Off to Jerusalem! (Israel, Day 1 & Day 2, Mon., Oct. 21 & Tues., Oct. 22, 2013)

(Note: Friends, please accept my sincere and humble apology for not having this blog active for the past 2 weeks.  Insurmountable technical issues prevented this!)

My anticipation for this trip has been high ever since my daughter #4, Theresa, and I sent in our deposits last February.  On Sunday, October 20th, I experienced a few pre-trip jitters, making sure the boarding passes were printed, that my check-in luggage weighed no more than 50 pounds, that the garbage was taken out.  First thing Monday, I'll turn the thermostat on the furnace down to 55 degrees. . . I am ready!

Monday, October 21st: We are so excited that Theresa and I could almost fly all the way to Israel without benefit of an airplane!  Our flight begins!

*Lexington (Kentucky) to Atlanta (Georgia), Delta Air Lines, left on time, 12:45 p.m., arrived 2:09 p.m., no problems, duration: one hour, 29 minutes.

*Atlanta to Paris (France) on Air France air lines, left on time, 5:50 p.m., arrived 8:10 a.m. the next day, no problems, duration: eight hours, 20 minutes.

This is a long time to be sitting, even reclining.  Early in the flight, there is an opportunity for both of us to sit in an exit row and thus have enough room to stretch out our legs.  We quickly snatch the chance and move.  Our steward is most helpful, even interesting.

Every time I've strolled (or ran) through the terminals of a major airport and have seen a double-decker (two-story) plane, I've wanted to be on it!  Our Air France 777 is huge: over 300 passengers.  I watched a movie I've been hoping to see, "The Great Gatsby."  It was fun, and helped pass the time.  The plane is quiet.

Air France jet: ready to fly!

*Paris to Tel Aviv (Israel), on time, left on time, 10:50 a.m., arrived 4:15 p.m., no problems, duration: four hours, 25 minutes.  There were only short waits at the luggage kiosk and through customs.

*Total time in air: 14 hours, 14 minutes. Total distance traveled: 6,726 miles.

Theresa and I were part of a tour group sponsored by our church, Christ the King, in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A.  Our leader was Father Richard Watson, formerly at our church, recently transferred to Pikeville, Kcntucky.  The tour was planned by Proximo travel agency.  Six members were from Lexington with ultimately 30 people from different corners of America and Canada on this tour.

At the airport, we were met by a Proximo agent and tour bus.  The bus trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was quite lovely.  I've never before seen such a mostly barren, rocky landscape.  As we approached Jerusalem, the hills are taller and more frequent.

Sunset over Jerusalem.

Rocky, hilly country between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel.

We feel welcome already.  All signs are in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.  The Interstate road with its green signs make me feel like I'm home in the U.S.A.  At the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem, we meet our tour guide, Rami.  Theresa and I are quite pleased with the modern decor and very large patio.  We're tired and sleepy and get settled soon.

On our patio, we can look out over the city of Jerusalem.

View of Jerusalem from our patio.

At last, we have arrived!