Well, after getting off to a rocky start all is well.  Our flight was delayed leaving from Calgary and we had to really boot it to make our connecting flight to Tel Aviv.  We met the other half of our group from Toronto on the plane and everyone settled into the long overnight flight.

Israel, Israel, my heart still here resides.  Arrive at Ben Guorin Airport now feels like another trip to home.  Breathing the fresh, salty air of the Mediterranean Sea as I walked out of the stale air of airports and planes my heart was at peace.

It was about 11.15 a.m. local time when our tour began.  "Johnny", our tour guide met us with smiles and reassurance as he looked out at the 30 some weary, bleary eyed travelers before him.  A quick trip to Jaffa, the ancient port city where flash bulbs began in earnest.  To take in all that you see and hear is such a struggle when you are traveling in the land that you have heard stories told about time and time again.

On to the hotel, The Renaissance, grateful for a clean bed and an opportunity for fellowship.  With the waves of the Mediterranean lapping up on to the shore mere meters from my window, I sleep perchance to dream....