Druze village with host family. And 6 pianos.....

Saturday 2/7/15
    Today was the warmest day of the trip.  Temperature was in the high 70s.  One more day of good weather and then cool weather and rain is predicted.
    Our host family took myself and another volunteer on a driving tour of 2 Druze villages.   I did not learn much about the Druze community.   The women wear a large white head covering, but it does not hide their face.   The men wear smaller white caps.   They appear to be industrious, many serve in the military and on the police force.   The villages are high on the hills, surrounded by olive groves and other agriculture.  The towns and streets seem crowded but peaceful.
      We made a brief  stop to look at a few stalls in the market  area for a quick purchase.  Our hosts are not browsers...  Then a longer stop for leisurely lunch in the village.  Food was tasty, exotic, nicely presented and most not spicy, so I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The pita bread was fresh baked and delicious, as is all the bread in Israel!
    This evening we went to a concert of 6 pianists and a few soloists on vocal.  They performed in a theatre that seated about 1000 people for 2 hrs and 15 minutes with no intermission!  They were wonderful!
   It feels like I have been away from home for a long time, however each day provides great variety and my respect for this complicated, dynamic country continues to grow.  Thinking of you all , dealing with the challenging winter weather, and wish you well!