And here we go!

Happy birthday, Gramma! 🎣

Departed Lincoln, NE - Monday, May 8, 5:33am CST

-Mom unable to check in on her phone; message said to go to airport

- moved to special line; they couldn’t find us; United personnel had to call and figure it out

-Security - backpack got flagged (makeup wipes)

-United asked for volunteers to check bags so we took the risk and gate checked them to TLV :/

-Berkshire Hathaway event in Omaha just ended last night so plane is full of shareholders from that event; $3200 purses with LV and pumpkins & $1200 black and white Vuitton sneakers walk by

-Man sitting next to us - no headphones or devices, Coke Zero // asked at the last minute what his travel secrets were with having no luggage or electronics. He said he had a carry on and a laptop bag up top. He was headed to Newark for work— Mars, Inc (candy co) Within the last five minutes of the flight, I tried to chat about the mascot of M&M’s and asked if I could pitch him some ideas for his planning meetings. I’m sure he was glad we were preoccupied for most of the flight.

-had to pee so bad. Window seat. Could not disturb my own mother or the man who was doing absolutely nothing.

Newark Airport had confusing signage & United maps app kept glitching. Had to exit terminals to get to Turkish airlines desk; they were closed (mom needed a refund) Went back through security but had plenty of time so that was all good.

Met a New Jersey lady in line ahead of us who was having some back pain; headed to Charlotte to visit her cousin.

Got the terminal and ate giant pizza slices that tasted delicious but were cold.

Terminal announcers kept apologizing for different things; little nervous about flight complications.

Mom was out walking and found out we needed to get to our gate— we had to go through additional security measures! I asked the guard if it was because it was an international flight she said, “No, it’s because it’s Israel.” :)

A lot of people at the gate saying “Rabbi” and looking like rabbis.

3:18pm All men are holding Hebrew books as they walk; not sure if it’s the time of day or the requirement

^afternoon prayer (Jewish men required to pray three times per day)

Got out a compass to determine which way was which… a little tiff about the direction

Met rechool (Rachel) across the table from me; she said they were traveling for the anniversary of the death of a famous rabbi (google this). She had the cutest, loudest voice :)

A lot of men— young and old, wearing prayer caps or prayer tassels; some with hats and curls and beards

Saw one young man vaping at the table after the leaving the prayer group early.

Lead guy wearing a blue button up and under armor cap; others more traditionally dressed.

Some joined in for the whole thing; some for a little

Reminds me that I saw a Muslim woman praying on the other side of the terminal… (they also pray 3x per day) As Christians, we are far less committed to that in public and elsewhere…

Row 30 - mom upgraded us to more leg room; we were at the front of the back - haha // B787 (massive plane) 3x3x3

Sat next to Salim, an incredibly kind New Jersey businessman who grew up in Jerusalem; has daughter who’s my age and son who’s 3 years younger than her (just like me & Shane) Going back for a visit for 2 weeks. Owns a grocery story in Jersey City with his father-in-law. Speaks and reads Arabic, Hebrew, & English. Muslim. Said we could poke him if he snores.

Dinner was delicious. Chicken stir fry with noodles and snap peas, an Italian salad mixture with grains. Bun & butter, Milk brand birthday cookie (Yay Grandma!)

Can’t remember when we went to sleep just that we made a mint tea & melatonin drink that helped. :)

Woke up to a snack being given. I accepted, put it on the floor and went back to sleep.

Woke up only a few times with a weird neck and/or a snore. Ack!

Woke again at 12:34am on my phone, 7:30am local TLV time woke to a lot of men getting dressed/undressed in even more traditional clothing. Silver sparkle shells on a headdress. Black ribbon straps on their arms attached to a black box of some kind. Seemingly unconcerned with how disruptive it was to the whole plane. Again, a total commitment to their morning prayer.

Mom is sleeping. She is just so beautiful. Just flew over Thessaloniki. We’ll be there Friday!

Now they’re serving breakfast. Eggs & waffles. Time for coffeeeeee

Pro Tip: Next time wear a sweatshirt with a hood and with pockets.

Easy Peasy exiting the Tel Aviv airport. Followed the crowd. Used a little ticket machine to get official paperwork saying we can be in the country. Walked through airport. Straight through customs. Waited for bags and they were there! So thrilling that they made it. Found our way out to the taxi line. Man was a little too shady for mom’s liking on price but we went with it. Took about 30 minutes to get to our hotel. He showed us the math on the calculator when we arrived. $44 USD

Hotel is faaaaaancy. Mom used points and then on top of that, they emailed her and gave her a complimentary upgrade. Room wasn’t quite ready so we grabbed a cappuccino and lemon water from the bar area. Hit the spot. And they comped it. So so nice.

Finally got our room keys and headed up to the 24th floor. The beautiful room overlooks the sea and the city. Absolutely glorious view! Showers & refresh then out to explore!

Walked to Jaffa Port ~1 mile

Jonah avoiding Ninevah

“But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.”

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter at the Tanner’s House

“And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭9‬:‭43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter Gets Called by Cornelius

“He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.””

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter Brings Tabitha Back to Life

“There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!” So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭9‬:‭36‬-‭43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lunch at W. Abouelafia (open since 1879)

Kebabs & Shewarma + “Salad” which was 12 different containers of stuff and pita

Cost was 205 shekels — oops. Didn’t mean to spend $70 USD on lunch!

Planned on walking back to hotel but making a stop at a corner store for cream and water. We walked past our hotel to get to the corner store but then saw this food market aisle so we continued on our trek. It was at least 1/2 mile of shop after shop after shop— spices, meats, fish, desserts, fresh fruit, Nike shorts, souvenirs— so much and so busy! It was awesome to experience. We found our way out and around through another street, (this one had guards?) which was all hand crafted vendors— super amazing and unique items but very pricey. Somehow managed to be much further from the hotel than we thought. All we bought was some instant coffee, 4 water bottles, and a small container of cream (we think).

Ended with 14,500 steps and in bed before 6pm local time. Watching the sun set behind the ocean from our hotel room.

What an amazing day (technically days, haha)!