Swimming at Sachne (and Supermarket Sweep)

Blog from Emma: 

Today was amazing and because of that it put me in the mindset that every day is going to be just as amazing as today. We woke up at 6:15 am this morning (ugh!!) and by 6:45, our day had started. Breakfast was very good and very different to the standard breakfast in the States. Pasta and pesto, vegetables, pasta and tomato sauce and more. It was delicious. 

We then began our day of activities with an insane hike. We first did a small uphill hike to a gorgeous view point where we did our daily t'fillah. On our way up, what looked like hundreds of Israeli soldiers ran past us, it was really cool. From there things went "downhill" (literally.) From the top of the mountain we hiked down to the bottom. We had to climb down the steep walls of the mountain on the edge. It required teamwork and communication to guide one another as to where to put our hands and feet. We hiked to the bottom and it was amazing to look up to the top of the mountain and see what we had accomplished. 

From there we went to a supermarket to buy food for lunch in a "supermarket sweep". We split up in 4 teams and raced to see who would get their ingredients first.

From the supermarket we went to the Sachne pools which were absolutely gorgeous. They are royal blue natural pools that we swam in. There were little fish, huge rocks, and a stunning waterfall. It was incredible. We ate a pita, hummus, and Israeli salad for lunch and then celebrated Aaron's birthday with cake and watermelon. We then went to a children's home in Afula named Emunah where we got the chance to meet kids who were lucky enough to find a place like this to help them get through the tough times they were having at home. It made us realize how lucky we are to have parents that care for us and love us. 

We came back to our kibbutz, Ashdot Yaakov, and tonight we went to a service to begin Yom Hazikaron, the day of remembrance. We remember those who fought in the many wars that Israel has participated and their lives were taken doing it. We remember those as well whose lives were taken due to acts of terror. We thank all of the IDF for their service and the risk they take every day.