Born Free

We are free and our army duty is complete. Today our group has a trip and then the weekend. Five of us have finished the two weeks while the rest are going back on Sunday for week three.  Outside the dorm we were handed a certificate and pin to thank us for our service.

We boarded a bus with two groups from other bases and headed south of Haifa. We toured the detention camp Atlit and it was a fascinating site. Jews from Europe and others were held here by the British and refused entry to Palestine from 1939 until after WWII. It was very difficult for these Holocaust survivors who were again subjected to barbed wire, showers, disinfectant and armed guards watching them.

Atlit was in a state of deterioration and has been restored as a museum. There are barracks, entry hall and other buildings to tour. There is also a Latvian fishing boat similar to those used in the blockade. We went aboard and were treated to a multimedia program that was quite impressive. It showed life on the boats and the arrival in Palestine.

Now we are headng south to Tel Aviv. Most of our group have headed north for the weekend and we said our goodbyes. There was sadly no ceremony for our departure. One madricha simply handed us our certificate and pin this morning as we waited for the bus. I hope they do more next week for those who stay on.

Finally arrive at the central bus station in Tel Aviv and found a sherut to Jerusalem. The five of us from our group are all staying in the same area and get dropped off in front of each place. Jeff and I are at the Abraham Hostel.

It is a large place with people of all ages and from many lands. Our private room is very comfortable with two twin beds pushed together, storage and a counter with sink and mini refrigerator. Lots of toilet paper and decent towels. We brought our towels and pillows so we are extra comfy here. Our friends Sue and Bob stayed here last year and gave it a good recommendation. It is a great location too.

After unpacking we took a short walk to the Mechane Yehuda market. It is a fabulous, large shuk (market) with produce, restaurants, and anything else you can dream up to buy. We saw a doggie store and a place with a huge variety of halava.

I purchased the pecan halava and will go back to try some others. Jeff got some carrots and tangerines and we got six big bottles of water to keep us hydrated. We had dinner at the shuk and it was an experience. My cousin Eleanor had recommended a fish restaurant near the spaghetti place. How we found it is so crazy, but well worth the visit. We asked at the hostel about the spaghetti place and the guy said it is called, "Pasta Basta." When we were walking around we asked for this place and got directions and sure enough the fish 'n chips was right across the way. The gal recommended the panko coated cod and we found a nice table where we could watch the world walk by.

Our meals were so good! Large portions of crunchy, moist fish with really good French fries and three kinds of dipping sauces plus ketchup. I had not had anything to eat today so I was famished. Afterwards I bought some baklava and just tried one bite as it is so rich and buttery and delicious.

We are back in our room now and ready for sleep. Tonight they spring ahead with their time and we have changed our watches. We have had quite a day and quite a great vacation.