Friday Night - Pilgerhaus, Migdalia, Tiberias, Israel

I’m having some technical issues trying to create posts for my blog. Some posts are out of chronological order. Sorry!

I am also trying to add photos to each post and am still rather baffled as to the process when only using my iPhone. This is the first time I’ve not brought my laptop on an international adventure. The process is different and I’m by no means tech savy with any sort of sophistication!!

Okay, so in my last post, which is not in the correct chronology (see Friday 9/7), I left off at the Basilica of the Annunciation. Here’s a photo of the front of the church that is built on the site of the Annunciation:  

 

#2: Arrive Tel Aviv / Transfer to Herzlia

I enjoyed a hearty breakfast after one little glitch while waiting for my eggs to be prepared!  I stood in line with one person ahead of me, to order my eggs. The chef took the order of the lady in front of me, then asked the man who’d walked up after me. I waited. Then, another man approached and the chef took his order too.  Hmmm, I audibly cleared my throat and the chef indicated that the line was to my right. So, I moved to my right and he took the order of another gentleman. Then, finally, he casually turned to me and asked how I’d like my eggs. If there’s a man and a woman in line the man is served first!  When in Rome!!!

After our break-fast we boarded a very luxurious bus for the 20-minute drive through the city along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Carmel, the location of the traditional cave of Elijah the Prophet of the Old Testament. Mind you, I don’t have that book of the Bible memorized, or even read, to be perfectly honest!  What’s the saying?  “So many books, so little time!?”  Mount Carmel, the name comes from Arabic ‘karam,’ meaning ‘vineyard of God.’

There’s a church built in the 17th century at the Carmelite Monastery, a simple but lovely church. The Carmelites were founded there during the time of the Crusades ( sometime between the 11th and 13th centuries). Yikes, that’s old!  Our leader, Father Christopher Bennett, took us into a private chapel where he said our first Pilgrimage Mass - pretty moving.

There is just an overwhelming amount of history all around us here in Israel. People of many religions come here to visit the Holy Land. Jewish people will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning “beginning of the year,” beginning at sundown on e we’re told. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was loaded with many Jewish pilgrims arriving in various religious costumes for the observance.

Near the Carmelite Monastery and Church on Mount Carmel is located the Baha'i’ Terrace Gardens, in honor of the Baha’i’ Faith, a religion that professes the worth of all religions and the unity and equality of all people. It was initially practiced in Iran and nearby Middle East. It’s followers have been persecuted since it’s inception. The gardens were started by an Iranian in 1987 and they were opened to the public in 2001. They’re one of the most visited sites in Israel are.

[I’ve made a new friend today. Lyn is a google employee; tomorrrow I’m going to ask her how to attach photos from my iPhone to my blog on my iPhone here]

We checked in to our new hotel, Pilgerhaus, in Tiberias this afternoon and had a lovely dinner this evening and have retired early to try to catch up on lost sleep.

More, much more tomorrow!

#1: Depart USA

DAY 1: DEPART USA September 4, 2018  8:05pm San Jose >> London Heathrow Airport >> Tel Aviv

We took to the air in San José five minutes ahead of schedule at 8 Tuesday evening on British Airways, one of my favorite airlines. Two of us had three seats in coach so we were able to spread out a bit. Also there was lots of head and knee room that made relaxing much easier than what we usually have on domestic flights. Also, drinks are free; I don’t imbibe but I saw lots of little bottles of wine being passed out to whomever asked.

The flight to London’s Heathrow Airport was long, about 11 hours, and I only slept the last hour or so. I took 10 mg of Meletonin, but felt completely wide awake. So much for having the flight ‘seem’ shorter by sleeping!

There was a two+ hour layover at Heathrow, one BIG airport!  Then it was on to another new British Airways flight for the 5 ½ hour flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. Both legs were comfortable; during the second I couldn’t keep my eyes open so felt quite refreshed when we landed in Tel Aviv at about one in the morning!

There were representatives of Catholic Travel Centre at every airport to give us information on where to go and what to do. I’m used to having to fend for myself as I usually travel alone. It’s nice not to have to think too much — especially when really sleepy. Usually I really suffer jet lag when traveling across many time zones, but this time I’ve not noticed the same disagreeable growls grumpy feelings. I say ‘yay’ to that.

Upon arrival at our hotel, Dan Panorama, in the heart of Tel Aviv, a City of about 500,000, we were directed to our rooms where we quickly fell into needed slumber — for three whole hours (!!) before arising to begin our first day with a hardy breakfast at the hotel’s international buffet. I’ve rarely seen such a spread for a breakfast to start the day. Oh, and the coffee was truly Mediterranean— powerfully strong!

 ben Gurion Airport in the modern city of Tel Aviv is gorgeous

 Beautiful artwork

Okay, get used to Hebrew and Aramaic!

To be continued . . .

One More Day - All Ready to Go!

Boy, life is certainly different when you don't have husbands and kids to get ready for a trip!  It's just Lacy and me! This morning we went out for a 40-minute aerobic walk, came home and I showered, went to breakfast with Kari, had the car washed and gassed, hit the ATM for a little cash to carry and am now home relaxing.

Tomorrow morning Lacy will go to stay with her groomer, at whose home she always has a good time; Tamara and her family treat my girl like royalty.  Tamara says that when her husband knows Lacy is coming he prepares a chicken just for her!  Anyway, I feel comfortable leaving her there as they're Standard Poodle people who live on a ranch-type property where she has kids, other pets and plenty of room to keep her occupied and happy.

A few years ago, while I was traveling in South America, Lacy awoke Tamara in the middle of the night because she was in great pain and exhibiting a very bloated abdomen.  Tamara immediately recognized the symptoms (it's a somewhat common malady in Standards) and they took  her to the emergency pet hospital at 4 in the morning where she underwent  surgery for a critical condition called intussusception, in which the  bowel slips in on itself, a life-threatening occurrence.  I'm thankful they recognized what it was and got her into the operating room in time.  Of course, the whole episode cost me an arm and a leg, but she recovered quickly and was  good as new in no time!

Although she has the energy of a puppy, Lacy is now 8 ½ years old; Standards have a life expectancy of about 12-13, so I consider her in middle age.  Losing her will be traumatic - oh, I don't want to think about it!  She's a certified Therapy Dog who visits hospitals and convalescent homes and loves people.  Yesterday at Starbucks, she was much more interested in visiting people than the four or five dogs there.  She visits, always keeping my whereabouts in sight, just to make sure I haven't disappeared from the scene.  When I go inside the store to place my order she sits right outside the door until I return, then she ventures out to visit others.

Thought I'd attach a map of the Holy Land - Then and Now:  The BLACK are Testament Times and RED Modern Times:

Sunday, September 2, 2018 - Two Days Before Departure

I am getting very excited for the beginning of my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  Several of my good friends have made this trip more than once.  For Christians and Jews, a visit to Israel and the Holy Land is akin to Islam's pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is the birthplace of  the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic faith itself.  Only Muslims are allowed in the city, with millions arriving for the annual Hajj (pilgrimage), where they visit the Sacred Mosque that surrounds the Kaaba, a cubic structure that is Islam's most sacred shrine.  Of course the Holy Land is revered by Christians as the home of Jesus Christ and the recording of his ministry in the Bible's New Testament.  For Jews it is the Promised Land to which the Israelites came from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Old Testament of the Bible.

My carry-on bag and backpack are ready, with the exception of things I need before I leave.  My travel outfit is chosen - comfortable and layered.  I'll drive to travel-mate Lisa's house here in El Dorado Hills, about 30 miles east of Sacramento, at 1 on Tuesday; from there we'll drive about 145 miles to San Jose and park my car at our friend Cheryl's house.  Then, the three of us will Uber to  San Jose International Airport where we'll meet with other members of our group, along with our leader, Father Christopher Bennett, and Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath, who will be accompanying us.  I'm not exactly sure how many will be in the group, at least 30.

The tour is operated by:

Catholic Travel Centre, Worldwide Tours & Pilgrimages

4444 Riverside Drive, Suite 301

Burbank, CA 91505-4048, USA

Tel:  (818) 848-9449

www.GoCatholicTravel.com

Although I've been regularly exercising at SNAP Fitness since I moved into my apartment here in El Dorado Hills upon my return from Guatemala last year, I've been arising early each morning for the last three weeks to do some aerobic walking around my neighborhood with my Standard Poodle, Lacy.   We walk up to 2 miles or so each day and it feels like the hills have improved my aerobic conditioning.  The first couple of weeks Lacy was very excited about the adventure; recently she's been a little less enthusiastic, actually breaking her healing command to express her wish to return home and take it easy!  At our 'meet and greet' potluck last week, Father Chris informed us that we'll be doing a lot of walking as we make our way throughout the Holy Land - I'm just trying to be prepared!

This morning Lacy and I walked for just under an hour before I spiffied myself up for 9 o'clock Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Father Jesus, our newly ordained associate pastor, wished me godspeed after the service, as did several friends in the congregation.  I feel very fortunate to have made so many wonderful friends in the short year-and-a-half I've been a parishioner at Holy Trinity.

After Mass I drove home, picked up Lacy and met my friend, Jay, at Starbucks for coffee and conversation while Lacy passed over an hour visiting all the people and dogs there.  She loves Starbucks, where she can wander the patio area making mostly new, but some old friends!

Lacy in her Christmas apron - photo taken in January

After settling Lacy back home in the apartment, I returned to the shopping center for a pedicure in the local salon.  I love the conveniently located shopping right across the street from my park-like apartment complex.

Now, I'm relaxing while doing some final laundry and enjoying a not-to-hot Sunday in California before heading to the Middle East where it's expected to be highs of about 85 and lows of 79 with 85% humidity.  I'm sure I'll notice the climate change, it's like a desert here.

More to come . . .

Herzlia / Nazareth / Cana / Tiberias

Friday, September 7, 3018

HERZLIA / NAZARETH / CANA / TIBERIAS

With a bit of a sleep over, we leave for Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus played as a child, learned a trade, and grew to manhood. We will have Mass in the Church of the Annunciation, and an opportunity to visit sites in the city. We will then travel to Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of his mother [John 2:1-11]. There we will visit the Franciscan chapel for a renewal of wedding vows. Then we continue on to our hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in the city of Tiberias for rest, dinner, and a relaxing evening. (B, D)

Above is a copy of our itinerary for today that was given before we began this adventure. The first time I read it, about five months ago, it didn’t really mean much. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around actually being in the Holy Land. Now, here I am!

Last night both Lisa, my travel partner, and I went to bed quite early to try to make up for all those time zones we flew over - we’re ten hours ahead of California.  Well, after a full night’s slept my alarm sounded at 6 and I decided to just catch a few more winks. GADS!  Next thing I knew it was an hour and a half later!  Lisa was gone and I was sure I’d missed the bus!  I rushed like crazy as I couldn’t recall exactly what time we were supposed to be ready. As I scurried towards the reception area I didn’t meet any of my traveling companions, so I was definitely sure I’d be spending the whole day alone!  When I got to reception I noticed one person from our group. "Has the group left?," I questioned. "No, you still have time for a cup of coffee."  Phew!  I’d made it!

So, after a cup of super strong Mediterranean coffee (must have about triple the caffeine I’m accustomed to!) I jumped on the bus for the short ride to Nazareth, Mary’s home. Nazareth of course was a small village; many of its inhabitants lived in hillside caves. Now it’s a city of about 76,000 residents, 70% of whom are Muslim and about 30% Christian. 

First we visited the site of the cave where the Angel appeared to Mary to announce that she would become the Mother of Jesus. Our guide explained much about how incredible that would have been at that time in the history of the world. There is now a beautiful church at the site. 

Going to close this post. Trying to figure out how to attach photos. Stay tuned!!!

Always Lots to Do to Get Ready!

These several days before departure on a new adventure are always full of last minute things to do and I always seem to want to get lots of things accomplished that could well be accomplished at another time.  It just feels good to take off knowing that all my ducks are in order!

Last week I noticed a light on the dashboard of my car informing me that I have a tire-pressure concern.  I've purchased new tires in the last few months so I was pretty sure it wasn't anything too serious.  But, this morning I decided I would drive to Costco and have them check it out - just in case.  One tire had lost about 3 pounds of pressure and that's all it was.  The Costco gentleman said it would be a wee bit early to rotate the tires but that if I'd like, they'd be happy to do it today.  So I decided it would be nice not to have to deal with it later and waited an hour or so until they had it done - definitely something that could have waited.  But now it's DONE!

I have this trip to the Holy Land and another adventure already paid for next February - a cruise in the Adriatic with visits to Croatia, Herzegovina, Bosnia and Montenegro.  So, of course, while I'm preparing for this trip I've also shopped for things I think I'll need (want) for the February adventure.  Definitely not necessary to prepare this far in advance, but what the heck, I'm on a roll!

When I'd made the commitments for these undertakings I also decided that I'm no longer going to pack for a two- or three-week trip as if I'm moving to China for the rest of my life and will never be able to purchase any necessities ever again!  I 'googled around' and found Travel Fashion Girl blog and have been following lots of her advice.

Travel Fashion Girl blog

I'm now dedicated to traveling with only carry-on luggage.  For this trip it will be one 22" x 14" x 9" bag and one Vera Bradley daytime backpack.  I got out the bag last week and started to 'pack' by rolling up each of the pieces of clothing I'd determined would work for the whole trip to Israel.  Then I placed them in the carry-on to see how full it was and what accommodations  was going to have to make.  Here's that first photo:

Okay, so this is a list of contents, so far:
1 blue print dress
1  black and cream skirt
1 black capri leggings
1 black long leggings
1 pair wine colored driving shoes
1 pair pewter flats
1 black dressy top - ¾ sleeves
1 black and white dressy tunic top - ¾ sleeves
1 white casual lace top - flutter sleeves
1 black and beige striped tee - elbow-length sleeves
1 black and white striped tee - ¾ sleeves
1 black and white polka dot tee - short sleeves
1 autumn oranges print tee - ¾ sleeves
1 red textured tee - short sleeves - summery
1 black textured tee - short sleeves - summery
2 night shirts
1 black swim suit
7 small neck scarves of various colors 
2 long scarves - flower prints
1 black baseball cap
3 pairs panties
2 bras
4 pairs peds (footies)

Not included in this list is what I'm wearing for the 10 ½ hour flight from San Jose to London and 5 hour flight to Tel Aviv:
-black cargo pants
-black cotton tee - ¾ sleeves
-black leather and fabric clogs
-black cotton ¾ length, long sleeves casual jacket

The bag is only about a third full!!!  And, I'm fully intending to re-review, maybe subtracting a few things that I won't absolutely need.  I'm going to Israel, not Mars, for Heaven's sake!  My friend, Cheryl, gave me some really super powdered laundry soap to spiff up a few things along the way and all my clothing pieces are washable and constructed of fabrics that dry quickly.

My healthcare and grooming necessities will go in my backpack, along with my passport, credit cards, money, tickets, iPhone and any reading materials that are not accessible on my iPhone:

I had thought about taking along a small knitting project, but have nixed that idea in deference to the desire to post on my blog during the trip.  I'm going to 'do everything electronic' on my iPhone so I'm studying before I leave to be able to attach photos to my posts - and still haven't quite gotten that figured out!  Four days to do so!

I'm excited.  Can you tell?