By Israel Hoffman, Mitzvah Corps Israel Participant, Bus 11
As I write these words, I am presented with the breathtaking Israeli landscape. In less than a day, I have been able to discover a gorgeous variety of plants, architecture, and topography. Israel provides for so many different types of plants, allowing me to see both pine-like trees and palm trees in the same area; both kinds of pants requiring such different climates and needs. While I look out of my bus window I’m awestruck. In such a short time, I’ve seen so many new things that I couldn’t have expected, and I can’t approach describing this feeling. Accompanied by this emotion of sheer shock and happiness, sorrow has made an appearance. Throughout my ride I have seen a constant stream of minefields and crumbled ruins. We were taught about the Six-Day War and how much damage ensued as a result. Our group then hiked through the Golan Heights, learning more and experiencing the correlation between pain and beauty; trudging beside gorgeous ruins while learning the story beside them. Due to merely one day on this trip, I have learned more about Israel than I ever have in emotional, interesting, and meaningful first hand experiences.
