Emerging from the narrow streets and alleys of the ancient city of Akko, my jet-lagged birthright group heard shouting and cheering coming from above. Once we heard the splash, we knew something was up. We looked up into the sun and saw a group of young Israeli boys standing on top of the old sea wall, which had to have been 30 feet high. Then one of them jumped. Then another. By the time I got my camera out, they realized that a few dozen American tourists were watching their escapades. They began motioning towards us, as if they wanted something in return for the entertainment they were providing us (perhaps for one of the girls in our group to show some skin?). I reluctantly turned my back on the jumping boys and we ascended the stairs that led to the top of the sea wall. From there, I caught the above photo, which turned out to be more dramatic than my initial idea.

Near the end of my trip, I spoke with an Israeli soldier who insisted that Americans, in general, are too uptight and need to learn how to relax. Although I agree completely, I don’t think I’d go as far as jumping off a 30-foot high sea wall. This difference in stress levels seems to relate to the different lifestyles that Americans and Israelis lead. Relative to their circumstances, I think that Israelis are happier, more relaxed people because they are exposed to extreme pressures that most Americans never feel. While many of us go to college after high school, all Israelis must devote 2-3 years of their lives to their country. More on that topic later.

Photo Credit: Nick Fradkin