lots to say

Wow,
So I had an interesting week. I just got back from a 4 day hiking/camping trip where we went from the Mediteranean to the Kinneret (the width of Israel). I think it was between 60 and 70 kilometeres. It was quite exciting and among other things I learned that while I enjoy hiking, I hate camping. Anyway, despite the cliches and metaphores about crossing Israel, there was some "spiritual" aspect of finally reaching the Kinneret. I think that our group did bond a lot on the trip, which is nice because its been a month and I still felt like I didnt know some of the kids from Weber.
Anyway, we spent the weekend in Tzfat, a religious city in the North. It was very relaxing and I went to a Sephardic service for Friday night which was held in a very beautiful shul. Saturday I went with some kids to a park to read and relax and I also observed a debate between a religious teenager (maybe 18 or 19) and one of our madirichim about why religious Jews dont serve in the army. The madrich (named Rammy) served in the Lebanon war in '06 and was in an elite paratrooping unit and he got very upset during the debate because he feels that all Jews should serve in the army and he does not really understand religious Judaism. He also got upset when the other guy made a comment that equated studying in a yeshiva and fighting in Lebanon (in that they both are serving Israel). I spoke to the kid myself a little bit after but I, and the other kids there, decided that he was not the most educated of religous Jews and that one cannot base an opinion of Charedim off this one kid. But it was still an interesting talk.
Then on Sunday we went to a kibbutz and met with an Israeli-Arab who told us about his daily life and how he feels that Israel mistreats Arabs and minorities in general and how he is discriminated against. While he does not condone the bombings from Hamas he said that he certainly understands thier fight and what promts them. He also said that if there was a two state solution he would not move to the Palestinian state (understanably because Israel is an already established country with an functioning economy and infrastucture). My problem with speakers like this is that I never know what to believe. He said that he pays higher taxes because he did not serve in the army. But hten on the bus Alan (our teacher) told us that that is not true and that taxes are not based off the army. So I'm a little lost. I think that Israel is a Jewish state, but that minorities should be treated equally. But its hard to know just how much discrimination is going on, because I dont know who to believe.
The last interstring man that we met with was a Jew who lives in a city next to an Arab village. THe city is surrounded by an electric fence because a few years ago there was a terrorist attack. The man said that he hates that it has to be the Jewish town that gets the fence, but that he accepts that its the only way to be safe. He also said he thinks that there will never be peace in the Middle East. I disagree. Even if it will take years and lots of negotiation, I think peace is possible. I think going into the situation with a negative attitude wont help anyone and nothing will get better. Why is everyone fighting if they dont think there will be an outcome?

Anyway, as you can see the week was quite interesting and had some very thought provoking moments. Other than that I am trying to figure out where to go to college, any advice you have would be helpful. This week we are going to Eilat, which I am excited for, and then spending four days of fake Israeli military basic training. I hope I survive. After that is break which I am really excited for. I just need a week away from the campus and the bad food.