tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048488460945517673.post7925392086617040793..comments2023-12-07T16:02:04.056-08:00Comments on Woza Mark: 1982 Israel, Kibbutz Grofit to Kibbutz Dan TrekMark JS Esslemonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749586039279026148noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048488460945517673.post-28507447913918375162008-08-21T15:22:00.000-07:002008-08-21T15:22:00.000-07:00Email from SA family who went on a Holy Land trip:...Email from SA family who went on a Holy Land trip:<BR/><BR/>"We arrived safely in Jerusalem to extremely hot weather. The flight on Egypt Air was fine, food OK but not great. We soon found that Middle Eastern manners are not that great. A lot of people push and shove you out of the way - if they can get in front of you in the queue then they are happy...<BR/><BR/>We have done lots of walking and have to walk up or down 65 steps to the apartment. Hubby wants me here for a month so that I can come back home slim and trim! Hubby is enjoying admiring the beautiful young Israeli girls - most of whom are in army uniform as they have to do compulsory service.<BR/><BR/>We did a bus tour of Jerusalem and spent a whole day in the Old City - we went to see the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), Via Dolorosa, and lots of other places. We have been to various historical and biblical sites, including the Garden Tomb of Jesus - all of which were amazing. We also walked around the Old City wall...<BR/><BR/>It is so hot here that we will definitely not be following mom / gran's tradition and bring back loads of chocolates - they will not survive more than a few minutes in this heat...<BR/><BR/>C... is taking us to meet an old lady who became a dear friend of theirs' - she survived the Holocaust and recently told her story in the local newspaper.<BR/><BR/>Over the weekend we are driving from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee to see various places up there. On Sunday we are driving down to Masada and the Dead Sea, where we will have a swim and cover ourselves with Dead Sea mud, which apparently does wonders for the skin.<BR/><BR/>On Monday we will have to leave early to take the shuttle back to Tel Aviv and fly to Cairo. We will arrive at 1.10pm and will get a room and breakfast before we catch our flight back to SA at 2.40am. There are quick tours to the pyramids so will do what we can.<BR/><BR/>Most places charge in either Israeli shekels or US dollars, so we have to have our wits about us to check prices. A cuppacino costs 11 shekels. We have enjoyed their coffee and their pastries are delicious, but we will definitely not be coming home fatter than when we left - we have done so much walking and have lots more to do...<BR/><BR/>Enjoy the cool weather..."Mark JS Esslemonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05749586039279026148noreply@blogger.com