Petra, Jordan.

My last adventure in Israel: it was simply incredible. 

The recovery process since arriving home has taken me a few days but I'm finally feeling right as rain! Semester two has started and already the work is piling up. My hair will probably fall out by week 5 at this rate...

xx

Eilat Arrival.

We eat and we sleep.

Oh Maghar. What a place you have been. There's only one more day to go of the camp before it's time to say goodbye and move onto one last adventure before heading home. I have not had any energy (literally) the past few days since my last post as every excursion, daily lessons or dinner gatherings have sapped all my time and strength, leaving me as one more-than-ready-to-go-home girl. 

I had a bit of a stressful afternoon searching for hotels that were decent/cheap looking plus close to essential bus stations and airports for my upcoming trip to Petra. When I was satisfied with one called the 'Blue Hotel' in Eilat and booked it happily, I noticed with a somewhat horrified manner that there was an "Important Notice" section that explained anyone under the age of 21 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Frantically I tried to see whether I could backtrack and cancel my booking, however the internet kindly told me that I could cancel - as long as I paid the $100. I was SO aggravated and angry at myself for making such a stupid mistake, my host mum quickly noticed my subdued mood and told her husband, who reassured me not to worry and that he could fix any problem I had. Hmmmm...right. 

I tried to keep my nerves (and anger) settled when they called me down for a lovely dinner that also reminded me of home. I'm talking meat, rice and salad. Perfect! Afterwards Noha still wanted to cheer me up and decided to take me on a shopping trip which ended up failing miserably as the shop she insisted we had to visit had closed up early. 

Once we returned Zaki and Noha ushered me down the street to their office where one phone call was made and all of a sudden I was talking to a guy with perfect English who happens to be the brother of the camp's main leader AND lives in Eilat AND who owns a restaurant AND who will pick me up when I arrive on Friday at 2pm, feed me, drop me wherever I need to go, take me shopping, most likely get my money back from the hotel and let me sleep in one of his numerous apartments (or then at least just get into a room) AND most importantly - take care of me until I need to leave on Sunday morning. 

Wow. 

Zaki, you and your connections rule. Once again, more blessings just keep coming my way on this trip. I can't thank this family enough, nor the people in Australia making sure I'm okay on a daily basis or those who just continue to keep me in their thoughts and prayers while I'm over here. 

I am most definitely a very happy and less-stressed person at this moment. It'll be very hard to say goodbye to this wonderful group of people tomorrow!

xxxxxx

Ps, I couldn't help but snap a quick photo when I was enjoying the lovely weather/sunset on the balcony. For those sceptical of visiting Israel - don't be. Of course it's important to always keep your guard up and be aware of the dangers unfamiliar places can pose, but it's so ridiculously refreshing and beautiful discovering cities, towns and people that continue to give, give and give to the point where you don't even understand their generosity anymore. 

Ahhh.

Simply put - I love Israel! :D

Day Off.

Oh how wonderful it was to have a day off! I spent most of the morning calling the family via skype and just catching up on how things are going back home (which was so lovely ♥). 


After the parents returned home from work we enjoyed another wonderful 'early' dinner, which consisted of traditional Druish food where they wrap rice mixed with spices, herbs and chicken in these massive grape leaves. You then cook them for an hour or so in boiling water and bona petite! The verdict? Pretty tasty!

One hour later (after the food had digested) we made a quick stop at a few clothes shops in preparation for the evening's events. As I mentioned in one previous post, I was invited along with Siwar to go to her friend's engagement party. Almost every few nights there have been weddings and celebrations heard throughout the town, so it was nice to finally get to go to one ourselves! The women were so gorgeously dressed and I just loved watching everyone in their separate groups, going about their business (The servers, the guests and the VIP's). 

After many congratulations and compliments, we walked up the street to enjoy an evening of music. The kids were soooo cute! There is definitely a lot of talent within the community. 

Tomorrow we are off again on another adventure in another town. So til then! x

Quick update...

My, these people never cease to make me feel loved! Check out the feast that was prepared in my honour (at Siwar's cousins house)! A little bird told me the lady who cooked it all is famous within the town for her culinary skills... no argument here ;D

Such a beautiful home!

Where the magic happens... ;)

Bon appetite! 

Summer Camp Update:

So it’s been 5 days already at the Mughar Summer Camp and it’s safe to say I’m exhausted! Siwar is already sleeping soundly after today’s teaching (it’s only 3.30pm) in order to get a bit more energy for a family gathering tonight at 5. 

The structure of the camp is fairly simple, with each day organised in a way where from 9-12.30, three separate workshops are completed which include Art & Crafts, Circus activities and more-so Sculpturing with a morning tea break at 11-11.30. The lessons run for one hour each, and so far we’ve gone through mosaic pictures, jewellery making, building houses (out of natural resources: rocks, sand etc) and practising acrobatic movements (I have discovered my flexibility levels = dangerously low). After these lessons we are given free reign to teach for 1 1/2 hours anything we like. Songs, dancing, puppet making and vocabulary testing have so far been a big hit. Our group decided to give each student some homework at the end of the day, and even this is received enthusiastically! 

The kids have really taken advantage of practising and speaking English whenever they can. It’s so encouraging to see smiles all round and lots of teamwork happening no matter what we do. 

Yesterday was a particularly fun day when we visited Superland in Tel Aviv. The bus ride there nearly took all my energy as the girls (who are definitely not as shy as they were on the first day) decided to make sure I knew how to say almost every part of the body/bus/scenery in Arabic AND then I had to make sure they knew how to say the same words in English. My brain was on fire! 

The most popular word of the day would have been ‘Maa’ (pronounced mu-ai) which means water – as the temperature was steaming hot from morning til night. As the camp has been separated into different age and English speaking levels, we all organised a few boys and girls who were to stay with us for the entire duration of the trip. I was with a lovely group of my favourite girls and a fellow Arabic volunteer who made life so much easier as she was fantastic with the children.

The rides were definitely a highlight and we chose to stick to a lot of those surrounded by water to cool down.

Going home should have been a little less tiring (thinking the kids would sleep on the bus) however Round Two of ‘Let’s Name Everything’ began. I don’t think I’ve slept as well as I did that night…

Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday are our days off, so we will be taking advantage of sleeping and leisure activities for us ‘grown ups’. Cue shopping, engagement parties and did someone say kayaking? :D

Aside from the camp, two days ago my host family took a fellow volunteer from America and myself to spend an evening in Nahariya, which is a Northern coastal town here in Israel. All I can say is - wow! A gorgeous beach was there to greet us as well as plenty of smiling faces and a great avenue of shops for anything and everything. We took plenty of pictures and walked along the walkways until a young lady coaxed us into small couches near the water and we ordered some dinner. I chose the Dennis fish (not knowing what I’d get exactly) and was rewarded with a freshly cooked piece of the ocean with a side of salad and rice. I know I always seem to talk about food, but damn, that meal was so good. Seafood back home has some competition that’s for sure ;D

It’s hard to believe one week has already passed and I only have until the 22^nd to enjoy this magnificent country. As always, the blessings keep coming and I’m thrilled to be experiencing this trip of a lifetime. I cannot wait to see what else is in store over the next week! xx