Day 10 Israel

Day 10 began with a visit to Independence Hall, the site of the declaration of Israeli independence in 1948. Our guide gave a passionate and genuine speech concerning Israeli independence and her desire for peace with their Arab neighbors. Largely there is a peace between people but a peace between leaders is harder to find especially when terror groups are added to the equation.

After visiting Independence Hall we went to a bullet factory from before 1948 that was hidden from the British underneath a Kibbutz laundry room for 3 years. It was very cool. Hard to imagine working a a factory in secret for 3 years!

We were given lunch and most of the afternoon to ourselves. I had the largest and tastiest tuna fish salad sandwich I have ever had (sorry mom!). I should have taken a picture. After lunch I enjoyed the arts and crafts market with some friends and we returned to our hotel for some swimming and Shabbat dinner.

Being our last night in Israel we decided to hit the town. We went to Mike's Place, a live-music jazz bar adjacent to the US Embassy. We were informed that just a few years ago a suicide-bomber blew himself up in the club in an attempt to hit the US Embassy. The majority of the victims were tourists and young people like us. Hard to imagine. It was a great night and a great way to end our time in Israel.

Note: Israelis love lemonade, but with a twist. They add mint and crushed ice. It is amazing!