Isr@el with the Am@zing Race

The kids and I got to meet Race in Isr@el! I have been so late inposting about this, but it's been a bit of a whirlwind around here. Race had to go back to work, and couldn't come back with us. But he is home safe and sound now, and we are all learning how to live together again. Thank-you so much for all the kind wishes and prayers for safety. It will take me a few posts to tell about our trip.

The flight over was memorable. I was pretty much a nervous wreck at the thought of navigating myself, 3 kids, and all of our luggage from my home and through the airport, etc. Typically I cannot find my way out of a paper bag without proper directions, and there were a lot of "unkowns" for me on Race's end of the trip, and some sticky security issues. We made it through everything in the airport o.k, aside from getting the thorough shake-down and having Jack's toothpaste cofiscated for being too big. When flying to Isr@el, you must go through a second security screening,(Isr@els' before boarding the plane. In our experience, this one is much less rude, and much more efficient and effective. As it turns out, the plane was full. Not one empty seat. And there were 4 people on that plane who were NOT orthodox J@ws. Guess who they were???? Suffice it to say, we were fortunate enough to sit beside a super-nice lady, who was also orthodox. She was so sweet to answer our questions, and to explain so much of what we were seeing. I have NEVER experienced anything like that flight! Everyone was up moving around and talking.....for 10 hours. There was also an odd tension the whole time, that I really couldn't place. The men got up to pray twice during the flight. It was kind of strange to see all the men begin getting out of their seats, reaching into the overhead bins, putting on their prayer shawls, etc., and then all heading to the back of the plane!! But the lady beside us explained everything, and we really ended up learning a lot before we ever even got off the plane! Admitidly, I was terrified that Jack would innocently blurt out something offensive, but thankfully, he was tired.
When we arrived Race had arranged with work for us to get VIP treatment at our arrival. So someone was there to meet us and walk us straight through, instead of having to stand in line and wait. That was so cool! Everyone was wondering who we were to get such treatment!
When we got out Race was there to meet us. He had a beautiful bouqet of roses and a big latte'.(Awwwwwwwwwww....!) The roses were gorgeous, and the latte' was really NEEDED!!! It was so awesome to see him again.

One of the first things that we did, was to walk the wall of the Old City of Jerusal@m. The walls were actually built by Saladin.


The picture above is Jack running ahead, and scaring his poor mother to death. The picture to the right is, of course at the Western Wall. This is the only thing left of the 2nd Temple, and is the holiest site for the Jewish people. I cannot tell you what a learning experience this all was for me. The people were warm and welcoming, and we made many friends(thank-you, Race) from many different religious and cultural backgrounds.

I will post more pictures and descriptions later. Race is watching the Colts and the Chiefs play, and I need to go and fix him some wings....(No, they're not from H@@ters!!LOL!) Thank-you for checking in, I'll post more tonight, I promise!

Melissa