Heather's Harmony

My Absolute Favorite Restaurant in Kauai, Hawaii

One of my very favorite things about traveling is making it the most unique/genuine experience it can be.     

 

What does that mean?

 

- Local shops with local products, independent companies that aren’t watered down with convention & mass consumer appeal.

- Local restaurants that utilize what their community offers before opting to use imported ingredients that dilute the local flavor & economy.

- Local companies that encourage preservation of their environment & maintain their landmarks.

- Local people, who are passionate about where they live & strive to bring out the best in themselves & their community. Many companies are run by family & close friends and they treat you like you are too!

These qualities are abundant in Kauai, Hawaii and helped to further instill the importance of local & indie support in myself. Lappert's Hawaii is an ice cream & coffee shop that has an inspiring story of how one couple made their dreams of relocating to the island come true. Another company I just couldn’t resist to visit is the restaurant 22 North located on Kilohana Plantation which also provides some shopping, luaus & train ride tours.

Our two-acre farm produces the vast majority of our fruits, vegetables and herbs, while also taking advantage of all that Kilohana Plantation offers, such as fresh lychee, papaya, and apple bananas. Our chef takes stock of the daily farm pickings and pairs them with locally grown meats and island fresh fish dishing up interesting flavors that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Come and enjoy our farm fresh eclectic cuisine early in your stay on Kauai so that you’ll have time to come back for a second visit. You won’t be disappointed.

We visited the plantatioin around lunch time just before they were closing before preparing for dinner so I would recommend paying attention to your time of arrival so you don't miss a meal! It was so difficult to choose what I wanted because it was all so unique and each had a twist that isn’t available anywhere else. I finally decided to try their fried green tomatoes, I’ve never had them before and the description read,

local green tomatoes, cornmeal crust, romaine, amber jewel tomatoes, red onion, buttermilk-chive dressing

How could I go wrong?

I'll tell you how, by not making sure I made it for their sunday brunch, if you're heading to Kauai soon (Amanda, thats directed at you:) make sure you plan sunday brunch at 22 north!

That’s right – loose-fitting clothes. Between the Pancake Station, and the farm fresh eggs and breads used to make the variety of Eggs Benedict offerings, you’re simply gonna need a little wiggle room. And that’s before you’re even able to waddle over to the Parfait Station, or sample some of Chef’s famous Homemade Sausage. Don’t say we didn’t warn you about the loose fitting clothes.

When I return to Kauai, you can be sure to see me first in line on Sunday morning! Just know that 22 north is not a secret and it gets busy, make sure to reserve a table, which can also be done online!

What about dessert?

Because their menu is made from the products available mostly on the plantation and are dependent on the season their menu changes often. They also make their desserts the same way so you never know what delicious treat they could have but you can always be sure they’ll have a bag of doughnuts ready for you! Yep, that’s right! One of their specialties is a bag of homemade doughnut holes, hot & ready for your taste buds to devour!

 Editors Note: I apologize for not having any photos in this post, it seems cruel in a way. Add it to the list of lessons since committing to travel blogging, but be assured when I return to Kauai I will be returning to 22 North and will be sure to take photos of all the food I can get my hands on!

My Absolute Favorite Restaurant in Kauai, Hawaii

One of my very favorite things about traveling is making it the most unique/genuine experience it can be.     

 

What does that mean?

 

- Local shops with local products, independent companies that aren’t watered down with convention & mass consumer appeal.

- Local restaurants that utilize what their community offers before opting to use imported ingredients that dilute the local flavor & economy.

- Local companies that encourage preservation of their environment & maintain their landmarks.

- Local people, who are passionate about where they live & strive to bring out the best in themselves & their community. Many companies are run by family & close friends and they treat you like you are too!

These qualities are abundant in Kauai, Hawaii and helped to further instill the importance of local & indie support in myself. Lappert's Hawaii is an ice cream & coffee shop that has an inspiring story of how one couple made their dreams of relocating to the island come true. Another company I just couldn’t resist to visit is the restaurant 22 North located on Kilohana Plantation which also provides some shopping, luaus & train ride tours.

Our two-acre farm produces the vast majority of our fruits, vegetables and herbs, while also taking advantage of all that Kilohana Plantation offers, such as fresh lychee, papaya, and apple bananas. Our chef takes stock of the daily farm pickings and pairs them with locally grown meats and island fresh fish dishing up interesting flavors that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Come and enjoy our farm fresh eclectic cuisine early in your stay on Kauai so that you’ll have time to come back for a second visit. You won’t be disappointed.

We visited the plantatioin around lunch time just before they were closing before preparing for dinner so I would recommend paying attention to your time of arrival so you don't miss a meal! It was so difficult to choose what I wanted because it was all so unique and each had a twist that isn’t available anywhere else. I finally decided to try their fried green tomatoes, I’ve never had them before and the description read,

local green tomatoes, cornmeal crust, romaine, amber jewel tomatoes, red onion, buttermilk-chive dressing

How could I go wrong?

I'll tell you how, by not making sure I made it for their sunday brunch, if you're heading to Kauai soon (Amanda, thats directed at you:) make sure you plan sunday brunch at 22 north!

That’s right – loose-fitting clothes. Between the Pancake Station, and the farm fresh eggs and breads used to make the variety of Eggs Benedict offerings, you’re simply gonna need a little wiggle room. And that’s before you’re even able to waddle over to the Parfait Station, or sample some of Chef’s famous Homemade Sausage. Don’t say we didn’t warn you about the loose fitting clothes.

When I return to Kauai, you can be sure to see me first in line on Sunday morning! Just know that 22 north is not a secret and it gets busy, make sure to reserve a table, which can also be done online!

What about dessert?

Because their menu is made from the products available mostly on the plantation and are dependent on the season their menu changes often. They also make their desserts the same way so you never know what delicious treat they could have but you can always be sure they’ll have a bag of doughnuts ready for you! Yep, that’s right! One of their specialties is a bag of homemade doughnut holes, hot & ready for your taste buds to devour!

 Editors Note: I apologize for not having any photos in this post, it seems cruel in a way. Add it to the list of lessons since committing to travel blogging, but be assured when I return to Kauai I will be returning to 22 North and will be sure to take photos of all the food I can get my hands on!

The Best Ice Cream in Hawaii

If there is one lesson I’ve learned from traveling it’s that ‘what will be, will be’ and ‘all things have a way of working themselves out.’ While rock climbing with an old friend he mentioned a trip to Kauai, Hawaii but wished he could find someone to go with, a day later I booked my ticket and started researching Hawaii’s oldest island.

I instantly fell in love with the island of Kauai & one day will return, hopefully for longer than a week, which is exactly what inspires most new businesses and entrepreneurs on Kauai, the desire to return on a more permanent basis. One example of the many who have made their dreams of staying come true is that of Walter & Mary Lappert.

They returned to the island several times on vacation wishing they could stay, until one day they got a not so good ice cream cone and inspiration struck! Since then, they have opened several Lappert’s Hawaii ice cream & coffee locations. The friend I was traveling with was the first to suggest we give Lappert’s a visit and I, of course wasn’t going to say no!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The worst part of the whole experience is trying to choose which of their amazing flavors you want to try! I am a terrible decision maker so I got three scoops of three different flavors and I do not regret it. While my friend got a bigger amount of one we both knew we wanted and ended up sharing all of them! I would recommend on visiting more than once or getting a few flavors to taste!

We wanted to try the most local or unique options and ended up choosing some of the following flavors:

Kona Coffee- There are several coffee plantations on the island and I recommend taking a tour, you’ll appreciate the ice cream that much more for it!

Kauai Pie- Kona coffee with fudge, coconut, macadamia nuts and vanilla cake crunch.  We had to try the flavor named after the island right?

Lychee- This is a fruit that I knew nothing about & figured it was about time I educated myself. It doesn’t have a strong flavor, sweet and simple. You can also find it as a flavor for shaved ice around the island.

The beauty & spirit of Kauai is inspirational all on its own but what has really stuck with me is all the amazing people I met. Most of whom, visited the island several years prior and couldn’t ignore the call to return, thus each of them have found their own unique way to contribute to the island life and that kind of contagious passion is an abundance on Kauai.

For those of you living in the United States & West of the Rocky Mountains, Lappert’s offers delivery from their website! Guess who’s ordering some right now!

The Best Ice Cream in Hawaii

If there is one lesson I’ve learned from traveling it’s that ‘what will be, will be’ and ‘all things have a way of working themselves out.’ While rock climbing with an old friend he mentioned a trip to Kauai, Hawaii but wished he could find someone to go with, a day later I booked my ticket and started researching Hawaii’s oldest island.

I instantly fell in love with the island of Kauai & one day will return, hopefully for longer than a week, which is exactly what inspires most new businesses and entrepreneurs on Kauai, the desire to return on a more permanent basis. One example of the many who have made their dreams of staying come true is that of Walter & Mary Lappert.

They returned to the island several times on vacation wishing they could stay, until one day they got a not so good ice cream cone and inspiration struck! Since then, they have opened several Lappert’s Hawaii ice cream & coffee locations. The friend I was traveling with was the first to suggest we give Lappert’s a visit and I, of course wasn’t going to say no!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The worst part of the whole experience is trying to choose which of their amazing flavors you want to try! I am a terrible decision maker so I got three scoops of three different flavors and I do not regret it. While my friend got a bigger amount of one we both knew we wanted and ended up sharing all of them! I would recommend on visiting more than once or getting a few flavors to taste!

We wanted to try the most local or unique options and ended up choosing some of the following flavors:

Kona Coffee- There are several coffee plantations on the island and I recommend taking a tour, you’ll appreciate the ice cream that much more for it!

Kauai Pie- Kona coffee with fudge, coconut, macadamia nuts and vanilla cake crunch.  We had to try the flavor named after the island right?

Lychee- This is a fruit that I knew nothing about & figured it was about time I educated myself. It doesn’t have a strong flavor, sweet and simple. You can also find it as a flavor for shaved ice around the island.

The beauty & spirit of Kauai is inspirational all on its own but what has really stuck with me is all the amazing people I met. Most of whom, visited the island several years prior and couldn’t ignore the call to return, thus each of them have found their own unique way to contribute to the island life and that kind of contagious passion is an abundance on Kauai.

For those of you living in the United States & West of the Rocky Mountains, Lappert’s offers delivery from their website! Guess who’s ordering some right now!

What else to do at Four Corners other than lay down and take a picture?

The Four Corners Monument is pretty much in the middle of no where, which makes it perfect if you're already on the road and ready for a break and a fun novelty stop. However, going to Four Corners has been on my bucket list for years and as the time approaches for me to leave the US and travel the world I realized I needed to start knocking out all these little nearby things I've wanted to see and do. In a matter of 2 1/2 days I think my friends and I spend a good 12-15 hours in the car, and the monument itself might seem a little anti-climactic.

 Take a less conventional photo, where others may not take the time to stop.

I decided to take advantage of every photo op I could get my friends to agree to and in retrospect I am really glad I did, I appreciate my friends being so willing and easy going. This was my first "trip" after starting this blog and knowing that I wanted to share it here made it a lot easier to spot fun pictures.

I know everyone goes to take the typical 'look I'm in four places at once photo' and honestly without explaining or already knowing what Four Corners is, some people might not know why we are laying on the ground looking so pleased with ourselves. So I figured we should take one in front of the welcome sign that clearly states where we are. 

Eat the local food, since the monument is actually located in Navajo nation so naturally there is yummy fry bread and Navajo tacos that we just couldn’t resist… it’s the culture right?

Nate was really excited about his Navajo Taco and it was seriously delicious! I highly recommend taking a sit down to enjoy the delicious local foods! When I was in college I had a roommate who came from Native American heritage and she used to make us fry bread all the time. Which they also make at four corners and comes with some dessert toppings for those with a sweet tooth. 

We were there on a pretty slow day so not all of the little shops selling jewelry, trinkets, arrows and other memorabilia were open but there were a few and I even found hand carved Christmas ornaments. I had secretly hoped they would have some but didn’t want to get my hopes up and wouldn’t you know it they were unique and absolutely gorgeous!

The lady who hand carves these ornaments, pottery and other hand made items also has a pottery website here named, Yabeny Pottery. She was very kind and helpful!

I'm so happy with my ornament, its handmade, made from local product, sold by the artist independently, states where & when I was there and even has her company name.

Everything I love in the treasures I'll have forever!



Have you ever been to four corners? What was your favorite part?

What else to do at Four Corners other than lay down and take a picture?

The Four Corners Monument is pretty much in the middle of no where, which makes it perfect if you're already on the road and ready for a break and a fun novelty stop. However, going to Four Corners has been on my bucket list for years and as the time approaches for me to leave the US and travel the world I realized I needed to start knocking out all these little nearby things I've wanted to see and do. In a matter of 2 1/2 days I think my friends and I spend a good 12-15 hours in the car, and the monument itself might seem a little anti-climactic.

 Take a less conventional photo, where others may not take the time to stop.

I decided to take advantage of every photo op I could get my friends to agree to and in retrospect I am really glad I did, I appreciate my friends being so willing and easy going. This was my first "trip" after starting this blog and knowing that I wanted to share it here made it a lot easier to spot fun pictures.

I know everyone goes to take the typical 'look I'm in four places at once photo' and honestly without explaining or already knowing what Four Corners is, some people might not know why we are laying on the ground looking so pleased with ourselves. So I figured we should take one in front of the welcome sign that clearly states where we are. 

Eat the local food, since the monument is actually located in Navajo nation so naturally there is yummy fry bread and Navajo tacos that we just couldn’t resist… it’s the culture right?

Nate was really excited about his Navajo Taco and it was seriously delicious! I highly recommend taking a sit down to enjoy the delicious local foods! When I was in college I had a roommate who came from Native American heritage and she used to make us fry bread all the time. Which they also make at four corners and comes with some dessert toppings for those with a sweet tooth. 

We were there on a pretty slow day so not all of the little shops selling jewelry, trinkets, arrows and other memorabilia were open but there were a few and I even found hand carved Christmas ornaments. I had secretly hoped they would have some but didn’t want to get my hopes up and wouldn’t you know it they were unique and absolutely gorgeous!

The lady who hand carves these ornaments, pottery and other hand made items also has a pottery website here named, Yabeny Pottery. She was very kind and helpful!

I'm so happy with my ornament, its handmade, made from local product, sold by the artist independently, states where & when I was there and even has her company name.

Everything I love in the treasures I'll have forever!



Have you ever been to four corners? What was your favorite part?

snapshot saturday: Tradition Edition

I love traditions! I have to admit the adjustment from living at home as a teenager and living on my own as a young adult has helped me realize how much I love traditions and so I’ve started to make my own traditions. However I’ve also realized that traditions take commitment and so I’ve learned a few tricks to selecting which traditions I want to keep and some that just didn’t make the cut. 

These are three tips I like for deciding which traditions you want to maintain throughout the years to come.

1) Sentiment goes a long way. Traditions with a personal or sentimental value are more likely to last through the test of time. Otherwise it will get easier and easier for those participating to lose interest and the drive to fulfill the traditions year after year.

I collect ornaments for my Christmas tree when I travel. Now when I decorate my tree each year I remember all these amazing places I’ve been, who I was with, what I did the day I bought it and the stories behind the trip. It’s a fun and useful way to collect souvenirs and gives me something to look forward to during the sometimes lonely holiday season.

2) Not every tradition needs to be major. Include ‘little’ traditions like reading a book Christmas morning, watching a certain movie during the holiday season.

Each Thanksgiving day I watch the friend’s episode ‘with all the Thanksgivings’. Its about 30 minutes long and just what I need to get myself mentally ready for the day.

Another small tradition I have is to listen to River - Sarah McLachlan (Wintersong) - Watch more Videos at Vodpod. when I decorate my Christmas tree. It started from watching You've Got Mail and Meg Ryann talks about this song (the version by Joni Mitchell but I much prefer Sarah's version!) as she is decorating her tree and how much she loves and misses her mother and hangs a silver ice skate ornament. While visiting Minnisota I found a silver ice skate ornament and just had to get it! Can you see it in the picture above? (It's on the far right a little more than half up the tree)

3) Create flexible traditions. Maintaining traditions can be stressful especially the more stipulations you add and defined you make it. Instead of committing to something on a certain day (if the sentiment allows) opt for traditions that can adapt to your schedule each year.

I have made the tradition to watch White Christmas and Meet me in St. Louis during the holiday season. That way I don’t feel obligation on a given day or event & thus I can enjoy the tradition more when I get the craving for it. I've got an old soul, I just melt at the sound of Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. (just to name a few)

I stumbled upon an article called Family Change: Don't Cancel the Holidays! on Psychology Today where they discuss the importance of having and maintaining traditions. They talk about how traditions mimic cultural traditions, but on a smaller scale. The community can be comprised of a myriad of family, friends, co-workers ect. and we create a sense of identity from our traditions and the community they create. When traditions end it can affect our psyche and can often bring a sense of loss.    

Without being a huge downer I will say I have definitely felt this, some of my favorite traditions have been lost in the shuffle of life and it breaks my heart a little (I'm wildly sentimental) so I’ve made sure that when I commit to a tradition, I make sure its one I can maintain and will be able to incorporate in my future… whatever and whoever that may include.

Happy holidays to you & yours!

snapshot saturday: Tradition Edition

I love traditions! I have to admit the adjustment from living at home as a teenager and living on my own as a young adult has helped me realize how much I love traditions and so I’ve started to make my own traditions. However I’ve also realized that traditions take commitment and so I’ve learned a few tricks to selecting which traditions I want to keep and some that just didn’t make the cut. 

These are three tips I like for deciding which traditions you want to maintain throughout the years to come.

1) Sentiment goes a long way. Traditions with a personal or sentimental value are more likely to last through the test of time. Otherwise it will get easier and easier for those participating to lose interest and the drive to fulfill the traditions year after year.

I collect ornaments for my Christmas tree when I travel. Now when I decorate my tree each year I remember all these amazing places I’ve been, who I was with, what I did the day I bought it and the stories behind the trip. It’s a fun and useful way to collect souvenirs and gives me something to look forward to during the sometimes lonely holiday season.

2) Not every tradition needs to be major. Include ‘little’ traditions like reading a book Christmas morning, watching a certain movie during the holiday season.

Each Thanksgiving day I watch the friend’s episode ‘with all the Thanksgivings’. Its about 30 minutes long and just what I need to get myself mentally ready for the day.

Another small tradition I have is to listen to River - Sarah McLachlan (Wintersong) - Watch more Videos at Vodpod. when I decorate my Christmas tree. It started from watching You've Got Mail and Meg Ryann talks about this song (the version by Joni Mitchell but I much prefer Sarah's version!) as she is decorating her tree and how much she loves and misses her mother and hangs a silver ice skate ornament. While visiting Minnisota I found a silver ice skate ornament and just had to get it! Can you see it in the picture above? (It's on the far right a little more than half up the tree)

3) Create flexible traditions. Maintaining traditions can be stressful especially the more stipulations you add and defined you make it. Instead of committing to something on a certain day (if the sentiment allows) opt for traditions that can adapt to your schedule each year.

I have made the tradition to watch White Christmas and Meet me in St. Louis during the holiday season. That way I don’t feel obligation on a given day or event & thus I can enjoy the tradition more when I get the craving for it. I've got an old soul, I just melt at the sound of Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. (just to name a few)

I stumbled upon an article called Family Change: Don't Cancel the Holidays! on Psychology Today where they discuss the importance of having and maintaining traditions. They talk about how traditions mimic cultural traditions, but on a smaller scale. The community can be comprised of a myriad of family, friends, co-workers ect. and we create a sense of identity from our traditions and the community they create. When traditions end it can affect our psyche and can often bring a sense of loss.    

Without being a huge downer I will say I have definitely felt this, some of my favorite traditions have been lost in the shuffle of life and it breaks my heart a little (I'm wildly sentimental) so I’ve made sure that when I commit to a tradition, I make sure its one I can maintain and will be able to incorporate in my future… whatever and whoever that may include.

Happy holidays to you & yours!

How I came to spend Christmas Eve in Bethlehem

I spent my holiday break 2009 in Israel , My friend and classmate from Utah Valley University spent 2 weeks traveling through the West Bank, Jerusalem & Tel Aviv. We spent the Friday before Christmas protesting for peace & justice in Palestine and stayed in Bethlehem at the Bustan Qaraaqa permaculture farm  for quite a few days and celebrated Christmas Eve with new friends.

Even at Christmas time it doesn’t look much like Christmas in Palestine or Israel. This is because of the large Muslim and Jewish populations that most of the decorations (if any) are in businesses hoping to attract holiday tourists.

This cobblestone is located at Shepherds Field church in Beit Sahour just outside Bethlehem where many believe to be the 'Shepherds Field' where the star of Christ's birth was seen.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:8-10)

I spent a day while staying at Bustan Qaraaqa visiting the traditional Christian sites of significance which was fun for me since I was raised in a Christian religion and even though I don’t practice a religion now it was exciting to see in person the places I’d always heard about.

I had my first Christmas fruit cake ever, completely soaked in liquor and while its not something I’d go out of my way to replicate it was awfully picturesque and iconic! Which I love! I also had rice pudding for the very first time, and decided to make a tradition of it rather than the fruit cake!

I had really been looking forward to staying at the permaculture farm and it turned out to be so much better than I had been imagining. I heard about the Christmas celebration at Mangers Square located by the Church of the Nativity (believed to be the birth place of Jesus Christ) and could hardly wait to be a part of it.

We then headed out to the celebrations and even had the opportunity to get there by walking through the Shepherds Field. Sentiment and significance were layed on thick which only made me all the happier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course what is a party without some dancing? The benefit to staying at the permaculture farm is that they knew the locals and the locals love the non-locals almost as they love having a good time. By the time we got there we'd been joined by at least a dozen friends, AND while I was there my mom requested I bring her back a nativity set. how appropriate right?

Traveling Tip: Locals don't pay what tourists do; I always recommend shopping with a local or asking for referrals and dropping their name. It's almost always has benefitted me! So while I had a few around me I asked if they knew which shop I should go to, of course they knew a few shop owners and I got a smashing deal on a beautiful nativity set and my souvenir ornament.

Something to know: Because a large majority of Palestinians are Muslim there is very little advertising that has visual stimulation (quite the opposite of most anywhere else you go) so when there is skin or sexuality displayed the men flock! A friend of mine told me while she was floating in the Dead Sea she was reading a German magazine with an attractive woman probably with a little cleavage and skin showing. It’s rare to see anything like this even available in the West Bank and my friend was offered money for her magazine.  Makes for a funny anecdote and when these dancers came on stage the men were all about it and the women in the crowd were all about laughing at the men. Now isn’t that how it usually goes? Notice all the cameras on the right side? haha

I've learned that the weight of experiences like this keep me going. I daydream about other moments like this and relish in the memories I've made.

How I came to spend Christmas Eve in Bethlehem

I spent my holiday break 2009 in Israel , My friend and classmate from Utah Valley University spent 2 weeks traveling through the West Bank, Jerusalem & Tel Aviv. We spent the Friday before Christmas protesting for peace & justice in Palestine and stayed in Bethlehem at the Bustan Qaraaqa permaculture farm  for quite a few days and celebrated Christmas Eve with new friends.

Even at Christmas time it doesn’t look much like Christmas in Palestine or Israel. This is because of the large Muslim and Jewish populations that most of the decorations (if any) are in businesses hoping to attract holiday tourists.

This cobblestone is located at Shepherds Field church in Beit Sahour just outside Bethlehem where many believe to be the 'Shepherds Field' where the star of Christ's birth was seen.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:8-10)

I spent a day while staying at Bustan Qaraaqa visiting the traditional Christian sites of significance which was fun for me since I was raised in a Christian religion and even though I don’t practice a religion now it was exciting to see in person the places I’d always heard about.

I had my first Christmas fruit cake ever, completely soaked in liquor and while its not something I’d go out of my way to replicate it was awfully picturesque and iconic! Which I love! I also had rice pudding for the very first time, and decided to make a tradition of it rather than the fruit cake!

I had really been looking forward to staying at the permaculture farm and it turned out to be so much better than I had been imagining. I heard about the Christmas celebration at Mangers Square located by the Church of the Nativity (believed to be the birth place of Jesus Christ) and could hardly wait to be a part of it.

We then headed out to the celebrations and even had the opportunity to get there by walking through the Shepherds Field. Sentiment and significance were layed on thick which only made me all the happier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course what is a party without some dancing? The benefit to staying at the permaculture farm is that they knew the locals and the locals love the non-locals almost as they love having a good time. By the time we got there we'd been joined by at least a dozen friends, AND while I was there my mom requested I bring her back a nativity set. how appropriate right?

Traveling Tip: Locals don't pay what tourists do; I always recommend shopping with a local or asking for referrals and dropping their name. It's almost always has benefitted me! So while I had a few around me I asked if they knew which shop I should go to, of course they knew a few shop owners and I got a smashing deal on a beautiful nativity set and my souvenir ornament.

Something to know: Because a large majority of Palestinians are Muslim there is very little advertising that has visual stimulation (quite the opposite of most anywhere else you go) so when there is skin or sexuality displayed the men flock! A friend of mine told me while she was floating in the Dead Sea she was reading a German magazine with an attractive woman probably with a little cleavage and skin showing. It’s rare to see anything like this even available in the West Bank and my friend was offered money for her magazine.  Makes for a funny anecdote and when these dancers came on stage the men were all about it and the women in the crowd were all about laughing at the men. Now isn’t that how it usually goes? Notice all the cameras on the right side? haha

I've learned that the weight of experiences like this keep me going. I daydream about other moments like this and relish in the memories I've made.