Everything has been getting pretty crazy over in Israel lately so who knows when it will be safe to travel there again so I thought that I would share some pictures and stories from there in case anyone was ever interested…I cannot wait to go back but as of now my work has a put Israel on the “no travel” list for obvious reasons. I had to travel there for work…three times…for a total of 45 days since mid-February of this year….I am by far not complaining because it was the best experience of my life…but man was it tiring. One of the trips I had less than a 12 hour notice that I was going over there for two weeks and the day after I came back I was leaving for Mexico for a family vacation…again not complaining but I was SO stressed.
On my first trip there it was their cold/rainy season which I would consider a normal fall in St. Louis. The temperature was in the mid 50s most of the time and it rained a few times. We took a private tour of Jerusalem which was absolutely amazing. I am not into history at all so I didn’t think that I would care much for it, I basically went because I didn’t have anything else to do and it would be neat if I said I had been there. I am so happy I ended up going because this was such a great day. Here are some pics of the day.
We even got one of the local American hangouts to put up a Cardinals flag!
On my second trip I was only there for a week so we didn’t really get to do much…ate a lot of food…enjoyed a few a lot of beers. It was their spring time when I went in March/April so it was perfect weather…their spring only really lasts a few weeks I was told so it was nice to be there to enjoy it. When we fly over there we get to sit first class which is such a luxury…I would NEVER be able to afford the tickets for overseas first class but if I ever could I would spend it for sure. I am so spoiled now that every time I sit in coach I get grumpy (I know…feel sorry for me). The hotel we stay at is beautiful…right off the beach…each room has an ocean view. We have access to the executive lounge which has free beer and food and wine. We did get to go to the Dead Sea and Massada which were both very beautiful.
On my third trip I was there for over two weeks and it was May…the start of their summer. The temps were in the 90s most days. I did not pack for 90 degrees…I packed for a cool spring which is what was going on in St. Louis at the time…silly girl for not checking the weather. Needless to say right when I got there I was sweating to death and had to go shopping. Everything there is SO expensive so I spent a mini fortune on flip flops, a swim suit and a sun dress but it was so worth it. We got to go to the pool on the weekends and it was awesome! Once a week they drain the pool and scrub it really well and then fill it up with the water from the ocean. The second weekend of this trip we went to Caesarea National Park. It was so beautiful…we did so much walking and climbing on rocks…I had shin splints after it somehow and could barely walk!
Every trip I fall more and more in love with the people, the culture, just everything about the place. I never felt so safe in my entire life…I would go running at night along the boardwalk by myself, I would walk to go shopping or get a quick meal by myself. It is just so weird to think that me of all people would do those things without even being nervous when I don’t even like falling asleep in my house if Mike isn’t there. It is a shame things are in such turmoil there now because I am dying to go back.
Beautiful photos. Looks like a really interesting place to visit.
Thanks!