Andrew's Israel 2000 Vacation

Thursday June 8, 2000
I check in at JFK's International TWA terminal B for my TWA Flight 884 leaving at 10:35pm. I had saved up 50,000 frequent flyer miles for a free trip to Israel. The flight is overbooked so I voluntarily give up my seat and TWA gives me the last seat on tomorrow nights flight, plus a free roundtrip economy ticket anywhere in the world that TWA flies. What a great way to start off my trip!

Friday June 9, 2000
Back to JFK airport. The flight is overbooked again but I don't want to take any chances this time and they weren't looking for volunteers so I decide to embark on my trip to Israel The flight goes quickly and takes about 10 hours and arrives the next day at 4:20pm. I adjust my watch for the 7 hour time difference.

Shalom! I arrive in Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.

Saturday June 10, 2000
After getting off the plane I go through a relatively painless security checkpoint. I already converted $200 in US dollars to shekels before the trip in New York. I locate the line for the sheruts (shared taxis) and we await until it fills with 7 passengers. The cost is 40 sheckels per persopn. The 50 minute ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is wonderful, as the ride on the highway goes through green fields and mountain sides. After dropping off several people at their stops we arrived at Wedgewood Street where my friend Rhea lives. Rhea and her parents are nice enough to allow me to stay at their house for the duration of my visit. After meeting Rhea's parents, Rhea and I go on a short orienattion walk to familiarize myslef with the German Colony (Moshava Germanit) area. Later that night I go to Cinematique to see the movie "The Hurricane" and have Israeli pizza for dinner

Sunday June 11, 2000
My sister Pat arrives on Wednesday....More to come.... for now here are some photos:

at the Jerusalem City Swimming Pool
Sataf hiking trail
Rhea from outside Herod's cave exit
Andrew coming out of Herod's cave
Andrew and Rhea at top of Sataf above water stream