We started Sunday off with an early morning, packed our bags and headed out to a very long day. The schedule was packed with meaningful things. First, we went to Yad VaShem. Our tour guide took us around the museum telling us stories and details about individual people's lives. The architecture of the building was magnificent, shaped to show the 'light at the end of the tunnel' it got lighter as we approached the end. Natural light shone down only in places where hope was found. Videos showcased survivors telling different parts of their stories. Ending the museum with the most gorgeous view, we left to the children's memorial.
The children's memorial is a dark room filled with glass and candles. As you walk through you hear names, and ages of children who were killed in the holocaust. The candles appear to be stars. Why? My favourite explanation was that we cannot count the stars. The memorial was heart breaking and beautiful and left us all appreciating what we have a little more.
We left Yad VaShem and walked to our bus in the rain. And I do have to say, for one the mood matched the weather. When we arrived to Har Hertzel, we discovered that the area around the graves was closed because of construction for Yom HaAtzmaut. So instead of seeing the graves, we went to the museum located there. Walls moves and videos played, and we just sat and watched as we learned all about Hertzel and his dream.
From there, the mood got immediately lighter as we boarded the bus to the north. Everyone was excited to see our friends again after so long. We waited and waited until it was our stop, and we hopped out one by one at our different pickup points and headed home for the night.
Monday morning we went to school with our billets, and got the chance to meet their Israeli friends in the way to school. We then went down to Lev Haemek, and played Canada trivia with grade 5 and 6. Punishments for getting questions wrong included screaming like a polar bear and having to sing Oh Canada. Together with the kids, we played the Israeli version of dodge ball. At home we use nerf, but this is Israel: dodge the soccer ball. This prompted me to ask, for the first time in my life, "can't we play hockey?!" Our pen pals joined us, and we left to see the Tel Chai college and museum.
At the college we learned about static electricity, and sparks flew, literally. We froze Popsicles and lit lights on each others noses! Lots of high pitched screams rang out around the room. However, the most amazing part of the science centre, was getting to see and learn about what our communities across Canada contributed to.
From there we got back on the bus, which by now is our second home, and drove to the Canada centre. We skated on ice skates that were less like skates and more like ski boots with blades and sat in a hot tub that was really, not that hot. Whatever we did was made fantastic because of the company. Watching our Israeli friends skate was great, and squishing about 13 people into a hot tub meant for 5 is always fun.
To end our great day, we got ice cream at the cafe and got on the bus to spend the evening with our friends and their families.
-Yael
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