On the First Night of Chanukah

My sister, Cheryl, and my mother planned to come visit me in Israel this winter so we have spent the past few weeks planning this vacation.

Now that they have finally come its time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. We spend the last few days in Tel Aviv exploring and relaxing and took a day trip up north but I will get back to that later. For now I just want to discuss the first night of Chanukah.

 (Dead Sea Factory)

We drove to the Dead Sea area today and picked the perfect day to do so, they weather was amazing, 80 degrees and sunny. Stopped at the Ahava center and of course we were sucked into buying some lotions. Then we drove most of the way down the Dead Sea to picnic on the beach. The weather was absolutely perfect but the water was a bit cold so we just went in a bit past our knees. Afterwards we drove to our Kibbutz hotel in Ein Gedi. This place is perfect. It has lovely, clean rooms which give you the kibbutz feel, it has beautiful landscaping with gorgeous trees, it is surrounded by views of the Dead Sea and surrounding mountains, it is not overly packed with tourist and tonight the weather was just perfect to sit outside with a long-sleeved t-shirt and scarf and be perfectly pleasant. 

 

(chanukiah made out of coffee beans)

My mom, sister and I went to light Chanukah candles in the lobby this evening and there were other people gathering to do the same, the hotel was passing out sufganiot (donuts) and everyone seemed excited for the holiday to begin. Afterwards I went back to my room to do a bit of work. Although I was working on an article for my internship and not feeling completely free as though I was on vacation, I felt like it was the first time in a long time that I felt relaxed. What a huge contrast from Tel Aviv, where I was just a night ago. It was quiet all around me, it seemed as though the world had slowed down for the first time in a long time. I am not someone who usually enjoys alone time and silence but whatever was here tonight was perfect and I needed it. 

My cousins stayed here when they came and visited last year, Matt highly recommended it, I understand why, this is a perfect place for him.

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(Huge Tree on the Kibbutz)

I am looking forward to the next few relaxing days ahead of me and for 7 more tasty, bright, fun days Chanukah.