Our Journey Starts

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Snow in Maine delayed our trip to Israel. Our flights were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday and then Dad could not get us on another flight until today. (But another storm was on the way!) Our friend Susan Poulin drove us to the Portland Jetport. We flew to Newark NJ. We had to go through special security in the waiting area to get on the plane to Tel Aviv, where the airport is in Israel. The flight was very long... over 10 hours! We arrived the next day at 9:30am. We rented a car and drove to Be'er Sheva, which is at the top of the Negev Desert. It is very different. I have hardly had any sleep since we left. Our apartment (they call them "flats") is really nice. We have a balcony that looks out over the desert

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Comments

[Abbi14]

This is awesome! I would have killed to travel with my family when I was that young. Enjoy it! I'm excited to read more about your journey

[Mrs Morrison]

Hi Abby!
It is so good to read your words, Abby! Our class celebrated Valentine's Day this afternoon. We exchanged cards and ate ice cream. Every day someone will ask about you. Rae you happy? What are you doing? Have you emailed yet? I'm excited to be able to share your blog with them all, so they can hear from you directly! Your mom told me that there are wild cats everywhere there. I'm sure the class would like to hear more about that! What else can you tell us? xo Mrs. Morrison

[Sammie Haynes]

Hi Abby!
I'm so glad you invited me to join your blog. You must be learning a lot about Israel, it's landscape, people and wild cats! I miss you. xo sammie

[Bubbe]

Hi Abby, really terrific that you're doing a blog. Makes it easy and a lot of fun to keep up with all you're doing. We're so glad that you arrived safely and that the flat is nice. It looked nice when we were on skype with you all. It's finally getting warm here. We'll miss you coming to Florida this year, but we're really excited about coming to Israel to visit you. Aunt Laurie and Uncle Dave will be here Sat. Sending lots of love and many hugs.Bubbe and Poppy.

[catherine Rea]

In the beginning
I really enjoyed seeing your picture and reading the comments about the start of your new adventure. I can't wait to read more, see more pictures. Love and prayers

[The Class]

Hi Abby - We are at morning meeting on February 15th. The class has some questions for you: ~Did you have jet lag? Are you still waking up at funny times? ~We heard there are lots of wild cats. Are they strays? Are they feral? Will you be bringing one home? What other unusual animals have you seen? ~Is it confusing to be around other people there? Are there English speakers or do you feel like you can't communicate? ~Tell us about the weather. Is it hot? ~What is the food like? Are there American-type foods? ~Have you made any friends? ~Nicolette wants to know if the daylight is different there. Are the days longer? ~Anna wants to know: have you adjusted to Israel yet? ~Melanie wants to know what you're reading. Did you get a copy of Gregor? ~Aiden S. wants to know how much you miss Maine. ~Elijah wants to know how your ALEKS math is coming along. ~Jillian wants to know if you have to wear a head scarf in public. Can you wear your normal clothes? ~Kayla wants to know if the people there are nice. ~0rs. M wants to know what there is most SIMILAR to America and what is most DIFFERENT. ~Molly wants to know what the stores and restaurants are like. We'd love to see some pictures! Much love, Your 4th grade class

[deleted_191342]

cool
abby this is zoe your cousine you are so lucky to be there and a balcony to look over the desert that must be breath taking. live you-zoe rebecca

[Kathy]

Glad you made it to your destination!
Hi Abby, I have been thinking of you so much recently, knowing that you would be leaving for your exciting trip. When I saw the invitation to join your blog, I was thrilled. Now, I can find out first hand about all of your wonderful experiences. I hope to share some of what you write about with my students, too. By the way, Aiden Stone often stops by on his way home and he had filled me in that you had left. I know you said your flat has a balcony. When I think flat, I imagine one story, but a balcony implies two??? Tell me more about your home away from home! Say hi to everyone in your family. Mrs. B.