Israel 2008

Yes, our trip to Israel. It was very interesting, and I'd go again just to listen to the guide telling us the history of each area. I probably was sidetracked and too busy looking around to take in all the information he was giving. It was excellent, and our driver who could back the big bus into the smallest of parking spaces and get around all the other buses that were there as well as through the narrow streets, etc. Our leaders from Ontario and the guide from Israel were very knowledgeable and caring. Treated us like family and made sure no one was left behind. I enjoyed the food too. Lots of salads, fish, rice, soups. John liked the meats, he's not a salad person. A regular lunch meal was the "falafal" a pita bread pocket to be filled with salad and something that looked like meatballs but was made of chickpeas. They had a different flavor that stayed with you for a while. John was worried when he heard the pita would be filled with salads, but then there was a choice of having a chicken schnitzel inside instead. He was relieved! In the evenings we were always back at our hotel and had buffet style evening meals.

Dead Sea

Everyone back home asked, what was our favorite thing. Well, at first I thought, the Sea of Galilee, it was rather moving, because to think that Jesus walked on these waters and they are still in the same place. Some other things aren't where they were or it's not known exactly where they were, but the Sea of Galilee hasn't moved. But then I thought the Dead Sea was very unique, but so salty. We couldn't drink the water from the taps and when we went into the Dead Sea we were not to get the water in our eyes or mouth. John got some in his eyes, as did others, and they had to get out quick and find a towel. Then I thought the excavations at Capernaum, Megiddo, Beit She'an, Masada, Qumran were also quite interesting. To think all those things have been buried all these years.

Sea of Galilee

When we got to the city of Jerusalem, because it was the last days of our tour, I thought I wouldn't really like it there. Our first experience, we found that the bellboys were quite forward and the street sellers were very much in your face. But then we got to go to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Garden Tomb and the Museums, the Mount of Olives, the Wailing Wall and the tunnels underneath the Temple Mount where they have done a lot of excavations.

Jordan River

Then the famous Via Dolorosa, a mile-long route through the Old City of Jerusalem (Way of the Cross). And I thought, WOW, I'm really here. The Old City I think was my favorite, walking through the narrow walkways and seeing all the Stations and the shops, it was so neat to be there. Our final day in Jerusalem was a free day. We joined three others from our group and we walked to the Damascas Gate and then to Ben Yehuda Street which is a walking only area with many stores. It was fun looking thru the shops and talking to the people and so forth. It really wrapped up a wonderful holiday. And yes, there is a lot of walking, so good shoes are a must. We were fortunate the weather was really good. It only rained one day. They said it hadn't rained much and if it did rain, it would be over in a short while. Well, that first day it poured, almost all day. John had to buy an umbrella. I think some of the group brought them from home, but we hadn't.

Germany 2006

Well, we went to Germany for our 30th wedding anniversary. It was also the year Germany hosted the World Soccer games so there were lots and lots of other people visiting Germany too. The weather that summer was very warm, hot, which is great when you are on vacation. You want the weather to be nice. Sometimes you get tired of +30 temperatures every day, but just have one cold, windy and rainy day and you immediately want those hot sunny days back.

We started our trip with a direct flight from Edmonton to Frankfurt and stayed with cousins in a place near Frankfurt/Main. For our anniversary we were treated to a boat cruise on the Rhine River and a lovely dinner. It was most enjoyable.

Frankfurt/Main

Further trips included the cities of Koblenz, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Kiel, Lübeck, Berlin, Frankfurt/Oder and the Polish border town, Slubice. I very much enjoyed going to the city of Berlin. Along with our hosts we travelled by train between the two cities of Frankfurt/Main and Frankfurt/Oder. We were graciously shown around the area and spent a whole day touring the city of Berlin. Seeing the highlights by open-air bus and then the rest by foot, visiting the famous Berlin Wall, or what's left of it, and Brandenburg Gate which was closed off to traffic because of the Games. Our bags were searched at the entrance. We also visited a Government building which was very secure. Only a limited amount of people were allowed in at a time and we had to go through security screening just like in an airport. I felt privileged to be in the former east zone, something I had only read about.

Rhine River cruise

We also were fortunate to visit the Baltic Sea. We travelled by train from Berlin to Kiel. My cousin who was spending the summer up there, invited us to visit. We were also to the city of Lübeck and shopped in the city of Kiel before returning by train the Frankfurt/Main. It was a wonderful summer vacation.

Brazil 2005

Our first trip overseas was to Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2005. Why Brazil? Well, I was always interested in Brazil because some of my families went there from Poland, in the late 1800's. I wondered what it was like there, how they lived and so forth. With the internet and the younger people learning English, it was at least possible to communicate.

Sao Paulo downtown

One day I received an email from a cousin in Brazil and so a link was established. We started emailing. I had so many questions that the invitation was extended to us to come visit them. At first I didn't think it was possible for me to go there. I hadn't traveled much at all. I was a little afraid, what would it be like, how much would it cost, was it safe, etc. As the months passed we found out the cost was not so bad and they would organize a reunion so we could meet the families.

Sao Paulo skyscape

We flew from Toronto to Sao Paulo in early September. We were met at the airport by family members and it all seemed so normal, not strange at all. We felt like we were among family. Sao Paulo was just like any other big city. The shopping centres, the large companies, the hotels, McDonalds Restaurant, Wal-Mart, people going about their lives. We had a very nice hotel, staff spoke English, and were very helpful, making us feel very comfortable. We had an unforgetable stay.