Sar-el Experience: Kalbot Meshugaot

Last week we volunteered for the IDF (Israeli army) in Mahane Ishay, a base in East Jerusalem.  On Sunday, busses took our two groups to different bases (the other Ashdod group got to go to basically the Lebanon border where they heard amazing stories about the capture of IDF soldiers while standing where they were taken and overlooking towns run by Hezbollah).  Our time spent on the base felt pretty much like sleepover camp.  We stayed in rooms with bunk beds and had a 15 minute trek to the dining hall.  We had to participate in typical "army life" including presenting our unit (Kalbot Meshgaot aka Crazy Bitches) to our commanding officers, physical labor (lifting heavy things and crawling on the ground army style), and discipline (like running or doing push ups if we were late to something), but nonetheless the week was a lot of fun.  Our madrichot/commanders were two 19 year old girls (who in my opinion reminded me of mini versions of our Oranim coordinators) that were a blast to hang out with and definitely made our time at the base more fun.  It also didn't hurt that the food was pretty decent, complete with fresh avocados and chocolate milk in a bag.  Also, the majority of our "work" consisted of playing with tanks, seeing what fun things we could find in the warehouses, and trying to look badass in our uniforms while taking pictures.
Our daily schedule was:
6:45 AM - wake up
7:30 AM - breakfast
8:40 AM - flag raising
9:30-12:00 - work (cleaning tanks, organizing warehouses, some people worked in the kitchen)
12:00 - lunch
1:30-4:30 ish - work
4:30-6:30 - rest
6:30 - dinner
7:30-8:30 - evening activity
after activity, go to the store on the base, socialize with soldiers, play cards, learn dances, etc.

Although I have zero desire to ever join the army, this was an amazing experience, one I'll most likely never experience again.  It was fun being in the uniforms and learning army stuff, but I could not imagine doing this for years.  I have learned about the army and the soldiers that have been captured like Gilad Shalit before our time at Sar-el, but being on an army base and learning about all this while it is relevant at the moment and having soldiers talk to us about it really made me appreciate and understand what was being spoken about.  Also, hearing first hand stories about life in the army made me appreciate the things they do for Israel and the safety of the people here.

Unfortunately, as hard as I may have tried, I was unable to steal the uniform even though I really wanted the shirt.  One of our madrichot, Michelle, said she would send me army stuff which I plan on holding her to.  We also didn't get boots to wear except for one day when we stole them but then kinda got in trouble and had to return them, but thankfully we got some pictures with them before returning them.  Maybe I'll try and get some boots from Michelle too...they were pretty cool.  Also, the other group got dog tags but we didn't so hopefully I will get that too because I want one with my name in Hebrew!  All in all, besides from taking us away from our normal boring school volunteering, Sar-el was an amazing experience.

On a sadcan'tbelievethisishappeningalreadynote, we only have 15 more days of volunteering in our school. 1 month and 1 day before the program is over.  And I'm flying home on the 27 of January.  WEIRD.

P.S. There was supposed to be this huge storm in Israel this weekend which is good because Israel desperately needs rain and water especially after the horrendous fire in Haifa last week, but it hasn't rained in Ashdod yet.  We've just had this crazy intense wind that has the waves going crazy and they are giant.  The worst part about it is that I have to wear a stupid skirt to the stupid religious school I work in and my legs are so cold!

~ Lindsey (or Bagels as my nickname was in the army, no real reason at all)

Happy Hanukkah!

made out of balloons at the mall!

Candlelight - The Maccabeats