Wow! We can’t believe TJJ day 2 is already coming to a close. Our names are Elysa and Bessie and we just had one of the most fun and limit testing days ever. We started our day hiking mt arbell which tested our abilities mentally and physically. When we were in a position of being fearful or scared we really felt that we could turn to our bus who is starting to feel like our family. They really supported us and and we supported them to get through and finish the hike. We both struggled with having to climb the side of the cliff with only a metal line that we were holding to keep us safe, but we did it and we are proud! Once we got to the end of the cliff we had a well deserved ice cream treat and that’s when we realized that Israel has ice cream at every corner you turn. We got back on the bus and when we were siting we realized our day was just starting when we found out we still had a busy day ahead of us. We stopped to have a fantastic lunch of two mini burgers and fries. Once we were done lunch we were on the road again. We went to an amazing view at kibutz Misgav Am which was exactly in the middle of the Middle East. we were surrounded by Syria and Lebanon. We were able to speak to some paratroopers that were staying and guarding the area. We asked them questions about the army and their life and we realized how much strength you need both mentally and physical to be in the army. We also spoke to Aryeh, a man who served in 4 wars, and he shared his views on Zionism and the IDF. Then We arrived at Kfar Blum, a kayaking river which connects to the Jordan river. That part of the day was super cool! We were in a raft with 6 people and went with the current of the river to a mini water fall. We never expected that we were going to like it but at the end we were asking to go again! The cold water was so nice with the heat and we were just enjoying something so simple but, because we were in Israel, it made it so much more enjoyable. After we arrived at the dock we headed back in the bus where we both fell asleep and we woke up back at the hotel! It was truly an amazing day that we will never forget!

-Elysa & Bessie