March 15 - throughout the day
I didn't put a time for this entry because I'll probably be adding to it as time permits throughout the day. We had to check out of the rooms at 11, so I didn't have a chance to post anything before leaving with all the packing and redistribution I had to do.
My friend Ori came to the hotel again today so we could hang out and see some sights before it was time to head for Tel Aviv, so Ori and Rick (who had trouble with his room key and got left by the group going to the mall) and I headed out. Ori is a gracious host and kept loading us up with cool new things to eat. I couldn't begin to tell you what all the stuff was called! But we went by several places we didn't get a chance to on the tour, like the beautiful valley of En Karem. Apparently the appeal of the place hasn't escaped the notice of Realtors and buyers... Ori told us houses in the area go for some US$2-3 million.
From there we went to Abu Ghosh - it's a modern Arab village near Emmaus, and our tour guide mentioned it on the way out of town! Rick and I looked smugly at each other, for we had just been there. Unlike these other deprived Philistines on the bus. Just kidding, guys. :) Anyway, we stopped there at a little shop where Ori got us some Arab sweets... very odd flavors and textures, but good. And probably healthy, as opposed to most American versions of sweets. There was also a super strong coffee, flavored with an herb I couldn't pronounce. I'm not a coffee drinker so I probably couldn't appreciate it as much as some of my coffee hound compadres might, but I was glad I got a chance to try it.
We got back to the hotel in plenty of time, and Ori spent the rest of the time before we departed talking to several other members of the group. It was funny, but I think he was quite the celebrity... a local that wasn't getting paid to hang out with us!
We're on our way to Jaffa for our going-away dinner, and then on to Tel Aviv to fly out. I'm really not looking forward to the crazy security, but considering where we are, I can hardly blame them.
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