Anyway, we begin the day by eating. Because we can, because there are so many kosher places to eat in Israel, even way up north. Basically, the kids had their best breakfast ever. Hot chocolate made from real chocolate, and covered in whipped cream and colorful marshmallows. And because Aroma gives you chocolate with every drink, they also got a piece of gelt. That's right. Because it's Israel, the chocolates are seasonal. I love this!
Okay, so we head to the Canada Centre, drag out our bags of ice skating gear because of course we brought ice skates. And trek through the rain to the entrance and can barely get in the door, because it's raining and everyone up north has decided to come. My girls actually ran into a school friend who was there with her extended family, aka two buses of people. Oh boy!
Anyway, we get in and it actually wasnt so crowded inside. I think everyone just arrived at the same time. To keep it short, the kids went skating, played ping pong and pool, saw a 7D movie, and did this race car game thing. We didn't know that you needed towels for the pool or reservations for bowling so we had to skip those. (note to self. When the check in guy starts talking really quickly maybe ask a few questions) But overall, the kids had fun, I was freezing, and no one broke a bone. Success!
So now it's dark and we decide to leave and try and do a glass workshop in tzfat. But I have a genius idea first to take the kids to see the Good Fence. You know, the fence on the border of Israel and Lebanon by Metullah where you can stand and take pics standing between the two flags???? Jon has never heard of this and I've been there at least four times. We saw a sign so we drove off to find it.
Note to everyone. This is where Google would be your friend. Because the first thing I said to myself was, "Hmmm, I wonder if it still exists because Israel and Lebanon don't exactly have a great relationship these days." People, listen to your inner voice! But no, I find the location on Google maps and we start driving. We are inching along the border in the dark but we can't find it. We loop around a few times and nothing. So finally I Google and well, it closed down in 2000. So okay then. We didn't go and see it. Oops!
Here is a map of our meandering drive.
Here I am at the good fence in 1995
Off to dinner in tzfat. We go to this little dairy restaurant that was recommended and the food is delicious. Everyone was happy and fed. We were trying to do a glass workshop in tzfat but it was too late at night for us, so that will wait until next time. We headed back to our bed and breakfast place.
Finally, day #3 has sunshine!! We get up early and check out so we can finally do something outdoors. Jon has been wanting to see eagles, so we head to a nature reserve. It's chanukah so we figure things will be crowded. Let's just say, we had plenty of space to nature watch.
At first we saw nothing and we were about to call it a day. But then suddenly we spot a few eagles and then a group of ten of them. Totally a worthwhile trip! And since we are Israeli now, we have a national parks card so we can go to any of the many parks for free (well, included, not free but whatever). We just flash our cool membership card.
Next stop, DeKarina chocolate workshop. We saw a movie and had a tour of the factory which was really cool. The factory is actually tiny. Then we got to do a little workshop. To be honest, the workshop was kind of boring and too short. But at least we got to taste the chocolate! Everyone did come home with the chocolates they made so I didn't feel the need to purchase any. My favorite chocolate (from looking at it, I didn't taste it) was the Mt. Hermon chocolate. It's a snow capped mountain of chocolate!
When that activity ended, we started the long trek home. Fed the kids doritos (also kosher here!) and granola bars for lunch. Because we are the best parents ever!!! (and we didn't want to stop). We arrive home in Modiin for fifteen minutes just to unload the car and get winter coats. And, back in the car kids (I told you that this was like National Lampoons vacation) off to Jerusalem.
Okay, so yes, it is true. Since we made aliyah in August we haven't taken our kids to Jerusalem yet. Maybe that makes us terrible parents (add it to the list kids) but the time has just gotten away from us. First we didn't have a car, then we didn't have a license, and then life just got busy. At least the boys went with their schools.
So we are trying to see the candle lighting at the kotel and then the candle lighting at Mamilla. Being the special people that we are, we missed both. First, we enter the old city through the Jaffe gate as usual. But then we started following people and suddenly we are on the longest route to the kotel ever. Complete with cars driving making us smoosh up against the walls. The old city isn't exactly designed for cars, yet cars drive through it.
We make it through the long security line at the kotel, visit the kotel, look at the already lit chanukiah and then start to head back to Mamilla to catch that lighting. There is no way I'm taking the long way back. So we decide to hike it through the Arab shuk /market which is the most direct path. One child was refusing to go that way but really had no choice. Anyway, it was fine. And 144 steps later we were back out at the Jaffa gate.
And finally, I got to see what I've been waiting to see. The light show on the old city walls. I saw a video of this last year on a friend's Facebook page and ever since I've been waiting. It was as cool as I had imagined. I mean, think about it. A modern light show on the ancient city walls. Pretty amazing. I was definitely more into it than the kids, but they indulged me. We finally ended the day with some takeout back home in Modiin because Mamilla was way too mobbed to attempt to eat. Overall, a great vacation!
#1 chanukah is awesome here
#2 still haven't seen a Xmas tree
#3 I wish I could live in the north
#4 but I still love Modiin
#5 my kids and I have way different versions of a fancy place to stay
#6 the amount of food you can eat here is scary and delicious and hasn't lost the wow factor yet
#7 don't go searching for the Good Fence
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