I went to Israel in July to see family and hang out with my cousin. My cousin, a 28-year old computer engineer, managed to get all 10 days of my trip off from work. We did a lot of random stuff, so I'll just list everything out in completely nonsensical and unchronological order, as usual.

1. Went to Haifa to see the Bahaii Gardens and ride a cablecar. The gardens are on the side of a hill and are the most lush gardens I have ever seen.
2. Ate a lot of shawarma. A lot as in every other day. The shawarma in Dallas just isn’t the same.
3. Went hiking somewhere outside Jerusalem after the trail closed but also after my cousin was able to convince the guard to let us in anyway.
4. Manage to not get blown up (it’s not really not as bad as the media makes it seem. Don’t believe the hype. The country isn’t self-destructing).
5. Went to a lot of bars and pubs. Drank and danced.
6. Went to Hertzliyah beach twice and Tel Aviv beach twice.
7. Got completely sunburned at Tel Aviv beach. But not the time I stripped down to my boxers and jumped in the sea without sunscreen. I got burned when I wore sunscreen.
8. Avoided Jerusalem.
9. Discovered that lawyers have a worse reputation in Israel than they do in the US.
10. Met a lot of amazing people.
11. BBQ'd hamburgers, hot dogs, and shishkabobs in a park.
12. Went to Yafo, one of the oldest port cities in the world.
13. Embarrassed myself with my broken Hebrew on a daily basis.
14. Was informed my glasses were out of style and that I ought to get some new ones (I did. Once back at home. They’re cool).
15. At my uncle’s home-made falafel.
16. Gorged on humus.
17. Did I mention that I ate a lot?