In Israel, the majority of the approximately 102,000 Druze consider themselves a distinct religious group. Since 1957, the Israeli government has also designated the Druze a distinct ethnic community, at the request of the community's leaders.
We were going there for the inexpensive shopping opportunity. Of course, when I think village, I think quaint little community nestled between the hills we were approaching. I am not sure why it is classified a village—and the others with me expressed similar surprise. It seemed to me a complete city stretching over several hills.
One of our madrichim told us that the whole village is descended from about four families. Incredible. We stopped for a great lunch where our head madrichim--who rocks! negotiated for them to bring us a schmorgasbourg and we would all pay 15 shekels. Nice. :)
Well. I bought a few things for my walls to home-ifize my little apartment. Not too many things struck my fancy, so further decoration will still be to come. Additionally, one of my friends from the ulpan has an apartment she has lived in for years, but may have to return to the states for a few months in the fall. She and I are discussing whether or not I might move in to take care of the place while she’s gone, paying her the same amount I would pay in the dorms. (Other than money, there’s a lot to consider on both the pro and con sides. We decided for now I will stay in the dorms for September so I can have some time to come visit her place, meet her landlord and neighbors, and figure out more of what my daily life will look like here before making a decision to move to the valley or stay on the mountain.)
What did I do the rest of the week? One of my friends got quite sick, so the other girl of our little trio and I went over after class each day to check up on her, cook for her, and watch diligently to make sure she ate something (her appetite was completely gone and her throat was sore, but we wanted to make sure she got some kind of nutrition each day…). She was on antibiotics, but they didn’t seem to be doing much good. She just texted me today to tell me she is in the hospital. Eek. They don’t know what is wrong yet, but I am glad at least she is under more professional care…
Oh, I realize a couple of pictures I've taken haven't made it on here. I kept seeing these signs all over campus and didn't know what they were pointing...turns out it is to the bomb shelters. Good to know. Our teacher told us when the latest Lebanon war broke out, they all moved to Jerusalem and continued classes there. What a weird reality.
On Wednesday, the moisture in the air was finally light enough that I could get a good picture of the bay. :-)
Thursday we had our final, which I feel went very well, and that night the daughter of the professor I will be working with got married and they had invited me to the wedding. I was honored to attend! Another girl from the lab and her boyfriend picked me up from the dorms and we drove up to Akko (about a half-hour to forty-five minutes away), and along the way she gave me the rundown on marrying in Israel.
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