new yeara

Hello ! Shana Tova everyone.. First of all I want to tell you how happy I am that I didn't get lost and I found my way ALL the way to Haifa. It was a three hour long journey and I did it!!! The train was packed full of soldiers and their huge duffel bags and guns, so there was no where to sit but I studied my hebrew book that mom got me on the way. Haifa is absolutely gorgeous; the rolling hills, sparkling ocean,quaint neighborhoods, and a famous garden. Aviv's parents are incredible. They took my out to lunch when I got there to a place that is known for the best humus in Israel. It was amazing, and then they took me to a place for desert and got this weird baked cheese cake with orange sweet sauce(i forgot what its called, apparently its very famous).Then they took me to an amazing view of Haifa, one of the highest points overlooking the ocean. You can even see Lebanon faintly in the distance. Then all of Aviv's family started coming over. A couple of her cousins from the army, her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, and some random guests came it was really cute. Most of them spoke English pretty well but not comfortably, they tried to communicate with me but for most of the dinner everyone was babbling away in Hebrew. The coolest thing though is even when  I didn't understand the language, as soon as we started praying  I could sing along and didn't feel like such an interloper anymore.The food was ammmazzinnng. I didn't realize there were so many courses, though, and when all of the appetizers came I got full off of that and couldn't eat the main course. The appetizers consisted of salads, kafilta fish, potato berekas, meats, veggies, fish, egg salad, breads, etc.. how was I supposed to know there was more? The table was filled with about 15 different dishes. I couldn't eat any more when they brought in rice, chicken, and here comes the worst part.... they knew I was vegetarian so they made me my own mushroom filled pastry thing. :( I felt so bad because I literally would throw up if I ate any more! But wait, its not done. After this they bring in a meat pie and made me my own brocolli pie!!! :( I couldn't eat it but I took it home with me to my apartment. And of course, they made dessert honey cake that I couldn't eat. Later that night Aviv took me to a bar in town and we met up with some of her friends from the Scouts. This morning when I woke up they made breakfast for me, and I was going to take a taxi home because the buses are all closed, but the parents insisted they drive me home! It took an hour and a half I felt so, so bad.They are the nicest people. I felt bad for how much they went out of their way for me by cooking and driving me back, and just as I was about to get out of the car, they gave me a grocery bag fulll of fruits, pop, and veggies for our apartment. They did so much for me that I felt embarrassed. But wait. Theres more. When I came to their house and gave them a present for having me(a box of chocolates and a note), the dad gave me a present right back! It was a nicely wrapped box full of soaps,lotions,perfumes, etc! He said, "Merry Christmas" when he gave it to me. Haha.
Well, peace and love. Shana Tova love you all