Bus 1295: Westward from Jerusalem

After four  nights  in  beautiful Jerusalem,  on Monday we  packed  up  and  headed west.  First, we visited the military base where Shachar, one of the Israeli soldiers on our trip, is located. The base, called Mitkan Adam, is a K9 unit, which was super exciting because we got to see the dogs show off a little. We saw one of the dogs go through an obstacle course and we saw another attack one of the soldiers in protective gear. We learned about the different jobs that the dogs have including attacking, tracking and finding explosives. The dog that Shachar handles, named Stephie, works with him to find explosives. We met her and Shachar showed us some of her adorable tricks. 

It was interesting to see that there were many Americans on the base. Because many Americans are lone soldiers, meaning they made  aliyah  and joined the  army while their families  are still in America, they are treated well and are placed in the most coveted units, like the K9 unit. I know that many of us can relate to the American soldiers because we know where they come from and we know what they gave up to be serving here in the army. It's crazy to think about the sacrifices these lone soldiers have made and I was glad to get to see them in their daily lives in the army here in Israel. 

After leaving the base, we headed further west towards Tel Aviv. We spent some of the afternoon in Shuk Ha`Carmel looking around, shopping and eating lunch. I bought some gifts for my friends and family and had delicious shawarma. I got to work on my haggling skills when buying jewelry and have to say that it was a unique experience. We then walked a few blocks to independence hall, where we learned about the history of making Israel an independent state. This whole week, I have especially liked learning about the role Golda Meir played in the beginning of the state of Israel. For me, it's interesting to think about the different levels of female leadership in American history and Israeli history. 

We then got on the bus and went up the coast to Caeserea. We spent time taking pictures in the stunning evening scenery  and  had  the  chance  to  learn  about  the structures  left  there  from  the Roman period. Both the beach and the ruins were spectacularly beautiful. We hopped back on the bus  and headed north east towards Kibbutz Degania where we will be staying for the next couple of nights. In my opinion, it was surprising how modern everything in the kibbutz seemed. After dinner we were surprised with some fun games and activities from the amazing Israeli soldiers on trip. These included a Hebrew version of little Sally walker and a cool krav  maga  lesson.  As  we  get  closer  to  the  end  of  our  trip,  I  can't  help  but  think  about  how privileged both the Americans and Israelis are for being able to have this amazing experience. I know I speak for everyone when I say we are going to cherish and make the most of our last few days. 

Erica Comm '18
​Bus 1295

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