Just a quick update so I don’t fall behind.
First of all, I don’t know how much you’ve been hearing about the riots going on in Cairo right now, but it’s getting a bit more intense than people expected. Well, I have 2 more weeks in Israel before we’re scheduled to head to Egypt so, fingers crossed, things will calm down a bit to let us in. If things still seem dangerous, that means no Pyramids on the 15th, but instead we’ll stay in Sinai where we’ll be for a few days anyways. I suppose I don’t mind some extra time lounging around the Red Sea (especially after we do a sunrise hike up Mt. Sinai on the 14th- sweating myself to the ground on Valentine’s day), but I’ll be super bummed if we don’t get to go to Cairo… but whatever we do, know that Bruce Fisk (our professor) only has our best interest in mind and so trust that we’ll be safe.
Other than that, Nazareth has been great- we had a free day today filled with rain but beautiful nonetheless. Getting here was a little difficult since we had to pass through a checkpoint on our way as we crossed over from the West Bank to Israel- the only problem was that it was on Friday, which is the start of Shabat for Jews and they closed the gate at 1:30 in the afternoon, so when Matt’s (one of our leaders) Hebrew and our American women charm didn’t win them over, we had to drive 2 hours out of the way to get through a different checkpoint that was open. BUT, stopping at the Palestinian Fairtrade Organic Olive Oil factory was SOOO worth it. It’s called Canaan Fairtrade and what they’re doing is awesome. They said they ship and they have a website but I haven’t figured that out yet.
We also stopped at a refugee camp along the way that’s doing a really cool, progressive thing with theatre. It’s called the Freedom Theater and they have a website too. It’s such a good way for people and especially youth who are growing up in hostile settings like this to get their emotions out through acting and also feel like they’re able to give something back themselves.
Tomorrow we head down the Jesus Trail and believe it or not there’s a possibility of snow! We’re hiking 10 miles a day for 3 days from here to Tiberias and then we get to spend a day at the Sea of Galilee.
Alright friends and folk,
I love you and I appreciate you keeping up with my adventures. I hope all is well at home.
Always,
Alyssa
