![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
av8rmikeAfter we landed at Ben-Gurion Airport, we walked out onto the tarmac and into buses for the terminal. I was told people would be kissing the ground there, but I didn't see anyone doing it. We went through Immigration and baggage claim and finally met our guides and hosts. Dennis and Mandy (from Washington DC and Chicago, respectively) were the Hillel staff members that had come over with us. Natan is our tour guide and Sarit (yes, a woman) was our guard and first aid person, and well-armed at that. She had a military-style rifle that we were told she was not allowed to put down at any time. We first took the bus down the Mediterranean coast from Tel Aviv to the old city of Yaffa (map of Israel for reference). Natan pointed out various landmarks and told stoires about the founding of both Yaffa and Tel Aviv.
The weather isn't too bad so far. I'd guess it's only about 80-85 degees in the sun, but not humid like the east coast of the U.S. gets. Once we finally got to the hotel, I met my roommates, one of whom was Justin (that I met in the airport) and the other is a guy named Mike, from State College, PA, about a hour from where I grew up. In a few minutes we're heading down to dinner, but for now a few of us are hanging out on the hotel terrace, and I'm taking pictures. I swear everyone else on this trip smokes.
After dinner we had an orientation and "ice-breaker"-type meeting to learn everyone's names. There are 41 of us, and we get to share the same bus and activites at the same time. Natan offered to guide those of us who were interested down to the beach, as our hotel was only about three blocks from it. Since the other two Birthright buses showed up, one from Ohio State and one from a few west coast schools, there were about 50 of us going. I found this beach-front club and just had to take this picture for
Opal.
That's our guard, Sarit, in the foreground, with Dennis behind her. If you look closely, you can see the rifle she's carrying.
The weather isn't too bad so far. I'd guess it's only about 80-85 degees in the sun, but not humid like the east coast of the U.S. gets. Once we finally got to the hotel, I met my roommates, one of whom was Justin (that I met in the airport) and the other is a guy named Mike, from State College, PA, about a hour from where I grew up. In a few minutes we're heading down to dinner, but for now a few of us are hanging out on the hotel terrace, and I'm taking pictures. I swear everyone else on this trip smokes.
After dinner we had an orientation and "ice-breaker"-type meeting to learn everyone's names. There are 41 of us, and we get to share the same bus and activites at the same time. Natan offered to guide those of us who were interested down to the beach, as our hotel was only about three blocks from it. Since the other two Birthright buses showed up, one from Ohio State and one from a few west coast schools, there were about 50 of us going. I found this beach-front club and just had to take this picture for
Opal.That's our guard, Sarit, in the foreground, with Dennis behind her. If you look closely, you can see the rifle she's carrying.
