It’s a Small World

Back in Abu Dis the weather remained cool and sprinkly. Outdoor plans got cancelled and we ended up spending some low key days, visited the Israel Museum, and even slept in a little! The guys visited the Mosque in Abu Dis on Holy Day, but us ladies didn’t bother. We weren’t prepared with headscarves and…

The morning was foggy and cold and we were a little worried Petra would be half hidden in the clouds. We needn’t have worried, cause the clouds lifted as we reached the gate, and after awhile the sun even peeked out. This caused a rousing cheer among 400 or so of the other folks waiting…

After weeks of no rain our luck changed. I absolutely love rain, it just makes things a little awkward when most of your days are spent outdoors. The thunder in the night was a gorgeous sound, and we woke up to a wet world. Quite a relief for Abu Dis, as they have been in…

And so things changed. Instead of waking up to Dalen and Karen making coffee and breakfast, we woke up to James making a more complicated espresso drink for the four coffee junkies in our group. Instead of large breakfasts involving eggs, meat, hummus and pitas, we ate toast and butter. Copious amounts of butter. We’ve…

The only good thing about feeling really sick is that at the moment you don’t give a hoot that you’re missing a party. Later it’s a different matter. The house emptied early, and I woke up to silence, sunshine, and a fun note on table from my clan. I brewed some chamomile tea and proceeded…

I started to feel crummy in Eilat, so immediately quit sharing water bottles, and by morning I knew I was headed for a full blown strep infection. Not something you want to have interrupt your vacation! The hotel had moved us due to renovations, so as a consolation prize they offered us the ENORMOUS breakfast…

“You want some weed?” We were hanging out on the pier at Princess Beach, gazing into the clear blue water and watching a rainbow of fish swim around. Its by far the best place to see the fish when your at the Red Sea, so despite the fact that there are large signs warning against…

Sunday in Israel is like Monday at home. The weekend is over, school is back in session and, unlike home, the traffic is at its thickest. Our destination today was Tel Aviv Port and ultimately Joppa. There is a small boat club called Sea Time that rents out sailboats to people like us, so we…

It was after today that our group started asking before each outing, “have you been there before?” It was a valid concern. We had heard of Horkanya, but never been there. It’s the ruins of one of Herod the Great’s palaces out in the desert not too far from Abu Dis. The site is completely…

The road from Abu Dis to Galilee runs along the Jordan River valley. To the left are the grassy hills of the West Bank, covered with small rocks, and smiling wildflowers. Nearly camouflaged herds of sheep and goats dot the hillside, with their watchful shepherds nearby on their smartphones. Caves in the hills are used…

We should have seen it coming when the day started with a motorcycle wreck right next to us. A truck was quick sneaking through the traffic and the biker never saw him. He flew and we all groaned with horror. It was a sobering start. Destination: Ein Gedi, the beautiful oasis in the Negev where…

There is no such a thing as sleeping in while on an Israel tour. Or should I say, sleeping in as you know it. Unless you want to waste literally hours in traffic, you really need to be leaving your house before 6:30. Even that can be too late if you’re headed to the Mediterranean.…

And then we were back. Back to the land of almost eternal sunshine, insane traffic and endless security checks. Back to breathtaking hikes, cats, and pita bread oozing goodness all over your fingers, sweater and lap. The bustle of the airport felt like home and I breathed the cigarette smoke laden air with deep contentment.…