Day One: kibbutz, Ceasarea, Baha'i Gardens

On the first day, we stopped by kibbutz, one of the community-run farms, for brunch. I’d read that the kibbutz had become so financially successful in Israel that it was starting to tear them apart: now that the communities brought in money enough for necessities and more, disagreements were arising over how to spend the surplus. If you don’t have much money, it’s easy to choose to spend it on food. If you have extra, it’s harder to decide buying stocks versus a new car versus anything else.

 I don’t know anything specific on how this kibbutz was run. It was a pretty site of low white buildings and greenery, but we met few Israelis. 

Next up was the amphitheater in Ceasarea (below photo),  once a notable Roman seaport.

Then to the Baha’i Gardens. At the time, I’m not sure we knew much about the place besides that it was holy, lush, and immaculately maintained.  This garden, I read in my guide book, was made to mark the tomb of a Baha’i spiritual leader.