Today was our last full day with the Holocaust Survivors. After breakfast, we headed to Ostroda Lake, where our friend Piotr took small groups for a tour in his boat. While one group enjoyed the beautiful Polish scenery, the other spent time checking out the small shops in town, and of course, sipping cappuccinos by the waterfront.
It was bittersweet to ponder how our relationships have grown during these eight days, all the while realizing that in the morning we will part company with these Israeli strangers-turned-friends. Tonight we shared our last evening meeting together. We exchanged many gifts and expressions of gratitude, shared with both laughter and tears. And we danced. And danced again. The Hava Nagilia may never be the same. Neither will we.
(On a personal note, I experienced my first international birthday, highlighted by the Holocaust Survivors singing the traditional Russian birthday song. I will never forget this day!)
~ Sonya
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