Peace and Serenity, Finally

It was a beautiful day today in Dafna, a kibbutz in northern Israel bordering Lebanon and Syria. Ronen (who I'm staying with for the next month) grew up here, and we are staying with his parents for the weekend. The air was hot, but not too hot to appreciate.

The morning started with a hearty Israeli breakfast at Ronen's father Eli's. There were five of us at the breakfast table: Ronen's mother Mickey, Eli, his girlfriend Liora, Ronen and myself. The food was wonderful, though not my usual choice for breakfast-pasta, salad, meatballs, liver & onions, and yams. Everyone spoke mostly in Hebrew, which I don't speak well, though I could make out a few learned words. Every once in awhile someone would take the time to explain the conversation. Still, even though I don't understand, I feel perfectly comfortable here. Family is family no matter where you are.

After breakfast, Ronen, our friend Ariel and I went to the river just outside Dafna's gates. I attempted to swim but the water was so cold it took the air right out of my lungs. So instead I laid out on a small stone bridge, listening to them laugh and speak Hebrew while I gazed at the sky. After a long walk home around the perimeter of the kibbutz, we went back to Ariel's to re cooperate for the rest of the day.
By nightfall we changed into warmer clothes and went to their friend Amichai's house to BBQ and watch an (apparently) important soccer game between Italy and Germany. The food was perfect for the occasion: Thick and juicy manga sausage that we ate with hummus and pita. The second the food hit the table, a large assortment of dogs that live in the kibbutz came to join the party-searching for food or a good ol' fashioned belly rub.

The rest of the night was spent eating, drinking Israeli Goldstar beer, and (for me anyway) pretending to watch the soccer game-which Italy won in a landslide. After the game ended, we headed back home for the night, and I spent a good hour laying in bed listening to some noisy pigeons who apparently are indigenous to the other side of my window. Typical! Peace and serenity has to deplete eventually. I'm now prepared for Tel Aviv!