Today we landed in Tel Aviv and learned that part of our group (from other states) didn't make it out of Newark....our was the last plane out as the airport was closed due to snow!! After a 10 hour flight we found our guide and driver and took a tour of Tel Aviv Jaffe. This is the city Jonah escaped to when running from Gods orders!! We walked the old city, ate sandwiches, then headed to our hotel at Bethlehem. After dinner we for a personal tour from Bill Dawson's friend, Gasan. It was interesting walking the West Bank - Bethelehem and visiting with Gasan Headed to bed for much needed rest. Much more tomorrow!!... read more

The time is almost here! Packing is almost done! We leave tomorrow!!... read more

Today following breakfast we left for some more sites around Jerusalem, but first a picture overlooking Jerusalem and a camel ride. I really felt sorry for the camel and wasn't going to ride but Larry Richie wanted a partner so it was me!! Kinda an interesting experience. It was rainy again today so the pics I took look dreary but some are beautiful. First stop was the Temple area and the Dome of the Rock. Our guide does such a great job of explaining how Christianity Judiasm, and Muslim entertwine in this city and their beliefs. We also went to the Via Dolorosa (after lunch). It is the stations of the cross and the traditional pathway Jesus took from the "hall of judgement" to Calvary. From there we went to the Upper Roomm where Jesus and ... read more

I thought I should address the situation in Egypt. Of course it is all over the news here....but then again we are watching Fox News or CNN. We really haven't heard much about it around here. Out hotel is partly owned by Educational Opportunities (our tour company) so you do hear take among the different groups (8-10 her with us). Right now it is mainly affecting the people that were going on the Egypt extention that was offered following our 10 day tour in Israel. I would imagine we will see the effects once we get to the airport as there will be many trying to fly from here that didn't originnaly have tickets. However EO Tours has been established here for over 30 years and have extremely strong connections so I am not even sure ... read more

Today started out with breakfast at the hotel. Our breakfast and dinners were included in our tour and are buffet style. Today, however, was different because it is the Sabbath here so there was no hot food as Jewish people don’t cook on the Sabbath. However what we had was wonderful! We started our day with a trip to Bethlehem. Our guide is Jewish Israeli and cannot go into Bethlehem so we with in with our bus driver who is Arab and can go. We traveled through a checkpoint which was really no big deal going in but coming out they came on the bus and looked at our passports and looked in every seat. We were told we couldn’t take pictures but you all know me…..I ask my roommate (who was sitting in front of ... read more