Long Time Gone but Time Well Spent
Trip Start
Jun 15, 2007
1
5
10
Trip End
Jul 03, 2007
Dead Sea, Israel
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Hello again everyone! I'm sorry it has been so long but a lot has been going on here and unless we're at home (Leon's parents) then we have limited access to the Internet.
So to catch everyone up on the longer stuff - the night after we got here and went out with Yossi, Tali, Shlome, and Shaul Yossi's father passed the next morning. I obviously had never met the man but from what I've gathered he seemed like a strong figure in the community and within his family who was very much loved. These are some definite times I wish I could speak Hebrew to understand the stories others share.
As you can imagine this has changed our trip a bit, David (Yossi's father) was buried the next day and Yossi and Tali's big wedding was canceled. They will have a small ceremony for just the closest friends and family so I'd say the wedding was cut from 1,500 to 100 (just to give you an idea of the severity. Yossi and Leon have been close since childhood so we have been there every day/night for the "Shiva" (spelling) where people come and sit with the family in their time of mourning. So in stead of experiencing an Israeli/Jewish wedding I have seen very closely an Israel/Jewish funeral and mourning process. I cannot say I understand everything about it but it was very moving and very raw, something I will never forget.
On a lighter, more fun update note, Leon and I have spent time in Shaul's (excuse me "Shauli's" as his "professional name goes) ;-) salon and been out with him for drinks at the bar on the beach. However, most exciting news...WE WENT TO THE DEAD SEA!!!
We were there the 21st and the 22nd and had a BLAST! I love the Dead Sea. I walked out and just lifted my feet and talk about a human buoy! The feeling is AMAZING! So, we just bobbed around :-P Good Times. Let's start with things NOT to do while bobbing around:
- Do not drink the water
- Do not put your face all the way in the water
- Do not pee in the water
- Do not fart in the water
- Do not put any major cuts and/or scraps in the water!
Now, things AArika DID in the Dead Sea:
- All of the above (minus the peeing and the farting) I was highly warned against those before we arrived :-P And to give you a "taste" of the salt content...ocean water, mixed with 100 salt blocks, dipped in salt rocks, drizzled then with melted salt and after you lick that concoction you eat 500 salt shakers...yes, something like that!
Haha, I will give you a brief run down of the trip and once we post pictures I will put little stories with them to fill in the gaps. On the way there (from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea) picture Babel (the movie and the part where there is the family in the dessert) that's all you see...however, THERE WERE CAMELS and signs for CAMELS CROSSING! I found this to be very amusing! Once we arrived it is gorgeous! Leon has a friend named Ran who works as a manager of the Spa Club in the Dead Sea, so he hooked us up with an incredible room with fruit, wine, water, and ROBES! Sweet! (Again, many pictures to come). Other then this we played in the Sea, swam in the pool, I took a MUD BATH (fun times being a stone), had a FACIAL (which was amazing), and played around the spa. In the spa, something we enjoyed doing, was a riveting game of "Musical Saunas." There were three kinds: wet, dry, and steam...our vote was the wet sauna! (Such adults) :-P On the way home....we ate at a McDonald's - touristy? Yes, but oh so worth it! They had "McKabobs" - yep. It is also one of the handful of "drive-thru" fast foods in the country....did I mention it is in the middle of the dessert..yeah. The End.
Sorry for the looooooooooong blog (however it left room for naps and people to have stuff to do during work to pass time) but there was a lot to talk about and even more to talk about with pictures to come! I love and miss everyone! Keep us posted on home! MUCH LOVE!
AArika
Comments
So good to hear from you!!
Your stories are amazing and so much fun to read. These are moments you will always remember, savor them. Awaiting your next entry. Love always, G&G S.
I MISS MY LITTLE ONE SOOOOOO MUCH!
WOW, I never want to go this long before hearing from you again. After we talked yesterday on the phone I sat and cried. I know you are in God's hands but I still worry. Hearing your voice totally made my day. I am so happy that you are having a great time. BUT, remember, not to much fun without your MOMMA! Nonnie says Hi and that he misses you very much. He says to bring him back something very cool. Stay safe and tell all hello for me. We can't wait to see your pictures. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! The boys miss you, too. Love, MOMMA
A Saturday Hello
It's good to hear from you again. Sounds like you've had some good and not so good experiences... but ones you'll remember for a lifetime. We enjoy your stories and look forward to your next post. Continue making memories and having fun. Dad is off racing tonight, thank goodness... you know how he can pout when he hasn't raced for a weekend or two. Shana and I are headed to WV to see my nephew play in an all-star baseball game (he's 10 years old playing with 14 year olds). Take Care and Love to you Both.
Dad, Donna & Shana
What a beautiful place to stay!
Looks like Leon's friend really hooked you guys up in a great place. Your photograghy is getting better. Hope all are well.
Today Rhonda and I went to an older lady's house down the road and surprised her by weeding and totally redoing her flower beds. We met her while walking. (You will be proud to hear that we walked 5 miles everyday this week). Her name is Mary Deavers. She is 68. Her husband died when he was 43. She lives alone and she is undergoing radiation treatments from breast cancer. I wish you could have seen her face when she discovered us in her yard at the butt crack of dawn. It is wonderful how such little things can make someone smile.
Rhonda, Rick, and Dillon came over for a cookout. Of course we sat on the deck and roasted marshmellows, made smores, and watched baseball outside. The weather here today was great!
John is at the race helping your dad. Your dad was so excited when I talked to him this week that he was going back racing. Devin is working a 9 hour shift at Smoothie King. She really likes it there. The boys are fine, except Luke is losing hair again from the allergies and he is back to a shot a week. Porr kid! Lily is fine and goofy as ever. Skyler walks around following me wherever I go.
I miss you. Call again soon. We are heading to the Nationals game Sunday and probably the condo. Will have our cells. I love you. MOMMA
Stay safe - those roads looked tooooo dangerous!
WOW - I Really taught you to float well!
I know I am a great teacher! Your floating skills really show the skills I have taught you!!! LOL
It is Sunday morning. John just told me to tell you your dad wrecked, again! You nd Devin are going to have to come home and give your dad some driving lessons.
We are headed off to DC, the game and then the Condo. Enjoy your day. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SOOOO MUCH!
Love, MOMMA
Ahhh, how I miss Israel
Well, though Italy is great, it is no Israel. I am reliving all of my experiences through you again! I loved the Dead Sea...soooo amazing. My favorite was to act like I was standing straight up, but really I was just floating....hmmmm. Anyway, I am so sorry to hear about Yossi's(?) father passing. The shiva is an interesting tradition...comforting in some aspect -at least you're still experiencing true Jewish culture. Love you, glad to hear all else is well.