Friday night’s agenda included taking a picture – near water, of course – with our host family. I didn’t take a photo with the whole family, rather Aviv and I took one on Friday night at Shabbat dinner. We went to the pool in her kibbutz with around 40 of her family members and friends from the kibbutz. I was expecting to have a stereotypical Shabbat dinner: wine, challah, and prayers, but that’s not at all how it was. It was a very casual cookout with the kids playing in the pool and the adults just sitting around it talking. This setting made me feel really comfortable because it reminded me of gatherings back in America, other than all the Hebrew around me. Aviv and I sat with about 7 of her cousins and friends and talked the whole night. There were some times where they talked in Hebrew and I just smiled and nodded, while adding an occasional laugh when the other people laughed so I looked like I knew what was going on. The other times, though, were spent with them asking me dozens of questions about America and then comparing my answers to life in Israel. They were so interested in things I considered small parts of my life and that was honestly so cool for me to see. They could not wrap their heads around the fact that I have 2000 people in my high school, but that’s the norm for me. Having a night where I got to talk to Israelis during one of their typical cultural activities was an unforgettable experience for me. Taking photos is the best way to remember these kinds of experiences. While the blogs are a good idea, I think having pictures will do a better job of putting the images and feelings from that moment back in my head. I’m so glad I’ve taken so many pictures this trip because years and years from now, I’ll be able to look back on the amazing time I’ve had with all these people who I’ve gotten so close with over this time.