Haifa

Alright, if there is only one piece of advice I can give to someone traveling to Israel...it would be to go to Haifa.  Because I mean...look at this!

Ok, now I mean that's a lie because each and every city in Israel has such flare and something so special about it, but Haifa...oh, it's just gorgeous! 

I booked it out of class so fast on Thursday to catch the train to Haifa. My favorite foreigner George had a driving lesson and they picked me up from the train station!  After a very authentic arabic meal, we were headed out into the broiling heat to help me do every tourist-y thing possible...so that meant the Baha'i Gardens.

We decided to walk there because it's not that far, but it was such a crazy walk.  What most people don't know is just how hilly and not flat Haifa truly is.  It is honestly the San Francisco of Israel.  I don't mind walking anywhere, but coming from Flat-ville USA, it was quite a challenge.

But we finally made it to the entrance...only to learn that you're not allowed to even walk in the lands without being completely covered.  I was wearing jean shorts...I mean it's the Middle East, I would be crazy to even think about wearing something that covers my knees because of the heat.  But I have a whole year!

Not gonna lie, the best part of being there was getting to see people I haven't seen in forever.  What was really funny was when George and I were walking down the street to get a good view of the whole city, we saw a group of people walking down the street.  So, I turned to George and said, "ya know George, I think that's Rawy." And sure enough, the closer we got the more we realized it was him!  Rawy is another one of our Hands of Peace friends and I didn't think I was going to have time to see him because he lives 20 minutes out of the city. 

Other than Rawy, I got to see my friend Talia for the first time in 2 years, since I visited.  And we also got to spend time with our friend Elias, who I've known since I was 8 but wasn't really friends with until now.  Those times are honestly the best because I know that even though I haven't seen them in forever, nothing has changed, best friends as usual.

Moral of the story, go see Haifa.