For the ceremonial cost of a mere 25 shekels, I went with the ulpan North to visit
Zichron Ya'akov, where we learned about the history and origins of the town, its establishment and significance in Israel's development. Our first stop was
Ramat HaNadiv (which translates to the Heights of the Benefactor), the beautifully manicured gardens are still maintained by the Rothschild Family and is the final resting place of Baron Edmund de Rothschild. The gardens themselves cover over 17 acres of parks and pathways with an additional 1,000 acres of park land surrounding it. On the entrance to the parks the Rothschild family crest (today it would be more like a family logo, if ever there was such a thing) displays five arrows, each representing the Rothschild sons.
After touring the gardens and enjoying rubbing my thumb and forefinger around a series of herbs grown therein to appreciate their respective smells, our spunky, young Israeli guide, Birkatya (God's blessing) starting providing us with some color on the town of Zichron Ya'akov, marking my first official tour in Hebrew. She also took us by one of the wineries (next time I'll have to come up here for some more wine adventures as it is right in the heart of Israel's vineyards) where we made a toast to our new start in Israel and enjoyed some local red. After touring the town a bit, some of my fellow immigrants who hail from Ethiopia invited me to sit with them for lunch - the best invitation I had received in a while. Ever since Mama Desta closed in Chicago, I have been
missing Ethiopian
ingera and food. Flavorful and filling! Just before leaving Zichron, I passed a restaurant's sign that seems to have locations around Israel, providing food and laughter for all. The mix of the Hebrew font, the Thai city and the Chinese cuisine for "Chiang Mai Chinese Restaurant" provide one enough fodder for some light laughs and conversation.
We continued touring in the area, the next highlight surely being the visit to the 'Acqueducts Beach,' called such because of the Caesarean acqueducts built parallel to the coast line. Just North and South of Caesarea are, in what might be tough to disprove, Israel's finest beaches. Clean sand and water and typically a decent ride in the waves can be found. A pretty fulfilling way to end the day's mini-adventures.
After touring the gardens and enjoying rubbing my thumb and forefinger around a series of herbs grown therein to appreciate their respective smells, our spunky, young Israeli guide, Birkatya (God's blessing) starting providing us with some color on the town of Zichron Ya'akov, marking my first official tour in Hebrew. She also took us by one of the wineries (next time I'll have to come up here for some more wine adventures as it is right in the heart of Israel's vineyards) where we made a toast to our new start in Israel and enjoyed some local red. After touring the town a bit, some of my fellow immigrants who hail from Ethiopia invited me to sit with them for lunch - the best invitation I had received in a while. Ever since Mama Desta closed in Chicago, I have been 
missing Ethiopian ingera and food. Flavorful and filling! Just before leaving Zichron, I passed a restaurant's sign that seems to have locations around Israel, providing food and laughter for all. The mix of the Hebrew font, the Thai city and the Chinese cuisine for "Chiang Mai Chinese Restaurant" provide one enough fodder for some light laughs and conversation.
We continued touring in the area, the next highlight surely being the visit to the 'Acqueducts Beach,' called such because of the Caesarean acqueducts built parallel to the coast line. Just North and South of Caesarea are, in what might be tough to disprove, Israel's finest beaches. Clean sand and water and typically a decent ride in the waves can be found. A pretty fulfilling way to end the day's mini-adventures.
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