After I had served two months at Sar El at a base where I had a great experience in 2001, I wanted to try something again and also where I could practice the Hebrew I had learned over the last couple of years.

 

Pamela suggested that I go work in Beersheba in a care home, named "Avot Hanegev" Mishan. Since I had seen most of Israel and not that much of the Negev I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

 

 

                                                                             Sophia (on right) enjoyed working  at Avot HaNegev Mishan.

 

When I arrived I was stunned by the beauty of the building and gardens. It was big and clean. The people were very friendly. The food was the best and so tasty. I got a great place to live. A neat room and a little kitchen with fridge and bathroom. There even was a TV for me to use. I didn't miss out on anything.

I was free every afternoon. My room got cleaned once a week and supplied with fresh towels. I could not have found a better place. On my days off I took the bus to the Dead Sea and tried out all the Hotels. I also stayed at Ein Gedi in a Hostel and hiked around the place and dipped in the spring.. From Beersheba you can go in all directions. You just have to get up early on your days off. At Mishan I mainly worked on one floor where the people needed support. My job was to bring them to their activities, take them outside, to Bible studies, English lesson, their room, to the Dr. or hairdresser, whatever. 

The management is fabulous and they go out of there way to please everybody. There are so many things one can do. It's like being on a cruise ship without the sea! They have everything one needs. They have nurses, workers, helpers and some young girls who are serving their as an alternative to regular Army service. They also can use some volunteers. It was a great experience for me, as everybody was my teacher. I got treated so well.

 

(Above:) The staff  includes nurses, workers, helpers and those doing national service.

 

It happened to be my birthday while I was there and I had bought some, chips, ice cream, chocolate and some other goodies. I never thought that instead they would surprise me!  The workers, Almira, Judith, Miriam, Luda, Berta, Sima, Varda en Mirta had put their money together and bought me a beautiful silver chain with a pendant. So lovely, I got tears in my eyes. They had gathered everybody around and really made it a good time for all. Orit, the social worker, gave me a T-Shirt with Mishan in Hebrew written on it, from the management. I was very surprised. Varda surprised me also with a wonderful top and Judith with a nice lotion and hand cream. I never expected any thing like that.

I met nice people at the dining room table. Hella  had bought me a big chocolate. She knew I was a chocoholic. I really got attached to the folks here and I also will be sad when I have to leave. All you have to do is give them a big smile and meet all their needs. It has not always been easy and without any Hebrew I think it would have been really hard for me as well as for the people. They tend to get frustrated if they don't understand what you are saying. Or what they are trying to convey. But a little extra touch or a friendly word goes a long way. I just put myself in their place and thought about what I would want. Each one is different and you have to try to keep to the middle road. That's why the different activities, singing, stories, painting, dancing etc. brings them all together and it makes them happy.

We should never forget that the seniors are worth a LOT. They have SILVER in their hair. GOLD in their teeth, STONES in their kidneys, LEAD in their shoes and GAS in their stomach! 

There are also six computers for us to use, which for me is just marvelous. I could catch up on all my messages. 

I planned to go to Avdat, then to Mitzpeh Ramon, stay in a Hostel and the next day go to Solomon's caves, which are all in the South. I took the bus at 5:30am to the Central Station to catch the bus to Avdat at 6:00am. Although I was the first to arrive I could not get on. A lot of soldiers (About 3 bus loads) returning to their duties arrived and there was only one bus. They almost killed each other trying to get in.  I had never seen anything like that. The next bus was 2 hours later and the same thing happened again. I changed my mind and went to the Dead Sea instead via Arad. It was an interesting road through hills and valleys and some dangerous curves and the view you get when you arrive at the Sea.

Last week a friend took me to Avdat by car. We had a great time looking at the old city and Ein Avdat, a spring. There were may be 20 school kids taking mud baths with all their clothes on. They looked like they came from another planet. We ate at a goat cheese place. A little restaurant with a view and two tents which looked like Bedouin tents. They sat on the ground with carpets and a black frayed top. It looked very cozy though. They also had nice apple pie and peppermint tea. It was in the middle of nowhere. We saw a sign and followed a small sand path. I find it always interesting to see something different. Without Nechama I would have never been there. It's needless to say that my time here has been well spent and I will look back at it with pleasure. Now that the people know that I am leaving soon, they give me little presents like chocolate etc. They are so sweet. If I would volunteer again with Sar El I would surely pick this place. Lehitraot!!!