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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 7:45:22 GMT
My sister & a group from her church are about to leave
on their 3rd mission trip there. I'm looking forward to
their blog stories & piks!
My brother-in-law has been twice, and I love
his stories & photos also!
I wasn't interested in going until recently....DH & I think
it would be awesome!!!
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Post by monklady123 on May 25, 2016 9:34:27 GMT
I have! It was the trip of a lifetime. I went with people from my church and another church whose pastor was friends with my pastor. We went with a group called EO Travel. We had a fabulous FABULOUS guide, in fact she had been requested by my pastor's friend and he had to wait almost a year to get this guide on our trip. She was Jewish and our bus driver was Muslim. They always worked together and between the two of them there was no situation they couldn't get through or out of. One day we were trying to navigate through the narrow streets outside the Old City and Hannah (the guide) was talking on the PA, then she said "please wait one moment while I help Ahmed arrange something". Then she got off the bus and we heard her shouting Hebrew at something, while Ahmed stuck his head out the window and shouted in Arabic. lol. Then she calmly got back on the bus and off we went. The whole trip was wonderful, but a couple highlights that stand out for me: -- walking up the steps of the old Temple in Jerusalem and knowing that I was walking on the exact steps that Jesus walked. We know that because that was the entrance to the temple and Jesus was a good Jew and so therefore must have gone to the temple since it was required. -- the late afternoon when we arrived in Jerusalem... there's an overlook where you can stop and see the city with the Dome of the Rock in the middle. Our guide pulled out some bottles of wine and small cups, and we drank to a prayer and scripture as we looked out over Jerusalem. -- every stop was accompanied by scripture reading that either took place in that location or that referred to that location. After all the time I've spent studying scripture it was just amazing to see the real location. -- floating in the Dead Sea -- going through checkpoints and the wall into Arab areas.  Our guide had to get off the bus at the checkpoint, because the Israeli government will not allow Jewish citizens into Arab areas. There's a rest area at the checkpoint for the guides to wait. An Arab man got on in her place and we were allowed through the checkpoint. We happened to be there while the city was celebrating its 10,000th anniversary. Yes, 10,000!!  I could go on and on. It was such a wonderful trip. eta: What is a "mission" trip to Israel? Just curious... |
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 9:59:45 GMT
@monklady....Wow! Loved all your stories!!!!!!  3 summers ago, I thought it was fun / ironic that on the same day my sis, her hubbs, & their group were floating in the Dead Sea, my Dad & I were floating in the Gulf of Mexico at the beach in Corpus Christi ("Body of Christ") , Texas I honestly don't know what their mission is... but I'll try to post my sister's description. Their first trip was an intensive bible study; the way you described yours. |
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832 
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Post by tuesdaysgone on May 25, 2016 10:05:10 GMT
I've been and I loved it. I'm not an especially religious person, so my experience might be slightly different from others. We spent a week in and around Jerusalem and every day was packed with activities. During that week we also visited the Dead Sea and Masada. We spent another week in the northern part of the country.
My greatest memories are the natural beauty and the food. Wonderful food!
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 10:27:06 GMT
monklady123 : UGH! I hope these will post....Photobucket is being SO annoying today!! These are just two of several other things my sister posted, since you asked : 
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
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Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on May 25, 2016 10:28:17 GMT
I've never been. I do know a lot of people who have been and they said it was wonderful and wanted to go back.
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Post by elaine on May 25, 2016 10:35:08 GMT
I've been a number of times - my sister has lived there for the past 20 years. I positively love Israel. My sister and her family (DH and 6 kids) are ultra-orthodox Jews, so my experiences have probably been a little different. Her first 10 years there, they lived in the Old City in Jerusalem, a couple of blocks from the Western Wall. Now they live in a suburb about 45 minutes from Jerusalem.
I did the tourist trips during my first couple of visits. Now I take the kids to the Jerusalem Zoo when I'm there and take time for myself or my mom and myself to go to Yad Vashem during each trip. It is a museum that is very similar to the Holocaust Museum in DC. The Dead Sea Scrolls are also housed there.
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 10:41:34 GMT
tuesdaysgone ....my sis told hubbs, our Dad, and I all about their visit to Masada last time ---WOW !!!! We'd never heard of it before then---amaaaazing !!! Not to mention a llllll the other gorgeous places they visited!!! And like you, my sis RAVED about the FOOD, too!!! I didn't expect to hear SO much about the FOOD, too---so that was an added bonus, since our entire family are FOODIES!!! Not only was it surprising/ FUN to hear her rave about the yummy food, but I was also surprised to learn that they stayed in very comfy hotels. Why? Because in MY silly mind, I pictured them in some dreary, rundown old house in the desert, sleeping on straw mats, surrounded by camels, etc. I only imagined it that way because ALLLL she talked about beforehand were their longggg hikes in the desert !!! All of them physically prepared for this trip for months beforehand, as one can imagine! I would NOT be able to deal with that constant heat or sunshine ALL DAY like they did!!!! I'd be wishing I was back in the SWEET hotel, swimming in the pool in the SHADE! I LOVE to walk, but just can't walk far at all anymore. If we ever go, it'd be nice to have an air-conditioned tour bus...!!!
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 11:28:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 10:41:49 GMT
I spent two weeks there many years ago and thought it was beautiful. The food was incredible.
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Post by elaine on May 25, 2016 10:43:40 GMT
The food IS amazing. My favorite meal in the world is a large Israeli breakfast - it is unlike any meal I've had elsewhere.
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 10:47:12 GMT
elaine.....how cool that you have family there! We've been to the Holocast Museum in DC  That's interesting what you said about the Dead Sea Scrolls being stored at the Yad Vashem ....maybe someday, hubbs and I will get to go.
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 11:06:31 GMT
elaine ...your post just reminded me of 2 other things. I'm originally from Washington, DC, and whenever the Holocast Museum was built, I remember everyone talking about it! Also, my Mom's dearest friend was a survivor. She and her mother escaped to Romania after her father was taken to a concentration camp  When I first entered that beautiful, HUGE sanctuary in the Holocast Museum many years ago, I just cried and cried for her and her mother
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Post by elaine on May 25, 2016 11:16:30 GMT
elaine ...your post just reminded me of 2 other things. I'm originally from Washington, DC, and whenever the Holocast Museum was built, I remember everyone talking about it! Also, my Mom's dearest friend was a survivor. She and her mother escaped to Romania after her father was taken to a concentration camp When I first entered that beautiful, HUGE sanctuary in the Holocast Museum many years ago, I just cried and cried for her and her mother It is an amazing museum. I'm glad to live near it. It always takes me a minimum of 4 hours to go through. Yad Vashem is also very interactive and you cross train tracks to go from room to rooms - reminding everyone of the train cars that took people to the camps. I hope that your sister can go. It is also worth it to rent the headphones with the narration. |
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Post by Linda on May 25, 2016 11:21:59 GMT
I went with my mum when I was 8.5 - we were living in Cyprus and my Dad won a trip for 2 from a raffle. He said he had had quite enough of 'seeing the world' thanks to the Army and wasn't interested in seeing any more of it so Mum took me instead.
It was awesome! I still have my journal from that trip and I scrapped the photos a while back. We stayed in a youth hostel - went to Bethleham and Masada, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem Zoo, Wailing Wall, and so much more. I would love to go back as an adult
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 11:26:39 GMT
elaine....I'm pretty sure my sis, hubbs, their church group, and my other brother-in-law have been to Yad Vashem. Their stories & piks are so awesome & numerous, so I can't keep track, but I can't imagine them NOT going there! , I recently learned from my sis that San Antonio also has a Holocast Museum (we used to live there, too---and plan to visit the museum on our next visit). My sis & some of her church peeps are very involved with Israeli issues/ remembering the Holocast; and I was touched by my sister's talk that she gave there (she sent me the audio of it; of course I would've LOVED to see/hear her in person!) She & her church peeps also met & got to know a Holocast survivor that spoke at the museum there. She gave my sister a copy of her book, and wrote in Hebrew & English "Never Forget."
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Post by scrappintoee on May 25, 2016 11:29:16 GMT
Another cool thing about my sis & her peeps' trip this time is that
they've collected written prayers from their loved ones/ church members and will be placing them in the wall.
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Post by monklady123 on May 25, 2016 11:48:35 GMT
I've been a number of times - my sister has lived there for the past 20 years. I positively love Israel. My sister and her family (DH and 6 kids) are ultra-orthodox Jews, so my experiences have probably been a little different. Her first 10 years there, they lived in the Old City in Jerusalem, a couple of blocks from the Western Wall. Now they live in a suburb about 45 minutes from Jerusalem. I did the tourist trips during my first couple of visits. Now I take the kids to the Jerusalem Zoo when I'm there and take time for myself or my mom and myself to go to Yad Vashem during each trip. It is a museum that is very similar to the Holocaust Museum in DC. The Dead Sea Scrolls are also housed there. Oh wait, I have to add a few more things to my list. lol. -- Yad Vashem -- I've been to the Holocaust museum here in DC of course, but this is much more moving (if that's possible... the one here in DC is also good for more than a few tears). Just being in Israel and seeing it all. -- being able to read the word "Yahweh" in Hebrew from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Just *seeing* the Dead Sea Scrolls in person, but then being able to read some of the Hebrew.... omg. |
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Post by monklady123 on May 25, 2016 11:51:20 GMT
The food IS amazing. My favorite meal in the world is a large Israeli breakfast - it is unlike any meal I've had elsewhere. Oh yes, AND the food, and especially that breakfast spread in the hotel. My plate was always filled with the most amazing things, none of which are on our American breakfast plates. lol. So many different kinds of salads, and various hummus-like things. Elaine, I'm just going to follow you through this thread and quote you as you remind me of more things that I loved about that trip. lol |
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,899
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on May 25, 2016 12:05:08 GMT
Yes, 20 years ago for one day, as part of a weekend cruise from Cyprus to Egypt to Israel then back. We weren't able to see Nazareth because of the everlasting political unrest, but we saw Jerusalem and the Wailing Wall and the golden dome from probably the same look-out point as you did, monklady123, then on to Bethlehem to see the "stable". And the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus too. Strangely enough, that had a huge effect on me. Walking the same dusty, hilly route through the rocks and olive trees as Jesus, Simon and Cleopas after the Crucifixion was very profound. |
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Post by monklady123 on May 25, 2016 12:08:17 GMT
Yes, 20 years ago for one day, as part of a weekend cruise from Cyprus to Egypt to Israel then back. We weren't able to see Nazareth because of the everlasting political unrest, but we saw Jerusalem and the Wailing Wall and the golden dome from probably the same look-out point as you did, monklady123 , then on to Bethlehem to see the "stable". And the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus too. Strangely enough, that had a huge effect on me. Walking the same dusty, hilly route through the rocks and olive trees as Jesus, Simon and Cleopas after the Crucifixion was very profound.Yes that too. That was the same feeling I got from walking up the steps at the Temple in Jerusalem. Looking out on those hills and walking through them... we've read about it and just to walk the same road.. yeah. |
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scrappinghappy
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“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
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Post by scrappinghappy on May 25, 2016 12:43:59 GMT
I've been many times as well. We have family that started a kibbutz near Haifa in 1948 and I have many first cousins still living there as well as nieces and nephews and grands near Jerusalem. Israel is steeped in so much History wherever you go that it is amazing from every religion. One of my favorite places is the B'hai Temple in Haifa. You stand at the temple entrance and look over the most magnificent gardens to the Mediterranean Sea. Then a little down the coast you can visit Acre, where the Knights Templar were based as they protected crusaders in the Middle Ages. In Bethlehem, you can see Rachel's tomb and walk where Jesus was born. Go to Jerusalem and there are so many holy sites from Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A visit to the Old City leaves you feeling like you entered the bible on market day. It can be crazy and chaotic. Go with a guide for sure because you can get totally lost in all the little alleyways if you don't know them well. Visit the tunnels under the Western Wall or stuff a prayer between the stones. Spend a few nights in Ein Gedi. You can get up at 4 am to hike the Snake Path up Massada in the dark so you can watch the sun rise over the Dead Sea. A truly awing experience. Then walk around Masada and here the history. A lovely fictional book about Masada is The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. If you've read it it helps you imagine the Roman Siege. You can also walk up the Roman Ramp, a much easier access to the top but it's a long drive around the mountains to get there. Take the cable car down before it gets too hot and go swim in the Dead Sea or hike to the waterfalls for a refreshing dip. Watch for life threatening flash floods if it's been raining. If you have time, and most tourists don't, go to Eilat. It's the southern most Israeli city and is a resort town with beautiful beaches. You can scuba dive or snorkel over the coral reefs, the aquarium is amazing and the night life rocks. Oh my, yes go! And maybe I'll come with. elaine , some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are actually in the Shrine of the Book which is part of the Israel Museum. This is open to the public. The rest are in the Rockefeller Museum in East Jerusalem which is not open to the public |
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Post by scrappintoee on Jun 10, 2016 20:18:53 GMT
I am so happy that my sister and her church peeps were back here safely before the horrible tragedy the other day! It was so sad, of course, but also WEIRD for me when I heard Jerusalem mentioned on the news, because it brought me back to my sister's recent Facebook post about "enjoying my coffee in beautiful Jerusalem" only a week or so earlier ! When she and her church peeps were about to go on another mission trip there a couple years ago, things seemed even MORE escalated there than usual, so I actually asked her to not go , but they did, and thank God, they've been 3 times now and nothing bad has happened. But going onto a fluffy topic, if anyone's interested---- ----I just wanted to tell y'all a cute story about my sister's photos from her trip. Of course, there was amaaaaazing scenery! And wow--- it was SO cool to see them placing peoples' written prayers into the famous wall, etc! The CUTE story is that my DH said all of her FOOD photos made him SO hungry! After talking a bit, I found out he's never had Challah !!!!!!  For those of you who know how YUMMY it is, isn't that a bummer for him? I'm not Jewish, but I grew up in the DC Metro Virginia area and Rockville Maryland, where we were SPOILED by lots of wonderful delis, Jewish grocery stores with awesome bakeries, etc! I also had a Jewish best friend whose Mom ALWAYS had yummy food at their house, and I got to try some unusual things, and her Mom would giggle at my facial expressions As an added bonus, I even got to have Shabbat once with them Ohhh, I wish I had piks of those times!!!! I was only 8 or 9 at the time, and didn't appreciate ANY of it----my friend and I giggled when her Dad sang in Hebrew, and I think he was mad about it----that's my entire memory of it, and being afraid to try some of the food ----WOW, to have photos of that !!!!!!! Anyhooo, I always LOVED Matzo crackers with butter, (but I never think to buy them!) and I haven't had Challah in yearssss!!! And I've never had yummier bagles than the ones in Maryland and New York! Sooooo, after DH telling me the other day that he would like to try Challah for the first time, he wondered if we can even get it here.....Thankfullllyyyyy, I know at LEAST one bakery where they make it, and that would be "Whole Foods"....I just hope they make it well !!! Normally, I wouldn't even say that, because almost every fresh bakery item we've had from Whole Foods is yummy----BUT----their sourdough bread is NOT that yummy to me---it's okay, BUT I am very picky about sourdough since having several kinds when we visited San Fransisco! P.S..... monklady123 ---You'd asked me what their mission trip to Israel entailed, and I just wondered if you saw my response That was only some of the things my sister had described. I honestly don't understand ALL of the "stuff" they do on their missions, but they had a lovely time, annnd they also hiked A LOT. |
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Post by rst on Jun 10, 2016 20:32:44 GMT
I grew up there between the ages of a year and 13. We lived in Bethlehem and for a while, near Hebron. I rode the bus to school in Jerusalem.
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scrapbug
Full Member
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Jun 26, 2014 0:11:46 GMT
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Post by scrapbug on Jun 10, 2016 21:47:27 GMT
No. I would LOVE to go, but with all the unrest in the area I think I would be too much of a woos.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jun 10, 2016 22:29:41 GMT
No, but I would love to see it.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jun 10, 2016 22:32:12 GMT
I have not but my sister-in-law went last year with a group from her church.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 10, 2016 23:08:59 GMT
I went in the early 90s and loved it - the history, food, connection to my faith - and that was before I knew about my relatives living in Tel Aviv and the fact that my ggg grandfather is buried in Safed so I definitely want to go back.
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Mary Kay Lady
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PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on Jun 11, 2016 6:37:37 GMT
I have never been, but would LOVE to go!
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Post by lucyg on Jun 11, 2016 6:58:42 GMT
I haven't been, but some of my family has. My niece who just graduated from college is leaving 9/1 to spend a year teaching there (she's been before), so I may visit for the first time in the next year. This is the niece I'm really close to. Assuming she doesn't end up canceling her plans, if the violence there is ramping up now. |
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Our guide had to get off the bus at the checkpoint, because the Israeli government will not allow Jewish citizens into Arab areas. There's a rest area at the checkpoint for the guides to wait. An Arab man got on in her place and we were allowed through the checkpoint. We happened to be there while the city was celebrating its 10,000th anniversary. Yes, 10,000!! 
For those of you who know how YUMMY it is, isn't that a bummer for him? 
