Heading To Israel On Sunday

[aussie]

Have a fun and safe trip!!!!!!

[gryphon]

I am leaving for the airport in a few minutes. I am nervous but no turning back now.

[gryphon]

Flight went well. Arrived in tel aviv at around 8 am israeli time (11 pm Eastern time zone) Spent the day touring the diaspora museam and then at the beach.

[tidytaurus]

Sounds like you are already enjoying yourself : )
Have a wonderful vacation and congrats to your brother.

[sarah_300c]

That is going to be a wonderful experience for you! I hope you share your adventure and lots of pics when you get back. Enjoy yourself.

[TaraF]

I hope that you enjoy your trip gryphon

[gryphon]

Just an update on the vacation.
On tuesday I went to the Yad Vashem holocaust museam. An interesting experience but in the end it wa sa bit much. Though I did compose a new poem afterwards. I then met up with some cousins I had not seen in years and had dinner with them.
Yesterday I went to Masada and the dead sea. Truly an awesome experience but not one I think I will be in any hurry to repeat.
Today I visited the tombs of various famous rabbis in Israel, and while at the tomb of the Rambam I heard a car crash in the background as I was saying a prayer.
The breakfasts at the hotel here have to be seen to be believed and the restaruants are amazing. The beaches are awesome and the pool and gym at the hotel are nice.

[Natalka]

Wonderful of you to check in, gryphon! Yes, I can understand that some of the things would be overwhelming...

Keep safe!

[gryphon]

Just another update.
On Friday I went to the Shouk (sp?) and then to an Israeli comic store where I bought some stuff. The sabbath was an interesting experience. I took a long walk on the boardwalk by the beach, got a bad sunburn but not as bad as the one I got the next day. On Sunday I went to Jerusalem, where I spent around 6 or 7 hours walking around, including going to the old city. Going through the religous neighbourhoods was....interesting. I got glares from them including the children even though I had my Kppah and tzitis on. Then I came to the Kotel. The western wall. The wailing wall. I felt ....small upon seeing it. Its hard to explain, but I felt almost insignificant upon seeing it. I prayed Mincha at the wall which was an amazing experience. Yesterday, I went to Jaffo on a brief tour and then went to my brother's graduation from med school ( the reason for my trip). It was a nice experience. Today I went to the Haggana museam and then hit the pool in my hotel. Just one more full day here before I fly back to Toronto on Thursday

[Natalka]

So wonderful you are having such a variety of experiences!

[Psychojo213]

Sounds like you are having a great time...trip of a life-time.

[wtbfl]

sorry I've been away for a while...thanks for sharing this...my husbands grandparents tours Isreal a long time ago and walked where Jesus carried his cross..they said it was the most amazing experience..I would love to go and tour some day..prayers for you

[gryphon]

Well its been nice here in Israel over the last week and a half but my vacation is at an end and I am heading back to Toronto tommorow.
Today I took a tunnel tour of the tunnels under the western wall. For all the feelings of smallness I had when I first came to the wall, they were nothing compared to this, and yet at the same time I felt a sense of...acceptance.
I finished off my vacation by going to a brazillian restaurant which brought several servings of meat. It was amazing.

[Natalka]

Have a safe trip home, gryphon!

[gryphon]

After a hellish 13 hour flight I am back home.