Bus "Fun"!

The bus system in Israel is the largest in the world. This is because while most large cities have a public bus system, the main bus provider here, Egged, serves the entire country. There are hundreds of routes that criss-cross all over. Usually the buses are half full of Israeli soldiers carrying automatic weapons, either going or coming to their base, so in a way you have a an armored escort!


Maggie and Levi are becoming experts on the public transportation/bus systems.  I don't think I rode a bus until I was an adult but these kids are figuring out bus routes and tranfers to travel all over Jerusalem. They can tell you where and when a bus picks up, where to transfer lines, and learning how to wait!  Remember, we don't have a car, so most of our traveling wherever we go, consists of buses, trains, taxis', Dolmus (Turkish mini-buses) or just plain walking.  Emma (10) is now requesting her own bus card so she can keep one in her wallet. 


The other day we were riding the bus home and Zoe (4) went straight to the back.  She likes to sit back there because the seats are higher and she can see out the window. Lily (6) sat quietly next to her. I had to stand up by the stroller with Miles. Only five minutes into the bus ride, Zoe had the whole back 2 rows of teenagers and adults intently listening to her. She was telling them all about herself and our family.  She had explained that we lived on a boat and then went into all her favorite movies. She then began to quote funny lines from each one. I was laughing and I was nervous at the same time!  Sometimes you never know what she might say.  I could hear people laughing at her from where I was standing. Guess what........we were the last stop..........It was a long ride home.  ;)  


~Rachel

Hezekiah's Tunnel

One of my favorite things in Israel is Hezekiah's Tunnel. It is located in the city of David, near the Old City in an Arab neighborhood . Hezekiah's Tunnel was dug to get water to the city when Israel was under attack by the Assyrians. you can read about it in 2 chronicles 32, in the Bible. The Tunnel is a long, narrow, under ground cave you hike through. It is full of cold water up to my waist only at the beginning and end. The rest of the tunnel the water level it is only at my ankles. It's pitch dark and you must have a flashlight. if you don't bring one you have to buy one at the front check-in. They are 4 shekels each. Which is about 1 American dollar. I have hiked it 2 times with my family and friends and I still want to go again. It is so much fun :) 

~Emma~

Homeschooling abroad part II "no books"

OK,  so I addressed the issues I have faced home schooling abroad concerning books in my last blog, but what about schooling with no books?  Can it be done and what options are there?

Recently Maggie enrolled in an online school for some extra classes while we were hanging out in Israel.  This seemed to work out great.  She only needed the computer and time!  She took a Spanish course and a Baking 101 class. She loved it!  There was every class available to choose from.  Anything from Math to Art courses. She was able to log on any time of the day and work at her own pace.  This was also nice for me because it gave her someone else to be accountable to.  She would do her lesson on the computer and then test at the end of a unit.  She would then wait for the teacher to correct and grade her then email/post her results.  This particular school would send a certificate at the end of the class.  This might be helpful for college if you needed the records. There are many online schools now and  this can be done anywhere. This might be a good option for older kids if you have consistent internet.  It would definately be one I would choose. 

I need to remember that this incredible journey we are on has been school in itself, without books. When we moved to Costa Rica they had automatic "Spanish Immersion". Actually every country we have been in has been a language immersion in itself. We are learning basic vocabulary in every country, and learning to recognize different alphabets.  So far we have had introductions to Spanish, Greek, Turkish, Russian, Hebrew, and "British English". Levi is getting good at remembering and figuring out familiar words that he hears a lot. Maggie seems to have a knack for figuring out alphabets.  She was reading most words in Turkey and Greece before we left.  Ever tried shopping in Greek? You can double your time in the store trying to figure out what is what!


Speaking of shopping,  this brings up money and exchange rates.  Our children have now been exposed, taught and educated in Greek, Turkish, and Irsaeli money.  Which by the way is...the Euro, Turkish Lira and the Shekel. They have had to learn the exchange rates in every country. Non-stop math going on in your head at all times. Some days after shopping my head hurts! The other day Lily (6) saw a U.S. quarter and said "What kind-of money is this?"


We are learning geography and cultures up close.  Not only identifying and becoming familiar with these countries on a map but experiencing them. They have rode a camels in the Turkish desert, eaten a Turkish Kofte and a Doner Kebap, and bought spices in the Turkish Bazaar.  Not to mention swam in the Sea of Galilee, eaten an Israeli Felafel, and touched the Western Wall, in the Old City, during Sukkoth.


This is just a touch of what they are learning just by traveling. In all these things, I know it is giving them independence and confidence just to try new things and problem solve.  They are experiencing things that so many kids will never get a chance too...I am grateful for this opportunity and this is part of the reason we took  on this adventure to begin with.


So there you have travel-schooling at it's finest!


~Rachel

Highlights of the past year ~

We are now getting close to sailing away again in the spring. Which will bring more places and more memories.  I like to look back and remember all of our favorite things this past year...so I asked for highlights and favorites among all the family members.  Here is what we came up with........

Lily and Zoe are the same vote because whatever Lily says...Zoe says!

Greece-

Favorite Island                                                    Favorite food

Dad - Leros                                                 Dad - Greek Salad

Mom - Rhodes                                              Mom - Gyro

Maggie - Kalymnos                                       Maggie - Apple soda

Levi - Kalymnos                                           Levi - Iced coffees

Emma - Kos                                                 Emma - Gyro

Lily & Zoe - Leros (it had a jump castle)          Lily & Zoe - Pizza (jump castle)

Turkey -               

Favorite Place                                                     Favorite food

Dad - Ephesus                                             Dad - Pimento olives

Mom-Caccidocia                                           Mom- Wraps and village bread

Maggie - Istanbul                                         Maggie - Apple Tea

Levi - Gomisluk  (just kidding Levi)                 Levi - Baklava

Emma - Kas (Sea caves)                                Emma - Doners

Lily & Zoe - Izmir (went to the zoo there)        Lily & Zoe - Turkish Delight

Israel - 

Favorite place                                                      Favorite food

Dad - Hebron                                               Dad- Hummus / felafels

Mom- Dead Sea                                            Mom - Dates

Maggie - The Old City                                    Maggie - Donuts at Hannakah

Levi - Zion Square                                         Levi - Shwarmma

Emma - Hezikiah's Tunnel                               Emma - Shwarmma 

Lily & Zoe - Beach (any)                                 Lily & Zoe - Pitas

The biggest highlight for everyone last year was adding Mr. Miles to our family! :) We love you big boy! :)


Can't wait to see next years list!