look forward to more in the future.  I expect this upcoming week to be no different, and I can’t wait for what comes next!