I finally got Adina to myself yesterday and gathered the following information: driving age is 18, an undergrad degree is a 3 year endeavor, not 4. Tuition for a 3 year program at a public school is $4000 TOTAL. I had just moved on to speed limits, traffic cameras and DUI laws when, unbelievably and treasonously, Ron sidled up and asked some inane question about Mary Magdalene and was she or wasn’t she married to Jesus. And then some other tour member joined in and they were off, once again, discussing the ancient biblical world and I was alone.
Granted, we WERE at the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus apparently walked on water, so perhaps they felt their questions were more relevant, but I beg to differ.
Here’s the Sea, which is actually a lake, and Ron, wandering the remains of a 5th Century (could be wrong on century, look it up if it matters to you).
As an aside, and totally irrelevant, Ron just came out of the bathroom as I was typing this and announced that he’s only used two pair of underwear on this trip and yet we have been gone for a week. Text him directly with any comments or concerns you have.
Happily, we left the Sea of Galilee and moved on to a kibbutz, for a private tour. This particular kibbutz stopped being a socialist collective about 20 years ago. I couldn’t really tell what it was now, other than a place to live as a peaceful group. (Oh yeah, they also run a budget-looking hotel there). There is no more collective dining hall and children live with their parents, not in a nursery. It’s the kind of place Book Club could live, I think, where you could all hike, kayak and share your group cow and lamb purchases happily. Here’s a couple of pics from wandering around – one of a school on site, one of the abandoned dining hall and one of a random house. It’s a modest place, to be sure:
We’re here in Jerusalem now, about to head of for a day of sightseeing. I’ll leave you with a couple of food shots. The food here is fabulous. I’ve seen no corn at all, vegetarian options are everywhere and the bread products are fabulous (could be that I’ve just missed gluten so much). Pomegranate juice is a mainstay and even Ron is drinking it now.
Here’s a meal I was served yesterday. They’re arabic lentil and garbanzo fritters in a tahini sauce. I’m obsessed with tahini paste here. Between that and the chocolate babka, I’m fighting a losing calorie battle.
Here’s two guys at a rest stop, making us more pomegranate/orange juice. Notice the full bar behind them, so you can make a quick pit stop and then continue on with your vehicle travels.
Lastly, here’s a wall of chips, I think. I was so full from the Arabic fritters that I didn’t buy any.
Off to see Jerusalem!
Travels with Valerie 