Only Day One and I know it’s Going to be an Amazing Four Weeks!

Chelsea Wellmer writes:

Just graduated from high school and coming to Israel on my own, I was a little more than nervous, but once I arrived in Tel Aviv and found one of the local hostels I realized how many people were actually involved in Megiddo and how friendly each and every one of them were.  None of my friends really understand what I’m doing, they just think I am paying to do manual labor, but while I uncover the remnants of people from thousands of years ago they’ll just be relaxing back home on SoCal beaches, something they can do almost every day of the year (I definitely got the better summer vacation if I say so myself).  My first night in Tel Aviv I realized that never have I fell in love with a city so quickly, and I was more than a little disappointed with myself for not arriving in Israel a few days earlier to explore some more.  Needless to say, when I finally met the bus to depart for the kibbutz a feeling of excitement just overwhelmed me.  I’ve been in archaeology digs before, but the forests of North Eastern Ohio are a far far far cry from Israel.  I don’t think I have ever been so happy to be covered in so much dirt and sweat!

Here’s how my day at the site went:  I was assigned to Area J and instantly informed that I had been assigned to the most physically grueling area and that my supervisor was a little crazy (Matt if you’re reading this…..well I’m not sorry, it’s completely true and you know it).  Within Area J I was sent to J low which from my understanding is a temple.  I wish I could tell you more, but halfway through the day some of us had to stop working and move to a different location because the sun tarps didn’t provide enough shade for the section we were excavating in.  I felt almost awkward and homeless having to run around and help out in whichever sections they needed me, so hopefully by tomorrow I’ll be back in my own square with plenty of shade to go around!  It was a long day of bucket lines and dust, but there’s an odd sense of satisfaction when everyone boards the bus covered in the obvious signs of a hard day’s work with layers of dirt covering almost everyone’s arms and legs.

After arriving back at the kibbutz to eat lunch and take some much needed showers, all the newbies went back to Megiddo for a tour of the area and a little bit of a history lesson.  I know for me and many of the people I talked to, the highlight of the tour came at the very end when we went down into a 300 foot cavern dug out to bring water into the city.

Do I have any real regrets?  Only one.  I’m missing July 4th back home in the States, but everyone is making up for it by having a party on the kibbutz!  I know for sure that I have an amazing four weeks ahead of me, I just can’t wait to see what happens next!