Stranded in Jerusalem

*Note: The following was written at an earlier point in time.

    First overnight Tiyul! We rigorously climbed down Mount Gilboa for a few hours after a mini Core Class on the top.  Afterwards, we headed off to a hot spring (coincidentally the same one we went to with Davis when Mr. Asher bought us all ice-cream), submerged into the water to float around a little, and then chomped down a delectable lunch. Slowly, our excitement creeped up on us as we ventured towards Jerusalem for the first time of the trip. Upon arrival, the Madrichim instructed us to blindfold ourselves while they guided us into a "surprise location" of an overlook of the city. When we took our blindfolds off, we were sitting on benches at the "Wall of Life" at Hebrew University, gazing over the everlasting sunset across the skyline. Throughout Rona's and Reuven's stories, which referred to a man traveling to Jerusalem and the origin of the song "Yerushalaim Shel Zahav," we watched the sun lower behind them. Following that, they instructed us to engage in the typical task of writing a letter to ourself in which they would give to us on the plane ride home. We all dispersed throughout the area to collect and scribe our thoughts. After reading mine over and sealing it up, I walked back to the benches in which we were sitting. I looked around. I looked around again. Everyone was gone. 

    As a typical sixteen year old girl stranded alone in the streets across the world in the cold at night, my first instinct was to cry. Once I convinced myself not to, my second instinct was to sprint back to the bus. If you're keeping up though, you'll remember that we were blindfolded the entire journey from the bus to the benches so I had absolutely no idea where we had parked. I glided over to the exit and looked both ways down the street. There was no one in sight and I did not recognize a single aspect of the area. I wanted to stay within distance of the "Wall of Life" in case anyone returned so I went a little down the street and got excited when I saw a bus depot. Unfortunately, none of those were our bus. There was absolutely nothing in the other direction. My third instinct set in to take advantage of any forms of communication tools or resources that I had access to. I reflected on the fact that all I was wearing was chacos, leggings, and a northface during this chilly night (because we were told we were going right back to the buses) and all I had in my pockets was my camera, my letter that I wrote to myself, and a pen. During a period of about fifteen minutes, I continuously sat down on the benches, then walked to the exit, then sat down, then walked down the street, and then sat back down. After that, I decided to return to the spot in which I wrote my letter for two reasons. First, I clearly enjoyed the view and the atmosphere of my resting place so maybe it shall bring me luck. Second, I wanted to prove that I could see the entrance from my seat because I still have no idea how I did not notice the group leave. From my seat, I collected my resources and began writing out my next blog post. 

    So now we're up to present time..  usually when I write a blogpost, the series of events have completed so I know what the ending will be. It is weird that I am writing all of this down right now but I have no idea how it will end. I was talking to Matt and Emily the entire bus ride here. When they got on the bus after they somehow left the "Wall of Life" without me noticing, wouldn't they have noticed that I wasn't there? If so, wouldn't they have immediately came back for me and been here by now? I am trying to decide what the right thing to do is. I am not going to take the risk of talking to foreign strangers while alone at night, even if it is just to borrow a cellphone. Although, I did just remember that the password for the wifi on campus (which I have memorized) is one of the head people's phone numbers. I believe that staying here is the responsible choice because then they will know where to find me, even though I will not be making an effort to find them. 

    Ahh these three fourteen year old boys just biked over to me and were talking to me (if they were older, I would have immediately walked away but since they were young, I just cautiously talked to them) and they offered me some sketchy alcohol. It was weird. They won't leave, they just keep biking around in circles right next to the benches. Oh I'm gonna take a selfie and another picture of the view of the city (even though it's dark now) so then I can remember this moment. Ew I look gross. Wait, now I've used all of my resources! yay so resourceful. This is such the typical thing to happen. So unreal. Ughh my hand hurts and I don't really have anything else to say…  hopefully I won't die and this will actually end up on my blog!

*Note: The following is currently being written.

    I was saved! A little while after I terminated my blogging, Michal came running towards me, crying and screaming my name. Of course, crying is contagious so that was slightly emotional. Rona came running up behind her and they hugged me tight and then motioned me into a taxi. They began to explain that everyone noticed I wasn't on the bus and they told the Madrichim but then Hadar counted twice and he got the right number of students on the bus so they figured I was just in the back. Once they arrived at the Rabin Youth Hostel, where we were staying for the night, they discovered that I was actually missing. In total I had been alone for a little under an hour but now I was safe and sound! but scared to embarrassingly be referred to as, "the girl who we left." Michal and Rona immediately began calling people while we drove across town in the taxi. It turns out they had called the police! When Michal called to tell them that she found me, they said that they were very impressed that I stayed in the same spot and they said that it was the right thing to do. Upon arrival to the hostel, basically every single person attacked me with hugs which was embarrassing but comforting. We ended up having a relaxing and silly night in the hostel with everyone which was a reassuring end to an overwhelming day. In retrospect, although I should have been more responsible for myself, I really do not believe it was my fault. I was sitting right near the Madrichim, everyone later told me that they didn't say anything and they only motioned for us to leave. 

    The hectic day after my traumatic experience consisted of more hiking, crawling through caves (which the picture above is from), our first visit to the Kotel of the trip, and an evening on Ben Yehuda Street. Our Tiyul wrapped up with an interesting bus ride back to campus and then a late night full of studying for my Core Class and APUSH quizzes tomorrow. Basically, I'm exhausted -- goodnight!

with love :)