Great fellowship

Tonight we went to the house of the sister of the Pastor here.  His other sister and her family came also plus his mother, his fiancé and her sister.

We had a great time of fellowship followed by singing and worshipping.  The spirit of the Lord was so sweet and strong.  I love His presence.

It is now 1:30 am and we just arrived back at the B&B. 

Weekend

Friday we spent time with Bro. Velanti and had a service in his church. Saturday was spent with the other Pastor in town Bro. Tuminelo with service in his church that night.

Sunday we travelled back to Catania. We had a great service here with Pastor Daniele.  The spirit was so sweet.

Afterwards we went to a real Italian place....McDonalds!  LOL!  Oh well...we'll look for Pizza and Gelato today!

Today is a down time day.  Wow the first one in a looooong time.  We will visit Syracuse and relax.  YEAH!!!!

Friday in Sicily

Last night we arrived in Catania.  We spent the night in the same B&B that we did in October.  This morning's relaxed breakfast was a treat after all the going we did in Israel and Jordan!  We didn't have to leave until 10 am!!  YEAH!

We are in Marsala, Sicily. We drove here in a rented 9 passenger van. Daniele, his mother, Teresa, his finance, Titziana and her sister Clelia. It is a four hour drive from Catania.

We had lunch at the Pastor’s house. It was very good. So neat to actually eat with a local. You get the real feel for the country, its people and the regional food.

We are in Hotel Carmine. I tried to rest and they were repairing something in the kitchen next to us. Banging, drilling etc for over an hour! GRR!! Not my ideal of rest!

The receptionist assured me that they will stop soon and won’t work tomorrow. I sure hope so.

I am kind of worried though. Being next to the kitchen doesn’t sound like a quite spot for sure! I am expecting early morning noises of breakfast in the making.

The hotel itself is very nice. It is a old monastery converted to a hotel.

I am not crazy my room. It is nice but a bit closed in for me. I need big windows with my claustrophobia. Feel pretty closed in at the moment.

I have had enough of that on all the airplanes lately.

Oh well…we are leaving in a bit for a church service so I’ll get some space…well after we get out of the van full of 9 people! LOL!

Tweets

I am seeing tweets from those who went to Israel that they are home in Calgary now.  We, the Kings, are in Catania, Sicily.

We are headed to Marsala for services.  Back here on Sunday morning for services Sunday night.

We will be joined on Saturday by the Grells and Melwoods. 

It was so good to see Daniele, his mother and Clelia at the airport to greet us last night.

We went for pizza at the corner cafe.  SO GOOD!

Pray for us here is Sicily that we will bless the church here.

Safe in Frankfurt

Message to all concerned about the bomb blast in Jerusalem.  It happened right after we left so we never heard it.  We are safe and sound in Frankfurt!

Homeward Bound

Leaving Jerusalem to catch our flight to Frankfurt from Tel Aviv.

First group homeward bound tomorrow morning!

Kings and Melwoods and Grells Sicily bound to strenghten churches there.

:)

Tuesday

Today we wound our way through the Canaanite Tunnel.  Very narrow!  We then went on to the Pool of Saloam. 

Pictures above taken along the way to the Pool of Saloam from the Tunnel.  Background is Palestinian area.

We then visited the Holocast Muesem.  Very sobering.

The afternoon was spent with most of us going to the Old City for Shopping and Sightseeing.  Fun time.

We will pack up tonight and head out to Tel Aviv for the flight tomorrow to Frankfurt, Germany.  Most everyone will fly out from there home to Calgary on Thursday.

Pictures

I tried to upload pics tonight but it is not happening for some reason!  Sorry!  I will keep trying.

:)

Sunday and Monday

It is Monday night and I am sitting in my hotel room exhausted!  We have been having 12 hour days!  Full Days!!

Yesterday we went to the Temple Mount, Bethesda, Sang in Saint Anne's, Mt of Olives, Shrine of the Scroll Muesem (saw Dead Sea Scrolls there) and then on an hour and half drive to Caesarea by the Sea and back by the Valley of Elah where David killed Goliath.

Today we went to the Rabbincial Steps, Wailing Wall, Rabbincial Tunnels, Garden of Gethsemane, Garden Tomb for Communion and then to the Upper Room!

The Garden of Gethsemane is always my favorite.  It is hard to describe what you feel there! 

Everyone is enjoying the trip.  However, we are all very tired.

Friday & Saturday

Sorry I didn't have internet access last night so I am posting for Friday and Saturday.

Friday we visited Mt Nebo and Petra.

Mt Nebo was where Moses stood viewing the Promise Land that he would not be allowed to enter.  He had led the people 40 years to come to this climax.  As I stood there looking over the vast valley below with Jericho in sight I tried to imagine how he felt.  The frustration, the confusion, the anguish in his heart. 

Pastor King read a moving excerpt from a writing of Nate Wilson about Moses at this place. 

It was a moving moment on the windswept mountain for me.  And others too I think if tears and silence were any indication of what they were feeling as well.

We then travel on south to the lost city of Petra.  Amazing, amazing, amazing!  We hiked down through the gorge to view the caves and splendor of the place.

This morning we arose early again!  5:30 am!! 

We traveled through a very curvy mountain pass through Moab to come to the south side of the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side.  We went all along the coast of the Sea until we came to the north side where we crossed back over into Israel.

Lunch, Ein Gedi, where David cut a piece of Saul's garment as he slept, and then to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

We made our way up to Jerusalem for supper and hopefully an early night. 

Up early again tomorrow for an exciting day in the City of Jerusalem!

Jordan!

Tony Spell Roman City Jerash Jordan

Babies!  David and Lucas Holmes

Andrew Bentley with Tas Melwood

What a wonderful day!

We started out enjoying a leisurely morning on the Shores of the Sea of Galilee.  Our hotel is right on the seaside.

We had breakfast on a open terrace overlooking the Sea.  So relaxing after all the rushing around and jet lag.

However now the rest is over!  We arrived at the Jordanian Border at 10:30 am.  Our Jordanian guide, Omar, had been waiting there since 8:30 am.  There was a miscommunication and we didn't know we were supposed to be there so early. 

So......becuase we arrived so late there was not enough time to do the things that were scheduled and now we have to squeeze one of the items in tomorrow.

That means the wake up call is at 5:30 am tomorrow and on the bus by 7:00 am.  Some thought we were joking when we announced it!  Our first day wake up call was at 6:30 am....then 7:30 am...now 5:30 am!!!

That being said....we are loving Jordan. 

The border ordeal was just that....a lenghtly ordeal....just to leave Israel.....stop at gate....guide and driver get out and answer questions...show papers....guards look under bus with big mirrors.....go to Israel departure building get out of bus.....stand in line and go one by one to window and show them exit receipt and passport......unload suitcases and wait for shuttle bus.....load shuttle bus....drive couple minutes to Jordanian side..... unload shuttle bus....go inside and show passport at windown and take a picture of your irises...one by one......go back out and get suitcases and walk over to building with x-ray machine for suitcases....put them through and walk to bus....load bus with suitcases and then off you go.....lengthly ordeal.... or so we thought.  Our guide informed us we got through fairly quick.....it can take up to 4 hours if more buses are in front of you.

We were saying....Jordan better be worth it!  Well....withing minutes of hearing phrases like "We are now in Gilead".....we knew it was well worth the hassle at the border!

Gilean...Ammon.....Moab....Edom.....Looking down at the River that Jacob crossed going home and meeting Esau......Crazy exciting!

The Holiday Inn in Amman is great.  The buffet was so good...my favorite was the Coconut Curry Fish over rice....WOW!   And then a nice flan to top it off.

Tony Spell, my husband and I shared a cab to the Mall after supper to go to Starbucks.  So fun people watching there.  Several others were there also.

As we were leaving the hotel....a Jordanain Groom and Bride came in and we got a picture.  I will post when I can download from my phone.

Well, as I mentioned before the wake up call comes at 5:30 so I better sign off for now!

Promise pics later.

Wednesday

Today starting our trip on the right foot for sure. We had a fantastic day.

We started out on a boat trip across the Sea of Galilee.  This one of my favourite things on the schedule. The weather was gorgeous!

We could feel the spirit as Bro. Tony Spell preached that if the Lord said we were going to the other side then that's exactly what will happen...even if a storm comes and tries to tell us we won't. 

We stopped for a viewing of the Galilee boat then went on to Nazereth where we toured a replica of a village in Jesus' time.

Mt Carmel was next with a fabulous view of the valley of Armageddon. 

Then on to the ruins of Caperneum, the town where Jesus did much of his ministry.  What a feeling to be there on the shores where he made Peter and John fishers of men.

Lastly, we went to the area where Jesus would have spoke to the multitude what we now call the "The Beattitudes."

We are now sitting in the dining room.  Relishing the day!

We are here!

We are all safely in Israel!

Took long enough but we are all excited to be here.

After arriving in Tel Aviv at our hotel we all gathered in the dining room for a buffet dinner. Afterwards some of us took a stroll along the path that runs behind our hotel along the shore of none other than the Sea of Galilee.  I love that stroll.

I am sure tomorrow more people will have access to internet and will give you a shout.

I will try to keep you posted everyday if possible.

Headed to bed for the first time since Monday morning!  :)

Follow us as we experience the Holy Land!

Off

Okay off to the airport.  If I forgot something I just forgot it!!!  I have my passport and boarding passes so I am set!!

See you all there at 1 pm!

It is still saying D44.  That is the first terminal you come to when you approach the departures. 

Frequent Flyer Number

You can use your frequent flyer number on this flight if they are a partner.  Just check frequent flyer 1st.  Add your number and last name.  Then it will ask your booking reference number.

I didn't know this until Jolene discovered it.  So I am going to ask them at the gate to add my Aeroplan number to it!!

YEAH!!

YEAH I HAVE IT!

The booking reference for the rest of the group is  47J8YT.  You can check in, print your boarding pass and be at the airport by 1 pm.  Go right through security to Gate D44.  Check monitor to see if that is still the gate.

You will need your expiry date on your passport.

REMEMBER DO NOT CHANGE YOUR SEAT if you are one that we asked to swap with someone.  Just check in using the seat that comes up.

Tip:  For those of you who can change your seat....the only ones I saw available were in the back of the plane.  They weren't good seats last time.  But that is your call.

Please let me know if you are having any problems checking in.

Also if you check in online would you please give me a call and let me know that  you did or shoot me an e-mail?

BON VOYAGE!

Booking Reference

This is the booking reference for those staying over only.  It won't work for those who are coming back March 24th.  We will try to get that one in the morning when they open.

BOOKING REF 2KBLTV

Brooks, Dehod, King, MacLeod, Melwood T

Online Check in

I was able to check in online and print my boarding pass!

We are going to call in the morning and see if they will give us the other booking references.  I only had the one for the people that were staying over. 

If they do Loro and I will try to contact you with your booking reference.

I will also post it here.

If we are able to obtain it and you check in and print your boarding pass you can go straight through security to the gate because you are not checking bags.

If you check in online then please be at the airport by 1 pm and go ahead and go through security to the gate.

Right now it is saying gate D44.  Check the monitors to make sure the gate hasn't changed.

I hope it all works out this way so you don't have such a long wait.

Two Things

If you show up with nothing more than your passport and your ticket (and the clothes you have on) you can at least go.  If not, you are stuck here.

2 things!

Thanks!

A big thank you to those who were willing to swap seats with those in need!

I knew you would be gracious and I was right!

Seats

I have the seating map with seats that were assigned by the tour company.  You can obtain one from me tonight.

Just for your information we had NOTHING to do with how they seated everyone.  We didn't have choices being a group.

There are a few seats that really need to be swapped so that a mother with a baby doesn't end up next to a window away from her husband, etc.

I will be asking some of you to swap seats for those types of situations tonight.  I hope you understand.  I know you will!!  Thank you in advance!

Downey Wrinkle Release Spray

Jolene has a large bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release Spray.  If you want to bring a travel size bottle she will fill it up for you at church tonight.

What's in Your Suitcase and Personal Bag?

	Packed		Packed
Lightweight Sweater (wearing on plane)		Tide spot remover Stick
Tops		Plastic hangers for clothes
Skirts		Antibacterial wipes
Tights		Ibrupofen, Antihistamines, Muscle relaxant, Antiacid, Imodium
Undergarments		Chapstick
Umbrella/Raincoat		Hair Spray, Gel,
Scarves		Small Shampoo and Conditioner (hotels have these taking 1 just in case)
Dressy Flats		Band-Aids/Polysporin
Walking Shoes (Wearing)		Vitamins
Lightweight Water Bottle		Sun glasses
Belt		Lens cleaning cloth and liquid
Shoulder purse		Spare reading glasses
Day Bag (one I am carrying on the plane)		Earplugs
Large Ziploc or plastic bag for laundry		Pen
Luggage Lock		Magazines
Alarm on my Iphone/Charger/Ear Phones		Passport/Nexus
Travel Pillow		copies of important documents (leave extra copy here with someone)
Safety pins		Driver's License, International Driver's Licence, health insurance information
Sewing Kit		Travel Tickets
(Ziploc®) plastic bags large and small		Charge & ATM cards, US cash/Euros
Toothbrush in holder/Toothpaste/Floss sticks		Security pouch [worn under clothes]
Shaver with shaving cream bar attached		Camera, extra batteries,  charger
Comb		International Cell Phone
Deodorant-small travel size solid		Travel computer (power cord/adapters, Ethernet cable)
Nail clippers		Snacks-Almonds, Fiber One Bars, Yogurt Bars
Small Mirror
Ladies Personal Items

Medical Emergency Insurance

Reminder:  You must have Medical Emergency Insurance.  You can buy at the bank for a few dollars a day.  DON"T FORGET!!

Hangers

I take hangers from Superstore Joe's items.  3 Skirt hangers and 3 Shirt hangers.  They are lightweight and if they break they were free!

PACKED!!!

I finished packing!!!

I am going to post a list of what is in both bags in a different post.  You can use it to jog your memory for anything you are missing.

When I am checking in and when I board the plane I will have the  black personal bag on my back just to avoid questions about it’s size.  It is my personal item that is allowed...I call it my computer bag and I have my purse in it.
When walking through the airport I attach it to my carry on to alleviate weight on my back.  It weighs 10 lbs. 
My carry on weighs just under 18 lbs..

 

Oops!

Don't assume that the clothes you pick to take to Israel still fit!  LOL!  Just learned that in my try on session before packing in suitcase. 

Try all the outfits on before taking!

Also make sure everything will go with more than one top or skirt.  See how many combinations you can make with an item before deciding to take it.  The more combinations an item can be put with and if it's lightwieght then  make it a must take.

Heavier items that can only be worn with 1 item are rejects.

Cameras

Be sure and reset the time on your camera when you arrive.

Weather

Yeah!!  Weather looking fabulous so far in the 10 day forecast.  Hope you are right this time weatherman!!!! 

Sun and near perfect temp Israel and Jordan!

H20

Water!!! 

You can purchase water on the bus for 1.00 per bottle. 

Another idea I am going to try this year is taking my super light weight water bottle from Starbucks.  I will fill it at the dining room every morning and then again at dinner time.  I may need to buy a bottle during the afternoon but for the most part that will cover it! 

I carry my water bottle anyways for the plane.  I ask the flight attendant to fill my bottle from theirs.  Better than getting a small glass at a time.  You can get really dry on the plane. 

Packing Clothes

I am starting to pack!  I wanted to show you how I am doing it.  You will love having your clothes in ziplocks when you go through Israeli Customs.  They rummage through your suitcase in front of everyone.  If you have it in ziplocks they leave it in the bag.

You will also love that it stays neat.  Everything is in its place when you need it.

I use ziplocks for everything as you will see in the final packing video. 

Dale Norris used to tease my boys when they worked for him because they always had lunch in ziplocks. 

GO ZIPLOCKS! 

Clothes for Trip

I wanted to show you the clothes I am taking to Israel.  I am posting just seven of the combinations that I can make with what I am taking..  There are far more combos that I will wear than I am posting.  Each top can be worn with the jean skirt or either black skirt I am taking.  Also the tops can be worn in different combinations.  Example; the white Tshirt can be worn with most of the vest and tops that the black Tshirt can be worn with making it another outfit with each one of them.

The combinations are more than enough for the 11 day Israel/Jodan trip and then the Sicily week and Frankfurt 2 days.  I have dressy casual tops as well for the church services I will attend.

I take a lot of soft knit fabric because it is so comfortable and hangs out nice.

I am posting a video showing how I packed these items next.

Hopefully by Friday night I can post a video of what all will actually be in my suitcase and personal/computer bag. 

Remmber less is better!  If in doubt leave it out.

I will have to weigh the final packing and see if I need to take anything out after I get everything together.  If overweight then I start deleting non essential items such as extra clothing or snacks.

Happy Packing!

Wrinkle Release

If anyone finds the travel size wrinkle release can you post a comment here telling others where to get it?  Thanks!

US Cash

Don't wait until the last minute to get US Cash.  The rate is good and the bank said they are having a big demand for it right now. 

Small Bills

It is good to have some smaller US bills to buy water on the bus (1.00).  Taxi money if you go shopping at night.

Small souivners.  Bargain better with small bills.  Hold up 2.00 and say "2.00?"   If you have a 20 they will say "5.00".

So if you are able get some 1's, 5's and 10's as well as your 20's. 

Caution:  all bills are green.  Don't confuse a 20 for a 1 !!!  It happens often!

Remember the tip also to only have a small amount in your purse that you carry on the outside.  Store other cash in money belt or pouch underneath clothing.

Our preference is this belt one.  You can put on belt and flip over under your skirt or pants or you can pin to your skirt underneath by the tab section.  Holds passport as well.

Antihistamines

Many people suffer from allergies when they travel to new areas especially in the spring time.  It would be advisable to carry some non drowsy antihistamines on your trip. 

You can get the 24 hour non drowsy tablet.  Another method would be to use a 12 hour regular tablet at night to help you sleep and then a 12 hour non drowsy for the day.

Good quote!

He who would travel happily must travel light.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Good Tips I found

Make sure that someone knows your travel plans, and can deal with emergencies (do they have a key?) in your absence. Suspend your mail delivery, or have it forwarded appropriately (to a rented P.O. box if a long trip makes it necessary). Cancel your newspaper delivery. Inform your credit card issuer(s) of your travel dates & locations, else they might suspend your account(s) when unexpected charges appear from far afield. Make arrangements for the care of any pets in your charge. Adjust your thermostat settings & check its batteries as appropriate. Clean your toilets, and anything else prone to "growing" stuff when you're not around. Check your refrigerator & other storage locations for food that could spoil. Turn off taps, on washing machines and anything else that could leak or freeze while unattended. Dispose of your garbage.

Schedule the payment of any bills that might come due during your trip; switching to on-line payment options can facilitate this. If using a cellular telephone with a prepaid plan, ensure that it has sufficient remaining time. Inspect all your doors and windows to ensure that they are secure; garage doors can be "locked" by inserting a large bolt through one of the tracks in which the door rides (there are usually holes for this; if not, drill one). If you use an alarm service, notify them of your plans, and let them know who to contact for emergencies. If you live in snow country, consider how a virgin snowfall (or drift) makes it obvious that your house is unoccupied. When appropriate, arrange with a neighbour to create car and foot tracks into the house. Or even shovel/plow. Unplug things (don't just turn them off); your gadgets will be safer and more rested, and why pay for electricity to keep remote controls functional while you're away? That said, leaving a couple of lights on when you're away gives your house an "occupied" look; use energy-saving bulbs, ideally on a timer. For an even more crafty/elaborate approach, consider using a fake TV. Water your plants. Get Travel Insurance

One Week to Go!

The countdown has started!!!  One week to go!

Watching the weather and not liking it so far.  Lots of rain.  Hopefully that will all pass and we will have sunshine!  Be prepared with an umbrella and waterproof jacket. 

The temp has varied so much I am not sure what to take as of today.  I will make that decision closer to departure.

You will need a sweater or light jacket even if the forecast says it will be warm.  For the plane which can be very chilly, the nights, and Frankfurt.  This won't add weight to your suitcase if you wear it on the plane.

Also, we know we can never completely trust the weather man!  You don't want to get stuck without a sweater or jacket and be miserable.  Layering is for sure the key!

Adapter

Here is a pic of the adapter for Israel.

Remember the adapter is to allow you to connect your plug into the socket there.  IT IS NOT A CONVERTER. 

You will need a converter if you are bringing electrical devices that are 110 V only.  If they have a switch on your device that can switch it to 220 V then you don't need a converter only the adapter. 

Most camera chargers, phone chargers, computer chargers, etc have an internal converter and you only need the adapter. 

You can find out on the back of your device to see if it has input:  100-240V on it.

Any questions bring to church and either Loro or I can look at it and tell you if you  need a converter.

If you are plugging anything in however you DO NEED AN ADAPTER as pictured.  If you have more than one device to plug in bring more adapters.

Twitter Test

Testing my new blog feed to my twitter.

Hopefully everytime something is posted to the 2011 TC Israel Blog it will show a link in my twitter.

This blog is created for those who want to follow our trip to Israel and Jordan.

Also before we leave there will updates, information and tips as well.

Follow us!

Weather

The weather in Israel is like the weather in Calgary.....always changing!  That is another reason for layering!  Then you are prepared for whatever comes!

Click forecast button at the top of this blog under "Weather in Jerusalem-Israel" to get the current Jerusalem forecast.

TIP: Layer it and Wear it !

Don't pack it, wear it!  If you have bulkier clothing items wear them on the plane instead of filling your suitcase with them for two reasons.

They take up space and they take up precious weight!

Layer as much as you can also.  This way you can take other items you need in your suitcase! Also, you can "de-layer" and get more outfits out of the outfit.

Start with a basic under layer that is smooth and looks well on it's own.  Add a layer at a time with the longest layer being the bottom layer, working to the top layer with each layer being shorter than the last.

Each stage of the layering is an outfit on it's own.  Layer One Outfit, Layer One and Two Outfit, Layer One, Two and Three Outfit.  Viola!  Three outfits!  Maybe even Layer One and Layer Three Outfit!  Four outfits! 

Lightweight vests are great layering item.  These take up very little room and make an instant extra outfit.

Other items to add to your layers are scarves and belts. These pieces work as enhancers to your overall look and a scarf will add an extra layer of warmth.  A larger lightweight scarf can be used as an extra blanket on the plane as well.

If you keep most of your layers neutral it is easier to mix and match.  Items like your scarf can be printed and add personal style to your outfits.

Israel Preparations

Tonight we had our last meeting preparing for Israel 2011.  We are all looking forward to the trip.  We do have reservations about the unrest in that part of the world.  However, every year that we have gone there is some type of unrest that erupts right before we go! 

We have competent guides that will stay abreast of the current situations and change any plans that would put us at risk.

Follow us on this blog as we experience one of the most wonderful spiritual journey of a lifetime in the Holy Land!

Next post will most likely be from the airport as we are departing.