Burgers and Brazzlebox

As I was sitting in Otro Cinco last night for dinner, a delicious and local Spanish/Mexican restaurant (that also happens to have the BEST burgers) in my home city of Syracuse, I got to thinking about what makes it so special.

I know people that work there. The ambiance. Thursday night music. The flavors. The style. It's local.

Local. That word is thrown around all the time, and I know lots of people involved with the "stay local," "be local," "live local," world. But what does it even mean?

lo·cal

ˈlōk(ə)l/

adjective

1. 1.

   belonging or relating to a particular area or neighborhood, typically exclusively so.

   synonyms:

   community, district, neighborhood, regional, city, town, municipal,county

   
   

   • 
     
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Aside from the obvious definition above, local movements have been incredibly important in economy post 2008, in thriving cities (or, maybe even more significantly, cities trying to be revived), and in the lives of communities like Syracuse.

The impact of supporting local businesses is huge. Research shows for every $100 you spend at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy. If you spend the same $100 at a corporate chain, only $43 stays in the local economy. That's amazing to me!

This research has also led me to Brazzlebox, a free community network built by small business owners, for small business owners. Brazzlebox exists to allow local business owners to connect with one another and share their experiences, ultimately leading to more successful businesses that benefit an entire community. If you are looking to create a new business (be it another Mexican food joint - I love tacos - or an engineering firm) check out https://www.brazzlebox.com and see how they might be helpful in you building a local network of support.

And, get an Otro burger on their homemade challah bun! It's pretty amazing.

The Happiest of Birthdays!

Every single day that I live my life, I do so trying to make the world a better place; trying to make someone else’s day easier or more pleasant; and trying to strengthen my own community by just being kind. So much has changed for me in the last year, despite the day-to-day. I’m living where I did not think I’d be living. I’m employed where I didn’t think I’d be working. I graduated from college. I’ve surprised myself with my own capacity, conviction, and commitment. I’m living independently. I have become more confident. I am a true adult – and beyond what it means to just be another year older.

In the midst of so much change, one thing has remained the same: I have filled my life with meaningful, wonderful, and loving people. I am so lucky to have such supporting and incredible friends and family in my life. Great people are not just people you stumble upon. Great people stick with you. They continue to be there, even when you’ve forgotten to call or say hello over a length of time. Great people go beyond expectation and continuously surprise you. I’ve been so fortunate to surround myself with individuals who are caring, and smart, and talented. And, in their own unique ways have helped me grow and become a better version of myself.

Exactly one year ago tomorrow, I was touched more deeply than I have ever been touched before in my life. Every single day, I have access to and use an amazing laptop computer – a gift that so many of us take for granted. However, I have never taken this materialistic piece of machinery for granted. Every time that I open it, I am flooded by the warmth and compassion of so many dear friends and family members – people who I may not have spoken to much since, but whom I still sincerely care about. While reading this, you may think I am being overly sappy or cliché – but I genuinely appreciate the thought so many people put into making such a modest and unimportant birthday one of the most memorable in my life.

One year later, and I am still in such awe of how Samantha Poccia pulled this off! Thank you again, endlessly.

Adam Cohen
Alise Fisher
Alyssa McKinley
Amanda Balch
Anne Marie Suchanek
Ariel Norling
My dad, Bill Walton
Chelsea Orcutt
Chris Becker
Christine Ward
Courtney Perron
Daniel Cowen
Daniel Shuriff
Elana Bodow
Faith Zaki
Jack Jesset
Jacki Douglas
Jake Angelestro
Jenn McKay
The accomplice, Jesse Feitel
My sister, Jordan Walton
My mom, Kate Walton
Laura Dumitru
Lauren DeLeo
Lorne Fultonberg
Lyndsay Katz
Mark Sell
Matt LoDolce
Megan Miller
Michael Dubreuil
Nathaniel Berger
Patrick Tucker
The mastermind, Samantha Poccia
Sara Hussey
Stephanie Kranz
Susan Sadkowski
Timothy McGuire
Tommy Hayes
And anyone else I may have unintentionally missed or didn’t know about. Or people that didn't even know this happened!

I love you all.

One Year Reflection

Exactly one year ago I boarded a plane at Logan International Airport. I anxiously made my way through security and waited at my gate headed toward Paris, France -- my one stop between home and a semester abroad in Southern India. How quickly one year passes.

One of the criteria in my college selection was that it needed to have an extensive abroad program.  I never had the opportunity to travel outside the United States in high school, and spending a semester away was a priority of mine. When this day arrived, one year ago, I couldn't believe that dream of mine was actually coming true. The tearful goodbye -- partnered with extraordinary nerves and excitement -- exceeded my wildest expectations. The time had come. My first big adventure was beginning.

It would be cliché of me to write about how much of a difference one year makes...  

So that is exactly what I am about to do.

I have met some exceptional people, seen some incredible things, and have undergone some of the hardest and most rewarding experiences during this last year. I've flown across the Atlantic, twice. I've achieved more academically than I ever saw for myself. I have lived on my own --  with struggle and success. I have let friends come and go; I have fallen in love. I watched my baby sister graduate from high school and have shared a beer with my dad. I miss my mom. I've become more confident and less sure at the same time; I know I can do things but don't know where I am going. I've read, listened, and learned. I've become a more clearer version of myself, and (most of the time) it feels good.

So while I am not boarding a plane this afternoon, I still have a lot to look forward to. Senior year is quickly approaching, and while I won't be bathing in a bucket or walking the grounds of the Taj Mahal ... there will be plenty of challenges and exciting times ahead. One year certainly makes a difference, and I am happy to see what the next year brings me.

"Sit up and take notice, tell like it is" - SPAC Phish Shows

There are a few things to know about Jesse. He likes to talk, a lot. He is gluten and dairy free due to allergies, which makes eating out quite difficult. And, he is obsessed, I mean: OBSESSED, with the band Phish. Certainly there are other interesting things to know about him, but mainly it is the latter. That boy is in love with the four band members of Phish and would do anything to see them play live.  This past weekend marked the fourth time I saw them (obviously all with him), and I will - probably regretfully - admit that they are rather talented musicians who are fun to see play a full venue.

A Phish show is like no other experience though. Believe me. I've decided to walk you through one.

Phishheads are like no other music-fan. It is no group of screaming girls crying out for Justin Beiber or that silly One Direction band. It is no groupie type fan base that forces themselves upon the stars of heavy metal front men. And it is certainly no folk-artist sing-a-long crowd. No. Phishheads are ridiculously devoted to this jam-band-foursome, and they cannot get enough of the summer tour dates. In fact, the idea of missing a show in a series of 3 or 4 is simply unheard of.

This past weekend, July 6-8th, Phish played a three day stint in beautiful Saratoga Springs, NY at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Only 2.5 hours away from Syracuse, I knew Jesse was not going to pass up this opportunity. It being the closer weekend to a summer full of shows, he was definitely attending and I, the lucky girlfriend, got to accompany him.  Originally, I was just going to head up for the Sunday show, but the drive there and back-there and back for Jesse was ridiculous, so we ended up getting a fantastic deal on a Priceline hotel just outside Albany and made a weekend of it.  For just $37 and 25 minutes from SPAC we were able to stay near the venue and enjoy the nature of Saratoga. Additionally, the awful-after-concert-drive only had to happen once. 

There are a few things to know about Phishheads: 

(additionally known as: reasons I think they are actually a cult-group)

1. There are all these inside jokes and stories regarding lyrics, moments on stage, or the Phish-fan blog site.

2. Every major Phish fan can tell you the songs played at any given tour and how they sounded, what the band members did, and what was unreal about it. Likewise, any huge Phish fan can tell you what disappointed them.

3. Phish fans cannot dance. They are a crowd full of white people who cannot dance at all (I fit right in).

4. Even though they look homeless, Phish fans can afford the $13 beers at SPAC.

5. If you are driving to a Phish show and have Phish-related memorabilia on your car, a huge spectacle will be made while you are driving down the highway.

6. Phishheads listen to nothing but Phish. Most days but definitely on show days.

7. Phish fans get to shows HOURS early so they can dance around the parking lot, drink, mingle and check out all the cool stuff for sale that is available at every show.

8. If someone is wearing something, even if it doesn't look Phish-related, it is definitely Phish-related.

9. Phishheads must stock up on glowsticks for days.

10. Phish fans are usually really friendly, welcoming, and won't hesitate to talk about all the Phish shows they have seen and how excited they are for the series of Phish shows you are at them with.

Needless to say, they are very nice people, sometimes referred to as Wooks (check out the "Urban Dictionary" definition if you want to see for yourself!)

After a seemingly brief drive up to Saratoga Springs, Jesse and I met up with some of his Phish friends in a parking lot. Being the smart poor college students we are, we invested in a cooler and bought our food at the grocery store for the weekend. We really only needed dinner and snacks Saturday night and lunch/dinner for Sunday. After enjoying our picnic in the lot, we made our way toward the venue.  Now, I didn't have a ticket (yet) and Phishheads are known for walking around the venue with one finger up notifying everyone that they are in need of a ticket. I have always laughed at those people at previous shows, but Saturday night.. I was one of them. I did have Jesse do my bidding though. We didn't have much luck in the crowd, so we went to the box office to get our AWESOME lawn tickets. Just kidding about the awesome. 

Night One!

Our AWESOME view from the lawn

And the AWESOME guy that was screaming behind Jesse

SPAC is a really beautiful venue, located in such a pretty part of upstate NY. However, their GA lawn seats stink. They are truly awful. Probably because the venue is designed like this:

The pavilion has two levels which gives every spot on the lawn a really terrible view of 

anything but the jumbo-trons

(image taken from google-interwebz)

Take my advice: if you are interested in going to see a band you really enjoy at SPAC, splurge for the Pavilion seats. Otherwise you will be looking at the backs of the heads of sweaty fools dancing around in a dirt pile.

Needless to say, we moved at the end of the first set to a more open view of the stage. It was on the concrete, right next to the main entrance to the pavilion, but was a much clearer view of the stage. And I didn't have the constant smell of pot being blown into my face.

A much better view

At this point there are a few other things to mention about Phish:

1. They play two incredibly long sets.

2. There is no opening act. You go to a Phish concert to see them play Set I for 1.5 hours and Set II for 2 hours. There is a 30-45 minute set break in between.

3. Each song lasts 10-30 minutes. Some jams go right into other songs, and some do not.

4. Every Phish fan must throw glow-sticks at a really inspiring part of a song. In other words, when the guitarist, Trey, starts breaking it down.

5. The light show is spectacular. Truly.

Since we were staying in Albany, we took a short ride downtown and checked out the capitol complex.  Coming from a state with a modest capitol area and the traditional domed building, I was intrigued by the massive concrete structures housed in Albany. The entire legislative structure was something definitely unique to my preconceived notion of capitols. However, as a (more full-time than ever) resident of New York, it was something I enjoyed seeing.

This is just one view of the area - a huge concrete exterior ensconces the center of the complex

The Egg - located in the Empire State Plaza

Jesse explained to me that it is a Performing Arts Center and that people actually watch concerts and ballets in that odd-egg shaped concrete rock.

For the remainder of our day, before night two (which was actually night three ... Jesse doesn't like talking about missing Friday's show, which in hindsight - according to all the post-show hoopla - was the best one) we traveled to John Boyd Thatcher State Park, just southwest of Albany. We pulled off at the overlook area to hang out, walk around, and enjoy the rest of our cooler food. Although we really didn't have time to explore the whole walking/hiking area, which from pictures seems amazing, we did get to hang out around this view:

Can't beat it

The weather was breezy and perfect too

Then it was back to SPAC with a brief tour of the quaint downtown Saratoga Springs and Skidmore College, which are both insanely cute and beautiful.

The kinds of people you meet in the parking lots

Though, this is kind of cool .. you have to admit

Ready for the show!!

Just kidding- I was hungry and bought a $5 bowl of Bacon-Macaroni and Cheese on Shakedown Street

*Shakedown Street is the title of a Grateful Dead album and song. At Phish shows, it is a series of tents and vendors that line an area of a lot away from the venue. You can find all your Phish memorabilia on Shakedown Street, including: bumper stickers, t-shirts, booze, drugs, etc. You know.. the good stuff.

I simply bought Macaroni. And, I am still alive. What do you know?

Night Two!

As I mentioned before, the lawn was simply awful. So.. (even though we had lawn tickets for Sunday too) we made our way into the pavilion. Shhh, don't tell the crazy yellow-shirted-SPAC workers. Thank goodness we did.

Haha, people on the lawn

Our view on night two; trust me... it was a LOT better. My camera skills are weak, but there was so much more room to dance around (badly, of course) and see the band. For the Phishheads out there, we sat Page side, rage side.

It was great to see this fool so happy. He really does love the shows, the music, and the experience (it was his 23rd, after all...). I was happy to be a part of it with him. A great (fourth) show, for my first time at SPAC. The 2.5 hour drive home (after the concert let out at 12:30) was awful, but definitely worth the trip up to beautiful Saratoga Springs!

The Recovery Room

With all the (negative) press Planned Parenthood has received recently, especially in light of the 2012 Obamacare initiative, it could be ironic that I chose to start volunteering at my local PPH clinic this summer. Or, if you know me... that may have been one of the reasons I started volunteering in the first place.

Needless to say, yesterday was my first, independent day working at the center and, boy, was it a ride.

This summer, and potentially throughout the upcoming school semester, I will volunteer 5 hours a week at the Rochester-Syracuse Regional center (PPRSR) on Thursdays. Given the Fourth of July was on a Wednesday this year, and Wednesday is typically "abortion day," I had the overwhelming first-day experience of volunteering in the recovery room yesterday.  Without going into confidential details, it was one of the most unique work-related experiences I have ever had. It was also one of the most emotional. Containing my own rapidly flowing thoughts and feelings was difficult in front of all different kinds of women receiving surgical abortions. Contrary to political framing, there was not one type of woman going in for a surgery, but I met individuals of all backgrounds, all stages of life, and all different personal reactions to the momentous decision.

Let me begin by sharing my own personal standing, because I actually find that important to share when discussing anything related to "standing with planned parenthood." I am pro-life. Truly.  I don't like saying that is my "political" viewpoint, but unfortunately, society has made this issue a tug-of-war-political game too. Personally, I could never get an abortion. But, like many things .. I say that without actually knowing anything at all.  Although my personal position is what political gamemakers like to call "pro-life," I am also "pro-choice" because like most political spectra, I don't like people telling me what to do. I have always been a stubborn, obstinate kind of girl. I have a feeling that I don't like people telling me what to do because I am confident in my own mature decision-making. I feel secure and intelligent about the choices I make. However, that is not to say all people make smart choices. That's evident by the dumb-dumbs in society. How many DUIs, Dropouts, and bad body art are out there? Must I even ask?

That being said, the reason I "stand with planned parenthood," among other reasons I am volunteering this summer (namely to assist with my senior capstone-thesis project related to reproductive health), is because no matter how many dumb-dumbs are out there, I find it a phenomenal feat that women of my country actually have a right and an option regarding their reproductive health. In fact, even though many people see PPH as an "abortion house," that isn't the service they concentrate on most.  Mostly, PPH focuses on getting certain populations of people healthcare who wouldn't normally have access. They educate and test to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. They assist individuals in getting contraceptive devices so that women won't need to visit the center on surgery day. The point of the clinic is to provide literature and information so people, who are going to make decisions regardless -- good or bad, have the resources made available to them. Like in a classroom where you can choose to ask the teacher for extra help if you need it to improve your own grade, PPH simply provides the educator. If people are still going to make bad choices, even when resources are obviously out there are their disposal, well... human beings will be human beings.

Yesterday was definitely an overwhelming, heart-racing experience, but I know I am going to learn a lot. If anything, I am going to learn the most about myself from this volunteering experience. I think that's what makes the donation of your time that much more valuable. We'll see how the whole gig pans out; being uncomfortable while learning is what makes learning enjoyable though. If you already "know everything," what's the point in being taught something new?

A little something in my free time...

While here in Syracuse for the summer I am discovering some wonderful things that help make this a truly vibrant community. Yes, it get hot. And yes, there are still things about Syracuse that are very funky; namely, the overwhelming number of streetlights that OBVIOUSLY do not sync together on the same street. But regardless, Central New York (and Syracuse, specifically) also have some incredible people and amazing ways to get involved within the community. Who would have thunk it?!

Moreover, who would have guessed I would be involved in "Save the Neighborhood Grocery Store" movement that has taken over in a neighborhood I do not even live in?

Wegmas Food Markets, Inc. is a family-owned supermarket chain headquartered just outside Rochester, NY (that's about an hour from Syracuse, NY). The grocer was founded in 1916 in Rochester, NY and is consistently acclaimed one of the best US grocery chains; it has ranked among the top 10 in Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for eight consecutive years.

So, what's my beef with this amazing company?

They are tearing down  TORE DOWN the Wegmans located in the Northside of Syracuse. This is a major problem for a number of reasons. First, the Northside of Syracuse has a rich history embedded in culture.  Originally, this side of town was settled by German-Americans in the 19th century. Overtime, the Northside became home to all kinds of new Americans, and today in the 21st century, the neighborhood has become home to many nations representing diverse languages, cultures and ethnicities - Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Bhurma, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Eastern Europe. Why does a diverse culture (of many immigrants) matter, do you ask? Well, that brings me to the second major problem .. the people living in this area are starved for resources. Many people lack fluid incomes, access to reliable transportation, and fluent English speaking skills.  And if it is not the refugee/immigrant populations to worry about, many low-income Americans and retired people live in the Northside too. When the one grocery store providing fresh produce, meats and dairy decided to leave this poor neighborhood, they ultimately created a food desert: any area in the industrialized world where healthy, affordable food is difficult to obtain. Food deserts are prevalent in rural as well as urban areas and are more prevalent in low-socioeconomic minority communities. They are also linked with supermarket shortages in a geographic location.

This is when I decided to get involved. When I heard news of a community meeting from my friend Dan, I jumped on the opportunity to provide my resources, ideas and young social media "expertise" to the struggling community. Since that initial meeting, the group has made great progress. Although Wegmans still closed its doors on the neighborhood (as promised on: June 30, 2012) the neighborhood association has riled the press media with press conferences, numerous letters to the editor, a viral video release, among other proposals. Although I, admittedly, am not on the front of this battle, it has been wildly exciting to get to know such an interesting group of people. Seeing them work together to bring in another grocer has been inspiring.

Take a look at their work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feEVJW-GWpU&feature=plcp

And some of the media coverage: http://centralny.ynn.com/content/590226/at-least-one-proposal-submitted-for-pond-street-wegmans-site/

You can count on my own letter to the editor. It really is such a shame that Wegmans has selected this neighborhood to mess with; I think they have surprised everyone. And really... good for them.

"Neighborhood Revitalization Through Home Ownership"

Summer 2012 has brought me a really incredible internship/paid-work experience.  This summer I am interning with a local Syracuse non-profit called Home HeadQuarters, Inc. The organization is committed to creating housing opportunities throughout the underserved areas of Central and Upstate New York.  Firmly believing in their mission, neighborhood revitalization comes through home ownership, HHQ works diligently to get good people into good homes. Too many renters in an area creates for bad neighborhoods (unreliable landlords, no pride, little investment, transient families, etc.)  However, if more people were to own a home, neighborhoods could become more stable and communities could grow to rely on their neighbors.  What I love about HHQ is that they do not just put anyone in a home for the sake of giving them a place to live, professional counselors walk potential homeowners through financing, loan, lender, and home buyer courses to help them learn the ropes of first time home ownership. (really the iconic, teach a man how to fish he will eat for a lifetime mentality).  I am having a ball learning about the organization ... and as someone who thought her future was in education with an internship at Breakthrough Collaborative last summer, the urban housing crisis has really got me thinking about what I could do with my future.

Do you need a reason to think about the urban housing crisis even more?
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/30/paying-rent-on-minimum-wage/

While interning with HHQ, I'm working closely with both the Grant & Resource Development departments; they each get me out into the field frequently which is something I really enjoy.

One of my projects is called Community Level Outcomes: Success Measures.  Essentially, another girl (Jenn) and I go out into the neighborhoods 1-3 times a week and assess properties in three major neighborhoods throughout Syracuse. We look to see, aesthetically, how the properties stand the neighborhood by ranking them on a 0-5 scale (we look at the quality of the roof, gutters, windows, front door, siding/exterior wall, foundation, garage and the front lawn -- then we give it an over "quality" measure). By assessing neighborhoods in Syracuse this way, Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) is able to measure what kind of impact they are having on different blocks. Each street is then measured against other city blocks to illustrate areas in the city that are in most need of improvement. These measures can then go to city government or other non-profits as benchmarks.

I love working on this project because I get to be out of the office a lot -- not that the office isn't fun (there are a lot of wonderful people I have met at HHQ..) but, a cubical job isn't something I have really pictured in my future. This job (particularly with the professionals I am interning with) has demonstrated that cubical jobs can be very interpersonal depending on what kinds of tasks you are set to accomplish. With this project, I can interact with people in the office AND set out on foot interacting with the "every-day" folk. I am really getting to know the city I live in -- even if just to know streets and different ways to get "from here to there.."  Additionally, it is fun to be out among the people who live in these neighborhoods asking them questions and hearing their perspectives. As someone really motivated by community building, this is a very unique opportunity to put my community geography skills to good use!

My other major project is helping to organize the one big fundraiser of the year for HHQ: Block Blitz.  On September 14, 2012 HHQ takes two neighborhoods by storm by completely "blitzing" the block. Sometimes great revitalization in a neighborhood can come from updating (or sprucing up) home exteriors (though, not all the time, of course).  This event brings together volunteers from the community, major corporations, and contractors/home builders to donate their time, money and expertise in assisting a day-long neighborhood repair/fix-up! I am working on the initial stages: mailing letters to potential sponsors and building contractors, cold-calling sponsors and volunteer groups, and advertising/marketing the event. I enjoy putting on events and have some experience after my involvement with the 'Cuse Spot; I am certain this event will take a lot out of me, but the payoff will be huge!

With a unique mission, HHQ is determined to revitalize neighborhoods through home ownership. That is something I have really learned to agree with and understand. Syracuse has its rough spots, no doubts, but being out on the ground has given me greater appreciation for the place I am learning to call home.  

Study Abroad Should Be Required

A short while ago, I received an email recommending this article:
http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2012/05/20-big-reasons-study-abroad-should-be-required-today/

As someone who has had the opportunity to "study abroad" twice through university programs, I am obviously an advocate. Reading this article confirmed things I already felt toward study abroad programs. Check it out.

My New Pad

Like last spring semester, some friends and I have decided to live in an off-campus apartment. It gives each of us so much more autonomy and is much cheaper than living in the on-campus dormitories. Last spring we subletted from some girls because we all came back from a semester abroad. I am really excited to be living in the same place all year this time around. It really gives the five of us some time to make it our own.

We are renting the top-floor apartment of this house; quite the beauty, considering other housing options in the Syracuse greater-campus neighborhoods. I am really psyched, for everything but paying the rent! I'll be living with my Freshman/Sophomore roommate Samantha, my junior year roommates Chelsea (while she is here in the fall) and Laura (she will be taking Chelsea's place after she graduates in the spring), and our good friend Megan.

I moved in June 1st and have been living in Syracuse while working at my summer job here in town. I have really loved being up near the campus in the summer. Everything is much more vibrant and warm in Syracuse during the summertime. So far I have been to "The Taste of Syracuse," where they showcased local restaurants, and the Greek Festival, where I filled up on Gyros. There is a fun bar scene to enjoy downtown, and everything seems a lot more fun when there aren't a ton of frat boys roaming around campus. So far, summer 2012 has been a lot of fun.

Here are some pictures of my place, all courtesy of my roommate Samantha Poccia:

We live on the top floor apartment; we also have roof access, which I quite enjoy

One half of our living room; I'm excited for the fireplace

The other half of our living room

The dining room area off the kitchen

Our (kind of) weirdly designed kitchen; the sink is on the other side

Our bathroom; thankfully it has all new fixtures - that puts my germaphobic tendencies at ease

My bedroom!

I don't even feel the need to repaint (although I can) because it already seems like me

Israel: the captivating conflict

Air France took me on another adventure of a lifetime...

Israel's flag blowing in the breeze with a beautiful Tel Aviv Skyline behind..

From May 10-28, 2012, I had the incredible opportunity to travel around Israel with a Syracuse study abroad program. One of the countries I have wanted to visit for a long while, Israel is a really unique place; it is often categorized as the crossroads of the world. Sitting perfectly between three continents, Israel is a dynamic location with extraordinary culture, cuisine and conflict.

As it was only a two week program, I definitely did not explore every aspect of the country, but I surely got a feel for Judaism and the role Israel plays in the middle east. 

There was only a small group of nine that went on the program (from L-R: Malinda, Me, Hunter, Caitlin, Ardean, Scott, Linda (Program Leader, front), Mushi (back), Victor, and Chris).  One of the interesting aspects of this particular program is the "exchange" component of it; our group traveled to Israel for a two week program and the students we met there will be traveling to Syracuse for a three week program in late September.  It was really great getting to know the Israeli students and knowing that we will see them again in the states.  As I mentioned, this was a study abroad program -- even though it was during my summer-break from school, we still attended school. Classes were held at the beautiful IDC (Interdisciplinary Center) Herzliya campus.  We had several lectures a day all taught by different professors, each specializing in something different. Everything from: The formation of the state of Israel, Religion and Culture of Israel, Rifts within Israeli society, Global Terrorism, Hezbollah and the Middle East, Cyber-Terrorism and others.

We had some really amazing lectures from very knowledgeable people.  One class day even took us to the Knesset, which is the Israeli Parliamentary Government building in Jerusalem -- the capitol of Israel:

 I would be the only person looking away from the camera..

We were accompanied by Yoti (far right), the girl I later stayed with on my last night in Isael

We were able to get to Jerusalem twice though, which was really nice!  It was an amazing feeling to be standing in such an incredible city.  Given all that I have learned and heard about Jerusalem, being there in person was beyond surreal.  As one of the oldest cities in the world, with such religious history and purpose, it was difficult to be spending only one afternoon there - you could realistically spend more than a week in the nearly 50 sq. miles.

Part of Jerusalem's Old City

Home to the Abrahamic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Seen: The Western Wall, The Dome of the Rock, Temple Mount

Jerusalem is characterized as such a unique place, and after being there it was obvious why.  Although the old, religious city is such a relatively small place, the three major religions are all competing for the same space and recognition.  While in Jerusalem I was able to walk through the underground Western Wall, visit the Christian, Jewish and Muslim quarters (which was mostly the old, market cities), and the Church of the Holy Sepelcry (which in itself holds a lot greater meaning for the Christian faith..). After visiting all of these great religious sites, it is challenging to not understand the tremendous land-conflict occurring all over the middle east right now, and in Jerusalem especially.

Independently, as a small group, some of us decided to travel on one of our free Friday's to the Masada and the Dead Sea in south eastern Israel.  Since it wasn't built into our original schedule, some of us thought it would be a good use of time to visit this old and important landmark.  

The Masada, which is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications, is located on top of an isolated plateau on the very eastern edge of the Judaean Desert.  Overlooking the vast and empty Dead Sea, it is best known for the violence that occurred there between the Jews and the Romans in the first century.  Eventually, during the first Jewish-Roman War, the seige of the plateau by the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of all the Jews who lived there. 

The Dead Sea, which is also sometimes called the Salt Sea, is a very large salt lake holding the border between Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank.  It is Earth's lowest elevation on land, with its surface and shores 423 meters below sea level.  It is such an incredible place to be; the Dead Sea is most well known to be the lake in which you can just float.  With such high saline content, it is actually difficult to move through at times because you are so buoyant in the water. And.. believe me.. you do not want some of the water to get into your eyes.

An interesting ride to the Masada/Dead Sea through the West Bank and Palestine..

The Arab people are notoriously far less fortunate than Israeli citizens, which creates obvious riffs in an already complicated system.

On top of the Massada

Looking out toward a vast Israeli desert nothingness

We were pretty low in the Earth..

Malinda, Caitlin and I enjoyed the mud-covering portion of the Dead Sea Adventure

Apparently, your skin feels incredibly smooth after you bathe; I just felt itchy

Going with a school/abroad program allowed me to do some really unique things. The same tour guide who brought us to Jerusalem took us on a tour of the north.  We were able to visit Caesaria (an ancient seaport in north-western Israel dominated by different groups for thousands of years), Nazareth, and all the way up to the Golan Heights -- which is the disputed land area between Israel and Syria. We stood 4 miles from the Syrian border, which was beyond cool. Even though their country is going through a lot right now, being on the border in the midst of beautiful farm land and mountains put the conflict into perspective for me. This land means something to the people who live on it (or maybe, the people who want to live on it).

60 kilometers from Damascus and only 800 kilometers from Bagdad?!

Through the IDC we were also invited to hear the current Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, speak in front of the school. It was a really unique experience, and I felt incredibly honored to be there. It was a reminder that people in foreign policy are constantly traveling and meeting with others all over the world. That was confirmed when we got to meet and speak with members of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv. They told us about their career paths and how they got to serve at the level of government that they do. It was all a really enriching experience for me, and I found the passion for international affairs still lives within me.

Each day there was something new to explore. Some days it was a new restaurant or a new way to eat hummus. Often it was a new part of the Mediterranean. I even saw The Avengers in a beautiful movie theater in Herzliya. I was able to stay with one of the girls from the IDC delegation, Yoti, who will be coming to Syracuse in late September for a day. The people and country are so welcoming. It was a really incredible opportunity that I will never forget. 

And if anything.. I will go back for the mountains, the ocean, and the beautiful flowers in bloom most of the year. You have got to love (or fall in love) with the Mediterranean climate!

As my luck, my own camera broke the very first day I was in Israel. A special thanks/photo cred. for all the pictures goes to Caitlin Landers, Malinda Masing, and Chris Soldovieri.