An Army-Like Experience

About a month ago, I went on a special school trip called "Gadna" ,that took place in Sde Boker. In this trip high school, students get an opportunity to experience a whole week through the eyes of soldiers, serving in the Israeli army. I would like to tell you about the special experience I had on that trip.

When we got to Sde Boker, we were divided into small teams of about 15 students each, and each team had its own commander. Our commander was very strict and she seemed emotionless and apathetic. In spite of that, all of us felt that there was a kind person under that tough act. The strict discipline and the harsh military atmosphere made the experience very difficult. It made me extremely home sick and I had a terrible time in the first day.

As the week went by, I gradually started to adapt to the discipline, the atmosphere and our commander. The experience turned out to be very enjoyable and educational. For instance, we got to feel like real soldiers, sprawling on the ground and ducking make-believe grenades thrown by the enemy. In addition, we attended fascinating lectures about the Israeli army’s ideology which helped me solve some conflicts I had, regarding joining an army that was made in order to fight and harm.

I must admit that at first, I was terrified to go on that trip. I tried all I could to get away from it, but I ended up not regretting it at all. It gave me a pretty good taste of what my years in the army would look like. I believe that every Israeli student should go on such a trip, adapt to the harsh discipline and atmosphere, and become much more prepared to serving the Israeli army.

Excellent work!
(100)
Daphna

Complaining About An Organized Trip.

4 Ha'avoda Street
Holon
Feburary 11, 2010

Manager
Utopia Tours agency,
47 Ben-Gurion street
Tel-Aviv

Dear Sir/Madam,
Two months ago I went on a trip to Russia, organized by your company, and I was deeply dissatisfied with the experience. I wish to complain about your service and the misleading information I was given in your website.

First of all, I was very disappointed with the hotel you have chosen. The rooms were dirty, the service was bad and the hotel itself was located in a dangerous looking area . The praises about the hotel, that were written in your website, were exaggerated and far from the truth and I feel like I have been unfairly misled by them.

Moreover, I found our guide to be disqualified. He was very impatient and moody, and he had a noticeable lack of people skills. In addition, his explanations were not comprehensible and I could sense that he had no passion for his job, nor enough knowledge about the fascinating history of Russia.

All in all, the hotel you have chosen was preposterous and your guide has made the tour much less interesting and exciting than it could have been. Therefore, I would appreciate a refund for the trip and I urge you to publish a more accurate information in your site, so that other costumers will not be misled as I was.

I look forward to a prompt reply.

Sincerely yours,

Richard Fish

Very good.

(95)

Daphna