SaBABA

Okay, so this past week was pretty intense for me, and we are going to begin on Tuesday. Wednesday was the remembrance day for fallen Israeli Defense Force soldiers, the bulk of which are teenagers my age so that really put it in perspective. Tuesday night, on the eve of the remembrance day, the Ulpan (the Hebrew School) brought us to a memorial service for them, and it was quite moving. Some parents got up and gave speeches about their children who had passed away. Unfortunately it was all in Hebrew so I couldn't understand the majority of it. Then on Wednesday morning, after classes and another ceremony at the Ulpan, my cousin Ofer picked me up, and I just relaxed at his house for the rest of the day. At night, Ofer brought me to Haifa to watch a huge laser lightshow and a bunch of fireworks commemorating the eve of Israel's Independence Day. Then on Thursday, Israel's Independence Day, we went to an Air Force base and got to watch flight demonstrations of F-16's and some helicopters. Ofer spent a lot of time in the Air Force as a helicopter pilot so I had wonderful time being introduced to all the different types of helicopters, I know a lot about military jets, but not helicopters so it was nice. Okay now let me change the subject to food. On Independence Day, everyone in Israel has barbecues whether it be at home, at the beach, in the park, in the desert etc. So after going to the Air Force base we had a barbecue at Ofer's house with all the family. Oh man, do I love hummus, pita, and kabob. SO GOOD. At that barbecue I met a distant cousin named Ari, who is more so my age, sorry Ofer, and he invited me to hangout with some of his friends in Haifa the following evening. So the next day I went to Ari's apartment. We first met up with some of his friends at an Arabic restaurant known for its ridiculously good hummus. Turns out it was ridiculously good. Then later that evening we went to a bar/club/pub, I haven't really figured out what it is, named Sketch. Let's just say it was very "posh." We got back quite late, and went straight to sleep. Then Avi wakes me up at 9am, and he says, "my father and I have a surprise for you." So I sadly get myself off his surprisingly comfortable couch, and we go outside to meet his dad. I'm told to bring my passport. He drives us to an airport. Turns out his dad is a pilot, and they take me flying above Haifa and the Mediterranean in their private airplane. It was sick. On our first try landing, their was a huge gust of cross-wind and the plane was bouncing on one wheel on and off the runway. So we had to make a second go around. Don't worry, I'm still alive. Anyways, I'm back at the Ulpan, just finished some homework, and am just about finished writing this. Sorry if this was a bit rambling, it was quite a lot to cover, and I've definitely left out a lot, it was a really great couple of days. Well anyways, take care everyone. Keep the Peace.