Friday, May 21, 2010

Finally online!

Hi friends,

I'm finally able to get online. Our hotel has free Wii Fii, but I didn't bring a computer. :( I should have brought my friend Hee!

Necole, Mom, Jill and I are having a fabulous time!!! This trip is truly breathtaking. To tell you all what we've been doing these past few days would be so hard. My mind is twirling with information, and its hard to pick on just one subject. Plus I dont want to get the true facts turned around.

We will try and post pictures later. If not, we are taking plenty of pictures and video.

Tonight we are staying in Beer Sheva at the Leonardo hotel. It is the Sabbath tonight (every Friday night) so the city is closed down. But the hotel is FULL of people going along with their celebration. I was in the elevator coming down to the bar tonight, and two Israeli asked me if I wanted to sell them my computer. Ha ha.

Today we visited Mactish in the Negev Desert. It was hot! But out of the 3 desert in this world, this is the greenest. Picture in your mind the Grand Canyon, but then think bigger!!! We were driving on the side of steep clips. And the roads only had enough room for one vehicle. But our bus driver new where to go. Whenever rain falls, is piles up on the side on of the road. So the roadways had alot of greenery, and we also saw some corn and soy bean fields. But mostly just dry dry dirt. We saw alot of Bedouin camps, and camels! Camels are on the side of the road. Back home you'd seer 'Caution Deer Crossing Signs'. But here you see 'Caution Camels near the road' signs. I'm trying to get a decent picture, but whenever I seem them we are driving by them on the bus. And I never have the video camera ready to go. But I did capture one today. I hope we'll be able to see it

My favorite part of this whole trip is everyone I'm with. The minute we met eachother at the airport in New York, if felt like we were friends. I love Jehovah's organization. I hope I'm able to keep in touch with as many and I can after we've gone home. We passed along a notebook to write everyone names down. Maybe I can get a copy of that. Another favorite thing of mine, is many of the places we visits, some of the brothers will give Bible based talks. One brother talked Goliath, and held up a rock so we could visualize what could have killed him. He gave this talk while looking over the valley they lived in. But I'm so tired right, that exact name is drawing a blank. Sorry!! I left all my notes by my bed.

Tomorrow is going to be our longest day yet. We are traveling to Masada, the Sea of Engeti for a swim and also the Dead Sea. I'm so excited! Usually we leave our hotel at 9:30 am, but tomorrow at 7 am. Our tour guide Roya (I know I have that mispelled) is such a character. But he is so intelligent, and knows so much about Israel and their heritage. I could listen to him talk for hours. His facial expressions and humor are so much fun.

Well, this computer I'm on is almost out of battery, and I need to get my sleep. I will try and update again soon. Another thing we just cant find her are postcards. I want to send so many of you one, but I cant find any. :(

Love you all!
Katie, Necole, Jill and Tammy.

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Day Has Arrived...

Hello everyone,

Travel day is upon us, and I'm so excited!! :)

Our flight to New York leaves at 7 am this morning. After we arrive in New York we'll meet up with our 'travel family' and be on our way to Tel Aviv, May 18. Long day of travel!!!! Good thing for books, music, family to gab with and hopefully a little sleep!!!! My Mom is packing a deck of cards too. I wonder what new card games I can learn on this trip. I dont know much other than rummy, kings korner and go fish. Ha ha

We will arrive in Tel Aviv in the afternoon, and from there we'll have the rest of the day for ourselves to get situated in our rooms and such. The next day we'll be going Bethel. I'm so excited to meet the brother and sisters there. I love how no matter where you are in this world, you'll always be home in Jehovah's organization.

So I will leave today's blog at that. I hope to have access to an internet cafe at our hotel, which will probably be one of this first things I look for. ;) I'll update you all as soon as I can.

Much Love,

Katie, Necole and Tammie

Monday, May 10, 2010

Ash Cloud over Germany

It appears that flights in and out of Europe are resuming. I was a little worried that our flight thru Germany would have been either delayed or re-routed somewhere else. We talked as a family last night that if we were sent to Iceland, we could enjoy the hot springs. Always a plus!

7 days and counting. Poor Necole has been sent to Colorado this week for work. She will be home Saturday. Only home two days, and then needs to repack.

I on the other hand am super duper excited! This will be my first trip out of the country. I'm so anxious, and dont know what to expect. I'm grateful I will be with my family, brothers and sisters and with two tour guides that although I dont know yet...I trust already.

It was so nice to meet the other person in our travel group this weekend. Jill its is going to be a pleasure getting to know you. You have alot of travel stories to share, and I'm looking forward to hearing them.

I will be learning how to post pictures and videos this week. It looks pretty straight forward.

Katie

Thursday, May 6, 2010

11 Days to Go!

I've been couting down the days for this trip since 250. :) I can't believe it's almost here. Things are coming together nicely in my opinion. My lovely aunt is all organized with all we need, tickets, travel infor and our shekels. I'm so exicted! The watermark marking on the skekels are so cool. They almost look fake to me, but the coloring is beautiful.

I'm not sure if all know what our itinerary is. So I will share what I know.

Day 1-May 17: Flight to NY, to Germany, then Tel Aviv.
Day 2-May 18: Day in Tel Aviv to get adujsted
Day 3-May 19: Tel Aviv (Watchtower Offices) and Joppa
Day 4-May 20: Bethshemesh + 3 other sites (dont know the details yet)
Day 5-May 21: Beer Sheeba
Day 6-May 22: Dead Sea
Day 7-May 23: Hazor & Mt. Herman
Day 8-May 24: Nazareth & Meggido
Day 9-May 25: Sea of Galilee
Day 10-May 26: Mediterranean Coast
Day 11-May 27: Jerusalem
Day 12-May 28: Jerusalem
Day 13-May 29: Mount of Olives
Day 14-May 30: Dead Sea Scrolls
Day 15-May 31: Jerusalem to Home

I will probably post again the day before or the day we leave.

Katie, Necole and Tammie.