Jordan

Jordan,the Arab country to the east of Israel is a land steeped in history.It has been home to some of mankind's earliest settlements and villages and relics of many of the world's great civilizations can still be seen today.

We were delayed in crossing the border at  Jordan river terminal, both at Israeli security and Jordan immigration and lost the opportunity to see the castle of Ajloun which was on the activity list.

Our group of 40 eventually settled down for the coach drive through the dry and arid land of Jordan dotted with olive and date trees.A hour later we parked at Artemis Restaurant with a good view of the valley.There were seats for 200 or more here apparently catering to tourists on their way to Jerash nearby.Decent buffet was served with tandoori rotis etc and one could see Jordanian hospitality in action.

Jerash is the site of the ruins of a Greco-Roman city. Ancient Greek inscriptions indicate that the city was founded by Alexander the Great who allegedly settled his aged Macedonian soldiers here sometime in 331 BC,when he left Egypt and crossed Syria en route to Mesopotamia.

Arch of Hadrian

In AD 106,Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia,which included the city of modern day Amman.The Romans ensured security and peace in this area,which enabled its people to devote their efforts and time to economic development and encouraged civic building activity.The arch of Hadrian was erected in 129-130 AD to commemorate the imperial visit.
Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy and is sometimes referred to as the Pompeii of the Middle East.

We ambled through the colonnaded streets,the magnificent theater,The Oval Forum,Hippodrome,baths and other ruins.

← Forum

Colonnaded Street

Theater facade

After 2 hours here we continued our onward journey towards Amman and there we were treated to the famous sweet dish Kanafeh which is  a slightly crunchy cheese pastry and very popular all over the Levant.
As we left Amman and got on the highway and heading south to the desert...the coach broke down!
We had a 2 Hr wait on the road and by the time we hit the Bedouin camp it was close to midnight and the winds were howling in the desert.The sky was brilliant with stars but we hardly had an appetite for star gazing or for the sumptuous dinner that was laid out.

Rocky hills of Petra at dawn

Our camp in the valley

Bedouin camp near Petra was our abode for the cold night. Luckily we had comforters to see us through and woke up quite early,in time for a hearty breakfast and to start our day touring the "rose-red" city.                                                                                       

Ruins of Petra from a look out point

A Bedouin

PETRA  - An Incredible Historic World wonder!  
     
Capital of the Nabataean empire, Petra was a prosperous kingdom in the first centuries BC and AD.The Nabataeans were masters of irrigation,a skill that came in handy in such an arid environment.This was a very modern civilization with brilliant engineers and craftsmen.Petra was later annexed to the Roman empire and flourished as a major trading route connecting Mesopotamia and Egypt until an earthquake destroyed much of the city in the 4th century AD.Petra remained largely deserted except for the local Bedouins.

In 1812 it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer and ever since it has been visited by millions of tourists. You will understand why by looking at the following photos.

But first,a tribute ---

                     They seem no work of Man’s creative hand;

Where Labor wrought as wayward Fancy planned;

But from the rock as if by magic grown,

Eternal—silent—beautiful—alone!

Not virgin-white—like that old Doric shrine

Where once Athena held her rites divine;

Not saintly grey—like many a minster fane

That crowns the hill,or sanctifies the plain:

But rosy-red,—as if the blush of dawn,

Which first beheld them were not yet withdrawn:

The hues of youth upon a brow of woe,

Which Man call’d old two thousand years ago!

Match me such marvel,save in Eastern clime,—

A rose-red city—’half as old as time!’ 

John William Burgon

Our guide leads us from the crowded parking lot through Visitor centre and Security and we were on our way.

We saw Bedouins with horses for rides.Also horse driven carriages were in use by the elderly to cover the distance of a Km to the entrance.

We came across the Obelisk Tomb carved in 1st century AD.Above the tomb are 4 pyramids → symbolizing people buried here.

Below is the Triclinium, the banquet hall.   

As we  meandered along the dusty and narrow Siq (the lane/gorge leading to the city) we saw the remnants of the ancient water delivery system.The Siq at it’s widest is ~5 meters but reaches hundreds of meters upwards.It resulted from a natural split of the mountain.See it to believe it!! Gigantic!!!

Then we saw this father and daughter duo creating music under the eave of a huge boulder.

      

We zigzagged for half hour and suddenly the Siq opened up to a huge clearing and we had arrived at the city entrance.Lots of tourists are gathered here and lots of Camels and vendors too! This is why.                                             

What a great way to build up the suspense,walking the distance in an impressive gorge,until you are face to face with the Treasury!What a sight to behold!It was an incredible feeling to stand there and take in the magnificent creation from every angle.To have the Treasury revealed in such a spectacular fashion.Those Nabataeans had a bit of flair for the dramatic.Probably constructed in 1st century BC,the edifice is intricately carved and chiseled to perfection from a sandstone rock face and stands 40 meters high. 

Unfortunately,we could not go inside,like Harrison Ford did in Indiana Jones. Tourists are to blame for this ban since they were found screaming inside and the noise was destroying the structure.

Petra’s ruins are among the world’s most renowned archaeological sites.It is a testament to the ingenuity of the Nabataean people, who were able to construct towering structures half-built and half-carved into the rock.

Other ruins of distinction here are as follows.

←Street of Facades are monumental tombs carved in the cliff face that lies past the treasury.  Theatre→
Numerous rows of seating carved into the rock!!and with a capacity  for 4000.

←The Great Temple;a great architectural monument covering an area of 7000 sq.m and inlaid with elaborate floral friezes.And the large  Monastery which was used for religious meetings and later converted to a Chapel.↑
We returned to the coach after an incredible tour of Petra spending close to 6 hours.  

Today, Petra is Jordan’s most popular travel and tourist destination and for good reason.There is an experience of a lifetime here and photos just can’t capture the feeling of standing among such incredible ruins.If you are a fan of history and love to travel,then Petra just has to be on your list of must see places.

After a long coach journey and stops for late lunch and some Curio shopping we crossed the border and returned to Jerusalem.
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Israel Part 3 - Carsarea,Nazareth,Galilee and Golan

Mon 18/11

Caesarea and Nazareth

55 Kms down south from Tel Aviv, on the coast of Mediterranean is Caesarea the port city that King Herod built as a kind of  architectural playground for himself over 2000 years ago.He dedicated it to the emperor J'Caeser. It’s a planned city with a network of roads,a temple,markets and residential quarters along with a theater and Hippodrome. It took 12 years to build and became the headquarters of the Roman Govt. in Palestine in 6 BC. Along the seafront are the remains of Caesarea and subsequent Byzantine, Muslim and Crusader structures.We spent about 2 hours here exploring the interesting ruins and wandering through the remains of what was once a great marketplace. 

On the edge of the national park is the massive Roman Theater.This classic Roman amphitheater is perfectly preserved. It has the typical semi-circular shape with seating on staggered stone steps facing the stage and the stunning sea beyond. In Roman times the theater would have been important in entertaining the many foreigners and sailors who came into port.We climbed the seats and got a wonderful view of the sea; sat where theater goers of two thousand years ago would have enjoyed,perhaps,a Roman adaptation of a Sophocles play or other Greek drama.The theater is still in use  and concerts and plays are held in the summer months.

Sarcophagus

The wealth of Roman Caesarea is reflected through the wide range of stones. They were brought from  Mediterranean  and Eastern coasts.

Most of the Roman and Byzantine statuary were on display near the entrance of Herod's theater.They represented, emperors,dignitaries and deities and were found headless.

Hippodrome - Among the archaeological remains there is a large hippodrome with reconstructed frescoes. Here the Romans would hold horse and chariot races.It is 450 meters long,90 meters wide and 30,000 people could be seated here.It reminded me of the scene of chariot race in Ben-Hur.

Another surviving piece of the ancient structure is the public toilets – a row of stone seats with holes in them. Throughout the park there are large Roman columns, sculptures, gravestones and carved architectural features attesting to the importance and opulence of this former Roman city.

Also at the site we can see where the bath house, temples, store rooms and homes once stood. Of particular interest among the many archaeological findings was an inscription naming Pontius Pilate. This was the first recorded mention of Pilate’s name dated within Jesus lifetime.

Structures remaining from the Byzantine era include a villa with floor mosaics and the ruins of a Byzantine church. 

Today, it’s a place where a man who in 22 B.C., couldn’t spend his fortune fast enough, sparing nothing on his grand master plan and building a glittering array of grand palaces,temples,and areas for entertainment and commerce. The population swelled to an impressive 100,000 citizens. Two thousand years later, as we exited, we watched  a short movie show on Caesarea and its glorious days before it all perished owing to the wave of conquests in the later years.
From Caesarea we drove north to reach Nazareth in about an hour and here we were in another historical (Biblical) town in northern Israel.

We were put up at Fauzi Azar Inn,a 200 year old Arab Inn converted to Dorms/Rooms in the heart of Jesus town. Homemade cakes,hot drinks and a breakfast buffet was included and served in a homely dining room. There's a 24-hour guest kitchen,a leafy courtyard and a laid-back lounge.Rooms have high ceilings.

Nazareth is known as "the Arab capital of Israel".The inhabitants are predominantly Arabs,of whom 70% are Muslim and 30% Christian.A Jewish suburb is built on a hill overlooking the old city.
From our hotel we walked down to see the important sights of the town. 

Nazareth is a city with biblical history. In the old city,the domed Basilica of the Annunciation is, some believe, where the angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear a child. Historians say that the Grotto and its surroundings were the site of annunciation and were turned into a place of worship in 1st and 2nd century. What supports this claim are the numerous inscriptions on the wall left by pilgrims of earlier times.Today this church is the largest catholic church in the middle east which has been successively built/destroyed/rebuilt since the 4th Century.

in the Grotto

Next to it,St. Joseph’s Church is said to be the site of Joseph’s carpentry workshop.The underground Synagogue Church is reputedly where Jesus studied and prayed. 

We walked some way down the road to reach Saint Mary's Well,or the Fountain of the Virgin. This well was the outlet of an underground spring and was used to collect water.The water was also claimed to have miraculous healing powers.Today it has run dry. It is probable child Jesus and Mary often came here to draw water.

There is a Jesus trail of 65Kms established in 2007,a hiking and pilgrimage route that traces the route Jesus may have walked,  connecting many sites from his life.Our Inn was supposed to have been on the TRAIL! 
We went into a Greek orthodox church nearby.We were told that the best Falafel maker in Nazareth is situated in the square here and so we made haste to get to this vendor and got very fresh Falafel,Salad and gobbled it up with Tahini sauce.Wow! was it good!
Walked back to the Inn and called it a day.



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Tue 19/11 Galilee and Golan Heights

It is going to be another long day today as we troop into the coach at 7:30 in the morning on a pleasant day.

First,we passed through Cana Church the traditional site of the wedding feast where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. Then we had a long drive to Capernaum.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, brought up in Nazareth and preached in Jerusalem but it was  in Capernaum  where he performed many of his miracles. Capernaum became his home and the Bible calls it Jesus’ “own city”. It was in the synagogue here that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Bread of Life (John 6:35-59) ” Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day”. The original Synagogue lies beneath a more recent  construction. In this synagogue Jesus would regularly preach  and cure people of maladies..

The remains of the synagogue include one complete wall, the ruins of the other walls and several columns. You can still see some of the motif carvings on the walls.We sat by the side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world, 210 meters below sea level. Jesus preached and performed many miracles around this lake.

Next,We drove along the sea up to the Mt of Beatitudes..a 10 min drive.This is the place where Jesus gave his important sermon on the hill to the multitude that assembled to see and hear him. The sermon has 9 verses, each starting with "Blessed the..." or in Latin "Beati ...". The Latin word gave this hill its name - Beati-tudes. It was a beautiful setting with the Sea of Galilee glittering in the Sun a short distance away.A Roman Catholic Franciscan church,monastery with its hostel,gardens and a farm are here,notwithstanding the milling crowd of tourists.It is a beautiful setting with a look-out to the Sea behind the palms in the garden

An hour away,further north is the Banyas nature reserve and waterfall an impressive place to spend some time.There are  gushing springs, waterfalls and  shaded streams that form one of the most beautiful nature spots in the country.

We headed for lunch at a Druize restaurant located on the bank of a crater lake with beautiful views from all the tables on the terrace. Druize is a small Arab community living peacefully in Israel and known for their hospitality. Many of us had Druize bread made with goat cheese,oil and Zaatar(a prepared condiment generally made with ground dried thyme, oregano,mint,mixed with roasted sesame seeds and salt).It goes well with veg salad. 

After a leisurely lunch we headed to The Golan Heights area a green rocky plateau located in the far north of Israel. 

Golan Heights is the area captured from Syria during the 1967 six-day war. Mount Bental can be found in the middle of the Golan Heights,towards the Syrian border.Here is one of Israel’s favorite mountain peaks to visit, partly due to the great panoramic views of the Golan and Syria but also because Mount Bental was the site of a courageous battle fought during Israel’s war for the Golan. 

View of Syria

A short drive up,the mountain-top provides both scenic beauty and a glimpse back at the past – with bunkers open to visitors.Emerging from the bunker, a  Binocular can be operated for a small fee to see the Israeli-Syrian frontier and the old battlefield now covered over with fields of olive trees,Vineyards,grain and produce.

We indulged in some wine tasting at a nearby winery and got back to Sea of Galilee for a dip in its holy waters and then to our Inn.

Cooking Workshop

In the evening we engaged in a traditional cooking workshop making Freekeh. It is essentially wheat that has been harvested early,while the grains are still tender and green.The kernels are then roasted and dried.

Freekeh is high in vitamins,minerals,fiber and protein. It is common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines and has long been part of the food culture in countries such as Jordan, Egypt,Lebanon and Syria.

For 2 cups of Freekeh we took 4 cups of water,brought it to boil and simmered it for 40 minutes.We also made chicken curry and salad and had a jolly good meal

← Freekeh and a wee bit chicken for six diners

Cabbage Salad garnished with Parsley and lemon⇀

Tomorrow we are heading to Jordan which I will cover in my next Blog.
Until then, Shalom!

Israel Part 2 - -Masada,Dead Sea,Tel Aviv and Kibbutz

Fri 15/11

A coach was arranged by Abraham tours to take our small group of 10 to Ein Gedi,Masada and the Dead sea.Today we will be seeing a lot of the Dead Sea.The coach ride of over 90 min had one stop which was useful to watch Camels who were kind enough to pose. 

Ein Gedi natural reserve is an Oasis 80 Kms south of Jerusalem.After driving through miles of brown and beige desert and getting hazy views of the Dead Sea,the green lushness of the Ein Gedi Oasis showed up.This nature reserve has everything from hiking trails to ancient ruins. It is set between the harsh Judean Desert and the sterile Dead Sea. Below the craggy cliffs,are seemingly miraculous fresh water springs flowing into clear streams and waterfalls.We spent about an hour here.



We saw this Hyrax clinging to a rock as is his/her wont.





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Further up Masada is an ancient fortress in southern Israel’s Judean Desert about 100 kms south of Jerusalem adjacent to the Dead Sea.  Built around 30 BC by King Herod,Masada is located on a massive rock plateau 450 meters above the level of the Sea,was a palatial fortress in the style of ancient Roman architecture.Herod who ruled from 37 BC to 4 BC knew the strategic advantage of Masada and chose the site as a refuge against his enemies.During his reign luxurious palaces, camps, store houses,living quarters and double walled fortifications were built, the ruins of which can be seen at the top.

Roughly 100 years later a group of rebel Jews took refuge here fleeing from the Romans.In the course of a few years the Romans built a ramp to the top of Masada and battered the fortifications. About 960 Jew rebels decided to commit mass suicide rather than live in shame and humiliation as slaves of Romans.

Today a  cable car and a long winding path climb up to the fortifications and we could see the ruins of all that was built.Most of the artifacts discovered have been moved to museums.We spent an hour here before taking the cable car for our return,have some lunch and get back to the coach.

We are now heading north with the Dead sea on our left.The Sea is also  known as the Salt Sea and is actually a lake.It has a single source, the Jordan River,and is not connected to the ocean.It is landlocked causing the water to evaporate and leave behind massive amounts of salt,making it so dense that people can float on top of it. We are driving to Kalia beach.Our driver/guide informs us that the sea is sinking at the rate of more than a meter every year and that dangerous sink holes are appearing near its shores..

Why?As the salty water recedes fresh groundwater wells up and dissolves layers of salt creating large underground cavities above which sink holes form.The holes can open without warning.We were shown  Resorts and beaches that have closed down,collapsed and abandoned buildings owing to formation and threat of sink holes.

If you truly want to experience what the Dead Sea is all about, a visit to Kalia Beach,one of the best known beaches of the Dead Sea,is a must. The beach is located at the northern area of the Dead Sea,a beautiful spot. A lovely terrace built above the beach provides a gorgeous view of the  waters of the Dead Sea and the surrounding mountains. 

There was access to amenities like locker rooms,showers and bathrooms.After changing we walked down to the beach which was at least 50 stairs down and there was a big crowd,many of them covered in mud and a number of them floating in the water.We could see tents, chairs and beach showers stationed throughout.

We entered the water and found it very slimy and slippery and poky on the feet.Slowly we sat down and the lay on our backs and were easily floating.I underestimated how easy it was to float as the water contained 30% salt and minerals as compared to sea water which has about 6% salt.We would have spent 20 minutes in the water and were careful not to ingest it. 

It was carnival like atmosphere. And you have the lowest Bar too! The irony of it all was that we were enjoying our time,a moment in history while a catastrophe was in the making..Dead sea may be dead by 2050! 

After a thorough wash up we joined our group and drove back to Jerusalem as the sun was setting.

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Sat 16/11 After our breakfast we were transferred to Tel Aviv the capital of Israel.Under an hour we reached Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv.

A word about Sabbath:Every week religious Jews observe the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day,and keep its laws and customs.Sabbath starts a few minutes before sunset on Friday and runs until an hour after sunset on Saturday.God commanded the Jewish People to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy as the fourth of the Ten Commandments.

All public activity ceases ...shops,restaurants,public transport all are closed/stopped.

Tel Aviv Sea front

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are only about an hour away from each other but in a lot of ways they are worlds apart. Jerusalem is the Holy City and Israel's ancient capital, while Tel Aviv is a modern cosmopolitan metro and technology capital.While history is deeply embedded in Jerusalem’s culture,Tel Aviv is in the process of creating a history of its own. A hub of technology – Israel has more tech start-ups and venture-capital funding per capita than anywhere.Tel Aviv is the center of the movement. Jerusalem expresses the middle east with its people and religions along with their appeasement and conflicts. But Tel Aviv is the expression of the dreams of most of the people who live in Israel.Many Tel Avivis look down their noses at Jerusalites – and by extension,the rest of the country — as parochial,uncultured and fraught with conflict. 

We walk to Jaffa. Now some history for you before we reach Jaffa.

Jaffa the southern and oldest part of Tel Aviv is an ancient port city. The port continued to be important through history and served as the main entry point to the land of Israel until the late 19th century when Jews from around the world began to return to Israel. It was through Jaffa that they entered the country and in Jaffa that many settled. The huge population increase led to overcrowding and tense relations developed between the Jewish and the old Arab residents of the city. As a result Jews began building outside of Jaffa and formed the city of Tel Aviv.

From our Hostel it is a good 40 minutes leisurely walk down south up to the Jaffa Clock tower and port area.The Clock tower was built during the Ottoman rule more than a century ago to pay homage to the region’s Ottoman ruler and his vast empire. The tower’s clockworks symbolised modernity and served as a source of pride for the Jews and Arabs in Jaffa who collaborated in building it.

The Old City is home to winding alleys filled with craft shops and art galleries, and stalls selling antiques and jewelry at the lively Jaffa Flea Market. 

The Setai Hotel,near the entrance to the Marina and port is a $500 a night hotel.This was a police station and  jail house until recently.This is where Adolf Eichmann was held for two months pending trial and execution.

Past the hotel we got a panoramic view of the Mediterranean as well as the many beaches that line the shore.There is a beach for Dogs here!
A public promenade walk framed by the sea includes a sandy beach, picnic areas and outdoor workout equipment.
On the other side is the old Jaffa Port from where many fishermen head off into the sea each night.

The Suspended Orange Tree at Jaffa

Artist Ran Morin has created this amazing work of art in Jaffa entitled ’Orange Suspenda’. The orange tree’s soil and roots  are encapsulated by a planter that resembles a seed. The tree is modestly fed by an inconspicuous drip system and continues to grow and put forth fruit.Morin's work of art represents the closeness of man and nature.Symbolically,it also represents, for some, Israel’s rebirth as a nation and triumph over sand and wasted lands.

Florentin is an old part of  Tel Aviv which hasn't yet seen the same scale of gentrification as others.It has a very mixed population,

traditionally characterized by poverty and yet is youthful and yuppie. It is a symbol of south Tel Aviv, and is a fascinating area to walk through,looking at their prowess in street art contrasting the modern Tel Aviv.  

Feeling good!

We are now on Rothschild blvd. which is one of the most important and iconic streets in Tel Aviv. Located in the heart of the City, Rothschild Blvd. is a commercial center, with major financial institutions lining the street, a cultural center with the main theater and concert hall of Tel Aviv,a culinary center with tens of top restaurants, and a leisure center popular with dog walkers,bikers and some of Tel Aviv’s wealthiest and beautiful who stop off at the amazing coffee kiosks found here.Walking along Rothschild Blvd is a beautiful experience,stopping along the way to observe the building architecture,occasionally sitting on the benches and observing people,children and dogs.

Before I leave TA I must tell you about the White City area,where buildings are in white in Bauhaus style that provides a good insight into a particular form of architecture that came out of Germany in the 1930's. The Jewish settlers coming at the beginning brought the hottest architecture of that time with them.In fact there are around 4,000 Bauhaus style buildings in Tel Aviv. Many buildings are in pristine shape while others are getting there. The Bauhaus style favors functionality over ornamentation and asymmetry and regularity over symmetry.

I leave you with this photo of Abraham Hostel that was our abode.

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Sun 17/11
Today we are visiting a Kibbutz a word that means "gathering".
Kibbutz is a type of settlement which is unique to Israel. A collective community,traditionally based on agriculture,the first kibbutz was founded by pioneers in 1910. Today,there are over 270 in Israel and they have diversified greatly since their agricultural beginnings with many now privatized. Regardless of their status,the kibbutz offers a unique insight into Israeli society,and the visit was memorable to say the least.

Our group of eight visited Ma'agan Michael.one of Israel’s largest known Kibbutz for its successful business activity turning out handsome profits.They are located an hour north of our hostel near the Mediterranean sea.Established in 1949 there are 1000 members,including children and elderly residents some in their 90's.

Laundry segregation and labeling is Unique!

After a pleasant welcome and introduction Yari Sharon,our Host,kept us busy for the next 20 minutes when we watched a video presentation.Then he took us around his complex  showing their system of communal services for the convenience of the residents.It includes a communal dining room,food storage,laundry, washing and distribution,two grocery stores,landscaping and maintenance services of all kinds.We visited the vehicle authority which manages more than 100 vehicles of different kinds and provides vehicles to members for transportation. Healthcare and clinics,hair styling and pedicure are also provided.

In the beginning,school going children were kept separate from their parents and were managed by teachers and the support staff and provided meals as required.At that initial stage parents were heavily involved in developmental work.They would meet their children  for about 2 Hrs every evening.Now that they are developed they all live together.

About 150 members work in very senior positions outside in various professions,and their salaries are credited to the Kibbutz and forms a significant portion of the income.In other words no member of the Kibbutz earns privately.All the proceeds from the business activities including fish-farming, avocado crops and plastics production#, are placed into a pool that serves the community and its members equally.The management process is entirely democratic and goes through elections.
#Plasson Industries Ltd. is a global manufacturer of plastic fittings for plastic pipes used in water distribution systems, gas conveyance systems and wastewater systems. Additionally, its division 'Plasson Poultry' is a leading manufacturer of systems for Poultry farming.

“The community is a big family with no social or economic levels,” Yari explained. “Even if you are a member with wealth through inheritance, it goes back into the community pool.”

Through their joint efforts, families are provided with homes, children grow up together and attend the same schools, members partake in various extracurricular activities, and daily communal meals are prepared in large dining halls. Each member is given an equal allowance that is used to buy food in the communal dining room or clothes and everyday necessities from the stores and markets. 

There are regular cultural interactions to keep the diverse members together and traditions alive.

Yari walked us through the kibbutz’s wide streets, abundant in tropical trees and plants and the sound of birds and children at play. As we strolled,community members walking or passing by on their electric Carts or bicycles  gave us a warm greeting. 

There are spacious Gyms,swimming pools and Art/Drama centers.Anyone wanting to pursue higher education in Engineering, Medicine, Arts etc can seek and obtain financial help to go to University.

Likewise the Kibbutz will raise funds for a costly Surgery.Also one can propose a business plan and obtain financial help.An elderly authority provides for the well being of all elderly Kibbutz members.

Yari in white Tee

We visited the Cobalt Mediterranean Sea  near by and concluded our tour at the dining hall, overlooking the ocean, enjoying a delicious lunch and feeling overwhelmed about everything we had seen and heard.We met Yari's wife (teacher) and daughter at lunch who were happy that we had enjoyed our visit.

Cooking Workshop.
We got together at our Hostel's spacious  kitchen in the evening to learn to make Shakshuka for dinner.

Shakshuka has more than a few things going for it. It’s fun to say, fun to make and fun to eat. The word Shakshuka comes from Arabic, It may date all the way back to the Ottoman empire.You’ll find it in Libya and Tunisia, and it’s become a staple dish in Israel. Shakshuka features poached eggs in a hearty,spiced tomato and pepper sauce.

We had a young chef working at a famous restaurant in Tel-Aviv. Previously he worked as an IT engineer and has high regard for Bangalore which he has visited.We were a dozen diners and participated joyfully in dicing ripe peeled and poached tomatoes, thinly sliced onions,red peppers,green peppers and crushed garlic.We used some mushrooms and parsley too.Spices used were sweet paprika,ground cumin seed,salt and pepper to taste.

All the ingredients were cooked in a large flat skillet over Olive oil and once it simmered we added raw eggs sunny side up by making indentations on the simmering puree!

We cut egg plant,cauliflower and boiled potatoes after brushing them over with olive oil and let it bake in the oven.Finely chopped green salad and fresh
bread were the accompaniments for this very sumptuous dinner.

Part 3 follows.

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