Friday, July 16th

Everyone slept well. We, unlike most on the trip, are pretty time acclimated already.
Up early because we had to be "on the bus" -always our biggest "tour group" nightmare phrase- at 8:30. A hotel buffet breakfast is included and what a breakfast it is. If only we could get up in time to really enjoy it! The top of Marc's (dried fruit, nuts, fruits, breads, fig jam.....) and Emily's (cucumbers, olives, tomatoes-yes for breakfast-) horseradish. Wonderful yogurts.
Then on the bus at 8:30. We head south to Rehovot. Looks much more built up (since 27!!) years ago? We visit the Ayalon Institute, which is much more interesting than it sounds. It was an ammunitions factory that was secretly built and operated between the end of WWII and Israel's independence. It operated underground a kibbutz for 3 years in total secrecy. Some of the people who worked and lived on the kibbutz didn't even know what was going on under the kibbutz bakery and laundry. Very interesting. Then we went up to Tel Aviv and visited Independence Hall and learned about the establishment of the Jewish State in 1948. It is a passionate subject here, obviously, and the guides convey that with gusto...pretty moving.
We then had the afternoon on our own. We visited an open air market (Em bought a beaded bracelet) and we had lunch on the mall. Back to the hotel for resting and swimming (Deb only!). The pool is salt water and so refreshing. It is about 90 degrees so the water felt so great.

Now we are getting ready for Shabbat. We are meeting in the lobby (there is that dreaded phrase again) in about 10 minutes to drive to Jaffa. A drumming circle is planned and then a late dinner on a rooftop there. Kabbalat Shabbat.
More on that later.