More happenings in Israel

In the Jewish culture, from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown is the Shabbat.  It normally starts off with a big meal with family and friends, and is a time away from technology to hang out with people and reflect on life.  This past Friday I was in charge of the Shabbat dinner.  The Israeli apartment of my friends got a Mexican meal for the first time.  Can't always have Israeli schnitzel and traditional foods.  Sometimes you need some new spices to come into play and take the party to the next level.


When I started to cook, I had no idea how many people were coming so I just made a ton of food, which we had bought at the local market that day (along with everyone else since all the stores close on the Shabbat).  Good thing I made a lot of food, since there ended up being 9 of us. Feasting with good people.  Homemdade Pico de Gallo, lime chili chicken, beans, Mexican rice, sauteed peppers and onions and chopped lettuce made up my portion of the meal.  Some other food was brought by the guests (not as good as mine) and we wrapped it all up in the Turkish bread Lafa, which is as similar to a tortilla as you will get at a market in Israel. 

Dinner was a big hit, and after we went through the weekly trivia questions which Gal translated into English for us.  We all did surprisingly well, apart from the pop culture questions from Israel.  It was a solid evening to wrap up a great day.  The day started with an early brunch at the best spot around, with the best bread in town and high quality, freshly roasted in house coffee.  Then to the markets, packed full of people and vendors shouting out deals.  Then I went to the holocaust museum, which is one of the best museums I have ever been to.  So much detail to what happened, with personal stories, videos, somber history and a well guided flow, topped off by a great sculpture garden outside.

The day before, I had gone down to float in the Dead Sea and see the ruins of the mountain fortress Masada.  The views from up on the fortress were amazing, with the Dead Sea and unbelievable mountains all over.  On the other side of the Sea is Jordan, where Petra is.  This part of the world is crazy beautiful, and I have become even more a fan of the desert.  Might want to be back more in teh Spring or Autumn though, as it was pushing 45 degrees Celsius when we were there, which is more than 110 Fahrenheit.

The Dead Sea is such a weird phenomenon, with a glossy finish on top of the water, a horrible taste (just had to try it), and the disability to sink.  You can lie on your belly and read if you want.  The classic photo is of someone reading a newspaper on their stomach.  Often when trying to put our feet down in the water, they either go forwards or backwards and float upwards.  The hardest part for me was fighting the urge to dive under water.  The stinging in the eyes would've been hell and it is strongly recommended not to do so, or to swim without goggles.  That saltwater is powerful.  It was amazing to float, stare across the water at the mountains in Jordan and relax.  Good times!