day 2
Today, I went on a run around the kibbutz. There is a Tell with ruins on it, overlooking beautiful landscapes. We heard a call to prayer from an Arab community near the kibbutz from the top!! It was a beautiful, solitary moment. We had a huge thunderstorm around 8 with hail and it was pouring! I am learning that rain in Israel makes everyone very, very happy!!! I met my teachers today. David Solomon, the Dean of Students is an amazing person and educator. After dinner we had optional activities, one of which was discussing Israeli politics and current events. I went to that with David and we talked until 10:30 PM about anything from history of Israel to communication between Israel and America, and from Israeli culture to comparing education! I have the feeling I will leave here with a very different perspective of the world and Israel. I'm sitting in my room listening to DD Havana Nights (!!), and trying to watch Israeli news... FYI, I feel completely safe here.. of course we havn't left the kibbutz yet, but we have our own security guard who is always near us. Also, tonight there was a function at the kibbutz with Israeli cabinet members and there were soldiers walking around with M16s... A little scary, but i'm getting used to it!!!!
