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.