Pesach in Israel

Spring break began last Friday. It's been a gloriously relaxing week.

This week is Pesach, which began Monday evening. Pesach commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, which is said to mark the birth of the Jewish people as a nation. Evidence of Pesach is all over: everyone wishes you a "Hag sameach"; in all supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations large sheets of white plastic cover all leavened items-- bread, cakes, beer (if I had a camera, I'd post a picture); restaurants feature special items for pesach-- matzo sandwiches, blintzes.

On the first night of Pesach, however, we departed from Jewish custom. Rather than attending a seder, the Jones and I headed out west to the West Bank-bordering Arab village of Baqa to visit one of our students. Sami had dinner waiting for us when we showed up, and the next day consisted of a marathon of hikes around the area with delicious Arab meals as bookends. Awesome.

After the 24 hours we spent with Sami I am dying to live in an Arab village. The tranquil, laid-back atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chaotic, accelerated pace of the Israeli coast. The load of fresh-baked pitas from the Arab bakery for 10 shekels, the general pleasantness of the residents in the Arab areas, the placid character of the area-- it all won me over.

Chez Sami.

Sami's yard includes tons of fresh sage, mint, herbs; lemon, apple, pear, pomegranate trees; strawberry, blueberry, raspberry bushes; enough orange, mandarin, and tangerine trees to have fresh citrus every month of the year.
I love this place.

Sami making us fresh lemonade.

Hiking in a wooded area that used to be a Palestinian village.

Monastery on Mt. Tabor.

Inside the monastery.

My fabulous, amazing, wonderful roommate--
to whom photo credit is deserved.

View down the mountain.

Harvard/MIT (whichever you choose) is certainly lucky to have you, you weirdo.

On Mt. Tabor.

The site of our delicious dinner.
We thought the rec was a joke, but it was actually a quality meal.

Post-dinner Arab sweets.

Nazareth just before we spent 30 minutes driving aimlessly up and down the hills looking for the entrance to the highway.

Baqa dollar store.

Can anyone formulate a feasible explanation for the child's shoe attached the bottom of this car with a plastic tie?

Thanks, Sami!

In summation: "Har. Har. Hardy har har."