Option Week 2 - The Amazing Race

After our stay in Jaffa Tel aviv we were placed on to the bus and sent north to Haifa. We were all very excited on the way to take part in the amazing race. Once we were arrived, we learned the rules of the race and were given our teams and our team colours.

The race began in the rain with a foot log race where teammates had to work together and walk in sync unless they wanted to fall over. From then on we participated in many challenges and activities throughout the race. This consisted of posing in photos, stacking cups in order to build an Eiffel Tower, separating different Chinese delicacies using chopsticks, breaking and cracking codes, visiting an Italian hospital were we had to recreate a Godfather scene, compete in an army combat obstacle course, and finally race to the finish in the middle of the city square. At the end of the first day we were all very tired, wet and proud of getting to the finish line that most celebrated with an aroma beverage. After the end of Day 1 we jumped back onto the bus and headed to Tiberias where we would stay for the next 2 days-remainder of the race.

It was now day 2 of the amazing race and we arrived at the start location where we were told that we had an opportunity to get a 2 minute advantage if we won the challenge. We were given bubble balls where we had to fight other teams and knock them out of the circle (fighting area). After that the race would begin with the order of the previous days positions with one of the teams getting a 2 minute advantage to what they originally were going to start at. The first checkpoint was to climb a playground triangular rope obstacle and then go on the flying fox behind it where we would get our first clue. The rest of the day involved activities such as memorising a speech, picking up garbage, advertising an ancient synagogue from the Talmudic times, memorising a Hebrew song and sing it, find a Scottish hotel and perform a Scottish dance, find a mosque and perform the dance, and finally sprint with all left over energy to the red carpet finish line.

Later that night as something seperate from the amazing race we had a cook off competition where the entire amazing race group was split up into two teams and would cook seperate dinners and would be judged on which dinner was better. It was delicious. After dinner there was an option to go back to the hotel or walk along the streets of Tiberias and explore its night life. However, everyone had a very important day ahead of themselves with the final day of the race to come that would decide the winners.

Day 3: the last day. Everyone was very energetic despite how tired we were from the previous days of hard running and thinking since everyone wanted to win today out of all the other days. The day started with an activity seperate from the race where we helped paint a classroom and plant trees in the garden. The work done was incredible with incredible artworks along the wall and a beautiful garden outside. It was our way of giving back to the community of Tiberias. We then began the race. Day 3 the finale included activities where we went to the fruit markets and as an activity had to buy fruits, we had to memorise a drumming melody on exercise balls and then sprint to the final finish line where the winner would be announced and everyone would conclude the incredible or should I say amazing race.

By Zac