After a Servas friend in Tel Aviv had to cancel at short notice, Dena & Shai in Jaffo took us in without any complications. Not only were we allowed to stay for more than 2 nights, but we were also kindly picked up from the airport. From a family meal together to a visit to the Nova Festival memorial, they gave us plenty of time and interesting conversations.
After more than 2 years of only WhatsApp contact, we were delighted to finally meet Akab, the Druze Akab. We only met him for a few hours, but it was really interesting for us because he took us on a tour of the city and answered all our questions about the Druze. Another gap in our knowledge closed.
We also visited our friends from Servas, Dalit & Tzuki, in Kibbutz Geshur for a few hours. They also gave us a wonderful day. And we got to know other Servas members again.
We then met Claudia & Shlomi in Herzliya, where we also had a wonderful time. Nice conversations, a visit to the Apolonia Nature Park, a barbecue and sunset on Herzliya beach were further “gifts” we received from our hosts.
The warmth, friendliness, intense conversations, family involvement, new acquaintances and friends not only broadened our horizons, but also strengthened our love for Israel and its people. We felt more than welcome everywhere we went, all Servas members made us feel like family from the very beginning.
We have been more than blessed by these great experiences. We appreciate and love the spirit of Servas. Not only do we get to know wonderful people, but also “hidden secrets”, even in places we have already been.
We came as strangers and left as friends.
We had to take our return flight with melancholy – at the same time, we are already looking forward to our next vacation in Israel.
