A Day in the Golan

Two weeks ago (May 9th), Uncle Chaim rented a car and took my friends and I on a day around the Golan. We visited a Golani base, went to Har Bental and had a fabulous barbecue at the Kinneret. And of course we can't forget the raucous sing-a-long on the car ride home.

This is a very nice email Chaim wrote about our day:

I took the day off yesterday and went north with Laura and three friends. The objective was to visit Avi and give out water bags but because of a large military exercise that he was involved in we were not able to visit him. But we made the best of the situation, Leon made contact with the base of Golani 13, a place that Yashar gives generously and they welcomed us onto the base and gave the girls a tour of the new personnel carriers that this unit in particular has. The girls sat in the carriers and were explained how things work. The sergeant made sure that the girls got cold drinks.

A chayal boded (a lone soldier) actually from russia met with us and explained his part in the operation of the personnel carrier. The girls asked many questions. Laura has developed a good grasp of Hebrew, she understands alot and can get her point across. She really picks up fast.

After the army base we made our way to Har Ben Tal, a look out with a commanding view of the Golan Heights. Here the Syrian border is only a few miles away. On Ben Tal there is a bunker where the girls wandered about. We preceded south west toward the Kinneret where we set up a campsite for a BarBa Q on the the waterfront. The girls helped me put together a festive dinner. It was a lovely evening to be there. Laura had a great time and so did her friends. They all enjoyed the VIP treament, Leon's efforts to make sure the girls got an inside look at the Golani base helped make it a successful day.

Thanks Chaim for a really memorable day!