Well it's been almost a week since I arrived. It feels so much longer. I have been in Nablus, West Bank till today and I have met some wonderful people there. Everyday N and M and I left the house at 7:45 am to go to school where I helped put notes together and sometimes with lab. When I didn't have much to do I played games or talked to people. We ordered real good food at lunch which was more than enough for all of us. It was yummy.
Yesterday N and I went for a walk around the neighborhood with a neighbor and some kids. We got to see the area around where they live and spend some time with the local people. From the area we were at we could see a glimpse of the Mediterranean sea. We also saw an amazing sunset.
Today we arrived in Jerusalem, and after checking in at the hotel we went and walked around the old city of Jerusalem. Parts of the historic sights of where Jesus was judged and killed.
It was interesting to say the least. Every where we walked there were people walking and selling things. Where the historic sights were, there was a church built on top of it or around it so you couldn't see much. It was a big maze and we barely found our way out.
We are back at the hotel now and tomorrow we will do something (not sure what yet) before N and M drop me off at the hotel. I start my tour on Saturday.
Hope to hear from you all later.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Some Pictures from my trip!
Well I know some of you read my journal, but I haven't seen any comments yet. Well, since I know you want to see some pictures I am going to put some of the sites from what I've seen so far.
On our drive from Jerusalem.
From N and M's house. View in our back yard.
I will write more stories later.
On our drive from Jerusalem.
From N and M's house. View in our back yard.
I will write more stories later.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Jerusalem to Nablus!
Hello everyone. I wanted to wait to write in my journal after I knew how many fo you were interested, and then our internet did not work yesterday. Sorry.
Well here are a few stories from my fist couple of days in Palestine.
N and M and the driver (Mustafa) picked me up from the airport about 3am. I had not problem at passport control. They asked me how long I will be staying in Israel and how I knew my friend in Jerusalem. Of course you don't say you are going to Nablus since it's a Palestinian territory. I went over to baggage claim and one of my suitcases came with the first few suitcases and my second one soon after. I had no problem with customs.
I waited a few minutes outside till N and M arrived. They said they had a few problems at the check point because the driver was an Arab Israeli.
We got in our Toyota SUV and headed to the hotel in Jerusalem. No one was on the roads and it was dark. We went through 2 check points and after 45 minutes we were at the hotel.
I was so glad to get a shower. After traveling for 2 days I don't think many people wanted to be around me.
We all had to sleep in the same bed since it was a small room with one bed. We tried to sleep but it was cold and after 20 minutes (thinking it had been 2 hours) we were awaken by the Muslim prayer. We tried again to sleep and I think we all had a not so good sleep of 2 hours. N and I went down to have breakfast. Real good fruit (persimmon), bread, cheese, and tea.
Our driver was there at 7:45 am and we were on our way to Nablus. We drove through hilly and white rock sights. Houses built on and in rock and in valleys. I never seen so much white.
After 30 minutes, we were at the check point to Nablus. We couldn't drive through (too many Israelites with guns) so we walked with everyone else through chain link fence with barbwire on top. Some drunk or stoned man with a wagon took our luggage through the check point. There was a driver waiting for us at the other side, who drove us to the school, and N and I to the house to put our stuff away.
We came back to the school and I got to meet some that work there. I also met some students. At lunch, we walked to the store across the street to get some pita and falafel and some unknown salad. I never had so many people stare at me (well maybe in Africa), but it felt different.
The food was real good, but a little dry. At about 2:30pm we went home and we didn't have much food so we ate some small frozen pizzas and watched Veronica Mars. It was so so cold.
Well that's it for now I will write about my first night here tomorrow, as it is time to go home soon.
Thanks for your interest in my adventure.
Well here are a few stories from my fist couple of days in Palestine.
N and M and the driver (Mustafa) picked me up from the airport about 3am. I had not problem at passport control. They asked me how long I will be staying in Israel and how I knew my friend in Jerusalem. Of course you don't say you are going to Nablus since it's a Palestinian territory. I went over to baggage claim and one of my suitcases came with the first few suitcases and my second one soon after. I had no problem with customs.
I waited a few minutes outside till N and M arrived. They said they had a few problems at the check point because the driver was an Arab Israeli.
We got in our Toyota SUV and headed to the hotel in Jerusalem. No one was on the roads and it was dark. We went through 2 check points and after 45 minutes we were at the hotel.
I was so glad to get a shower. After traveling for 2 days I don't think many people wanted to be around me.
We all had to sleep in the same bed since it was a small room with one bed. We tried to sleep but it was cold and after 20 minutes (thinking it had been 2 hours) we were awaken by the Muslim prayer. We tried again to sleep and I think we all had a not so good sleep of 2 hours. N and I went down to have breakfast. Real good fruit (persimmon), bread, cheese, and tea.
Our driver was there at 7:45 am and we were on our way to Nablus. We drove through hilly and white rock sights. Houses built on and in rock and in valleys. I never seen so much white.
After 30 minutes, we were at the check point to Nablus. We couldn't drive through (too many Israelites with guns) so we walked with everyone else through chain link fence with barbwire on top. Some drunk or stoned man with a wagon took our luggage through the check point. There was a driver waiting for us at the other side, who drove us to the school, and N and I to the house to put our stuff away.
We came back to the school and I got to meet some that work there. I also met some students. At lunch, we walked to the store across the street to get some pita and falafel and some unknown salad. I never had so many people stare at me (well maybe in Africa), but it felt different.
The food was real good, but a little dry. At about 2:30pm we went home and we didn't have much food so we ate some small frozen pizzas and watched Veronica Mars. It was so so cold.
Well that's it for now I will write about my first night here tomorrow, as it is time to go home soon.
Thanks for your interest in my adventure.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Amsterdam!
Just leaving Amsterdam. I spent the day with a friend (who I just met) who showed me around the city. I am so exhausted, I can't even walk straight. Soon I will be on my last flight to Tel Aviv.
The flight from LA was good, seemed real long. Everytime I woke up it seemed like we haven't gone very far. We got a real good dinner and breakfast. At breakfast I think I became invisible because the flight attendent forgot to give me water and breakfast, I had to ask.
We took a boat ride around the Canal in Amsterdam learning about the history of the city. We also went to Anne Frank's house and the palace.
Well, I will write more later. I can't seem to think right now.
I am doing well otherwise.
The flight from LA was good, seemed real long. Everytime I woke up it seemed like we haven't gone very far. We got a real good dinner and breakfast. At breakfast I think I became invisible because the flight attendent forgot to give me water and breakfast, I had to ask.
We took a boat ride around the Canal in Amsterdam learning about the history of the city. We also went to Anne Frank's house and the palace.
Well, I will write more later. I can't seem to think right now.
I am doing well otherwise.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
I'm in LA!
Hello everyone. I just got to LA a few hours ago. My flight from Maui to Honolulu was good, except I didn't kn0w I was going through there I thought it was direct to LA. So when we got to Honolulu they tell us that we might not be able to leave because they have a exit light missing and they are not allowed to fly. We eventually left at about 1am and I was over 2 hours late arriving in LA. We also had to take passengers from a flight to Alaska so we had to wait until they filled all the empty spots on the plane. It was so tight in my seat trying to sleep, but I dozed off a few times.
My wonderful friend was waiting for me in LA since 6:30am, but she got to take a nap before she had to pick me up. After a few drives around we found each other and we are currently in Santa Monica walking around the pier and shops.
Thanks for all your prayers and I will try to update you from Amsterdam. I leave LA at about 5:45 pm if the flight is on time.
My wonderful friend was waiting for me in LA since 6:30am, but she got to take a nap before she had to pick me up. After a few drives around we found each other and we are currently in Santa Monica walking around the pier and shops.
Thanks for all your prayers and I will try to update you from Amsterdam. I leave LA at about 5:45 pm if the flight is on time.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Itinerary and Hotel Information
Ok, so for those of you who care about where I will be, here is the information I have so far.
Wednesday February 14th I leave Maui at 9:30pm on Northwest Airlines. I arrive in LA at 7am. I will be spending time with my friend for a few hours, and than I leave LA at 5:45 pm. I arrive in Amsterdam at 1pm and will be spending some time in the city with a friend's cousin, before I leave on my 9pm flight to Tel Aviv. I arrive in Israel at 2:30am where I will be greeted by Swell and Sheepie. I am so excited to see them. I get to Israel early the 17th on Saturday.
February 17 to 23, I will be with Swell and Sheepie. And most of you know where that is.
February 23-24. - Mercure Marina Hotel in Tel Aviv. # 011-972-3-521-1777.
February 24-27. - Jordan River, Carmel in Tiberias # 011-972-4-671-4444.
February 27-28. - Novotel Thalassa at the Dead Sea # 011-972-8-955-3333.
February 28 - March 1. - Paradise Beersheba in Beersheba # 011-972-8-640-5444.
March 1 - 7. Grand Court Jerusalem in Jerusalem. # 011-972-2-591-7777.
I will also have a cell so if you really need to get a hold of me you can reach me on that number which I will give you when I get it. If by any chance you need to get a hold of me at the hotel you can just tell them that I am with "Legends' CTSP group". Also Friday and Saturday is our weekend days so many places are not open.
March 7th I leave Tel Aviv at 5:30am. I have a short layover in Amsterdam and I fly to Seattle for another short layover and I am on my way home.
Well I hope this information helps you some.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Wednesday February 14th I leave Maui at 9:30pm on Northwest Airlines. I arrive in LA at 7am. I will be spending time with my friend for a few hours, and than I leave LA at 5:45 pm. I arrive in Amsterdam at 1pm and will be spending some time in the city with a friend's cousin, before I leave on my 9pm flight to Tel Aviv. I arrive in Israel at 2:30am where I will be greeted by Swell and Sheepie. I am so excited to see them. I get to Israel early the 17th on Saturday.
February 17 to 23, I will be with Swell and Sheepie. And most of you know where that is.
February 23-24. - Mercure Marina Hotel in Tel Aviv. # 011-972-3-521-1777.
February 24-27. - Jordan River, Carmel in Tiberias # 011-972-4-671-4444.
February 27-28. - Novotel Thalassa at the Dead Sea # 011-972-8-955-3333.
February 28 - March 1. - Paradise Beersheba in Beersheba # 011-972-8-640-5444.
March 1 - 7. Grand Court Jerusalem in Jerusalem. # 011-972-2-591-7777.
I will also have a cell so if you really need to get a hold of me you can reach me on that number which I will give you when I get it. If by any chance you need to get a hold of me at the hotel you can just tell them that I am with "Legends' CTSP group". Also Friday and Saturday is our weekend days so many places are not open.
March 7th I leave Tel Aviv at 5:30am. I have a short layover in Amsterdam and I fly to Seattle for another short layover and I am on my way home.
Well I hope this information helps you some.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
I did it!
So I finally went in and got my hair cut. I donated 10 inches of my hair to the Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org). I have been growing it for over a year and I finally got the guts to do it.
Here is the before and after picture of how long my hair was and how short it is now.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
I hate smoking!
This post is for those neighbors who smoke outside and ruin my clean air that comes in the house and are giving me 2nd hand smoking. I hate the smell so here is a sign just for you.
Getting ready for my trip!
So I have less than 5 days to go until I leave for my trip to Israel. I am very excited about all the things that I will be seeing and all the people I will be meeting. I have much to prepare before I am ready to leave. Here is a list of all the things I need to have done before I am on my way.
1. Complete all my paperwork for work.
2. Buy more warm clothes.
3. Pack (after I do laundry)
4. Have my first Romania Team meeting.
5. Hair cut?
Well those are just some of the things that I have to get done in the next 5 days. The other day I went and bought myself a pair of closed toe shoes (Skechers) and I have been wearing them around the house to break them in. I feel like I am loosing all my circulation to my feet when I wear them. I haven't worn closed toe shoes for a long time and my feet have been used to slippers and are a little more flat and wide than usual. OH, man I think my feet are numb.
Anyways, tomorrow (Saturday) I was approved to work so I can finish all the paper work I need to do before I leave. It's good because I can cut a little out of my vacation day use.
Cold Israel here I come.
1. Complete all my paperwork for work.
2. Buy more warm clothes.
3. Pack (after I do laundry)
4. Have my first Romania Team meeting.
5. Hair cut?
Well those are just some of the things that I have to get done in the next 5 days. The other day I went and bought myself a pair of closed toe shoes (Skechers) and I have been wearing them around the house to break them in. I feel like I am loosing all my circulation to my feet when I wear them. I haven't worn closed toe shoes for a long time and my feet have been used to slippers and are a little more flat and wide than usual. OH, man I think my feet are numb.
Anyways, tomorrow (Saturday) I was approved to work so I can finish all the paper work I need to do before I leave. It's good because I can cut a little out of my vacation day use.
Cold Israel here I come.
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