This trip has been something I have looked forward to for the most part of the late summer and early autumn of 2010. It happened somewhat by chance, but seems ordered by the Lord. All of the right doors opened at the right time and we were off! G (a young lady from my home church) was my traveling partner. On Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 3:30 a.m., I said goodbye to my home town and flew off into the sunrise, literally. My next stop was Washington, D.C., via a layover in Atlanta, GA. Unsure as to what flying would be like during a major election, I was pleasantly surprised to find that most people had stayed home to vote (tic) ;-), or so we can hope. Upon my arrival in D.C., I met up with G, who had flown in the night prior. We got checked in for the flight to Germany, went through security and headed up to the gate for a 4 hour wait.
(G sleeping, she had stayed the night at the airport in the luggage pick-up area. No bueno! :()
Finally, around 5: 30, we flew off into the sunset and arrived in Frankfurt, Germany in the early morning just in time for a gray, and misty, sunrise. Upon our arrival in Frankfurt, I had to work out the kinks for my ticket to Israel. Luckily, it was a simple process and the kind, German ladies working the Lufthansa counter made the process simple. After another 3 hour layover, we were finally off to Israel. This was around a four hour journey that carried us over a good portion of Europe, Greece, and the sparkling, brilliant Mediterranean Sea before safely landing us in Tel Aviv.
(The Lufthansa counter, that never opened, in Frankfurt, Germany!
The Israeli security here does not play. They not only frisked our bodies,
I think they frisked our brains, and no one was exempt.)
In Tel Aviv, after having our passports checked, and fetching our luggage we met with Bro. Ron Walls, and Waleed Hassam, our tour guides. Waleed quickly urged us out of Tel Aviv, to begin the two hour drive to Tiberias by the Sea. We walked into a cheery green bus, greeted by extremely helpful porters who loaded our luggage. On the bus, we found comfortable seats in a plush environment, prepared for comfortable traveling. We left Tel Aviv around 5:30 p.m. and were surprised at how quickly night came upon us.
(Hello Tel Aviv!)
Most of us slept for a moment during the final leg of this exciting first day of travel. We arrived in Tiberias, to be greeted with chilled glasses of lemonade and orange juice. After being directed to our rooms, we freshened up for dinner. G found out our room, as the others did also, had a balcony overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We had to, of course, stand on that balcony for a moment to soak in the sights, sounds, and simple amazing fact that we were finally in Israel.
Supper was interesting will all types of new tastes available to test the palate. After supper we, along with the other more youthful members of the group, headed down to the Sea to see what we could see..... We found a colorful open air market, eateries along the banks of sea, and new sights, smells and sounds enough to tease the senses. After a bit of exploration, we retired for the evening eager to be rested for our early morning wake up call to come. Thankful for a safe trip, we rested with the true, intense rest of the honestly weary.....
(Our first night in Tiberias!)
