Although the main goal of our exchange program was not the extracurricular part, these programs provided a very important context to our visit to the school itself, and they will definitely also stay with us for a lifetime. First and foremost I must mention our first day in Las Vegas, when I made a day trip to the Grand Canyon, organized so smoothly by Alan and Glynis. Despite our jetlag, despite the long bus ride, despite the snow and cold weather, it was a beautiful, truly meaningful experience for all of us. Having the first glance of the magnitude and beauty of the Grand Canyon, I experienced one of the most deepest spiritual moments of my life, which to me gave yet another layer to the meaning of the traditional blessing of “ose maase bereshit” (“who creates the acts of the bereshit / beginnings”), traditionally recited when seeing a natural wonder. After our first breathless and speechless minutes, we all had great fun, liberated by the place itself – laughing, jumping, making hundreds of photos and videos. The trip and the experience provided a wonderful warm-up and start to the meaningful week ahead of us. ~ Szonja
