Back from Israel

I am back from an amazing 10 days in Israel. The trip was amazing and the staff I worked with were great. My participants also made it incredible to be there.

Here is a picture of me with my other staff, Shy and Assaf.

Here is one of me in front of the Western Wall.
Here is one of me overlooking Jerusalem at Sunset. The pictures was taken right near Hebrew University.

Almost Time For Israel

Here is my itinerary for my trip to Israel. I leave for NYC on Saturday and spending Sat night with about 7 friends that I met last summer on the Birthright Trip for dinner and drinks. Sunday I leave JFK for Tel Aviv and the fun begins.

Sunday, June 10 – Departure
Depart from JFK Airport at 2:30 PM
Arrive at airport four hours early

Monday, June 11 – Arrival
Landing at Ben Gurion Airport at 7:50 AM
Transfer to Ceasarea – welcome ceremony
Transfer North
Water Hike: Hatzbani River
Overnight: Kibbutz Nofei Gonen (Upper Galilee)

Tuesday, June 12 - North
Mt. Bental observation point & former Syrian bunker
Water Hike: Yahudia Nature Reserve
Golan Heights Winery – tour & tasting
Evening: Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Free night out in Tiberias
Overnight: Kibbutz Nofei Gonen (Upper Galilee)

Wednesday, June 13 – Galilee to Jerusalem
Walking tour of mystical Tzfat
Relaxing rafting on the Jordan River
Transfer to Jerusalem
Ha’as Promenade – overlook of Jerusalem
Prepare for Yad Vashem
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Thursday, June 14 – Jerusalem
Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
Mt. Herzl Nation Memorial
Free afternoon in the German Colony
Psik Theatre – modern Israeli theatre
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Friday, June 15 – Jerusalem
Welcome Israeli soldiers for ‘mifgash’ experience
Machane Yehuda outdoor market
Visit the sick at local hosptial
Tour of Israeli Parliament - Knesset
Prepare for Shabbat
Shabbat Program
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Saturday, June 16 – Shabbat in Jerusalem
Shabbat program
Local walking tour in Nachlaot neighborhood
Shabbat relaxation time
Havdallah – Conclusion of Shabbat
Ben Yehuda St. – evening out
Overnight: Kedem Towers (Jerusalem)

Sunday, June 17 – Jerusalem
Mitzpe Masua’a overlook in the Judean Hills
Tel Goded – Maccabean Caves
Rappelling in the Luzit caverns
Transfer South
Overnight: Massada I.Y.H.A (Dead Sea)

Monday, June 18 – Jerusalem
Transfer to Jerusalem
Climb Massada – Ancient desert mountain fortress
Nature Hike: Ein Gedi/ Nachal David - desert springs
Floating in the Dead Sea – lowest point on earth
Transfer to Negev
Desert camel ride
Bedouin hospitality & traditional “hafla” dinner feast
Evening: Bedouin tent bonfire (kumsitz)
Overnight: Ein Yorkeam (Negev)

Tuesday, June 19 – Tel Aviv
Transfer to Tel Aviv
Nachalat Binyamin artist market
Rabin Square
Swimming in the beaches of Tel Aviv
Night out in Tel Aviv
Overnight: Grand Beach Hotel (Tel Aviv)

Wednesday, June 20 – Depature
Walking tour through old Jaffa seaport
Independence Hall
Transfer to airport
Depart from Ben Gurion Airport at 4:35 PM
Land at JFK at 9:35 PM

Memorial Day Weekend at St Augustine

I spent the weekend in St Augustine with Amy. We had such an amazing time exploring the city.

Amy and I enjoyed exploring the cannons that the fort had. We got stuck in the cannons.

We found a random cannon in the park around St Augustine.

One of the highlights of the weekend was taking a ride on the river on a boat. We saw many dolphins and you can see some of the fins in these pics.

I head for Israel a week from Sunday and will be gone for 10 days. When there is someone so special in my life, it makes it hard to leave. I am ready to explore Israel again and have an amazing time again.

Starbucks

Amy and I went to Starbucks last night. Here is Amy enjoying her Green Tea Frap. It feels weird when I don't go to the Starbucks next to my branch. :)

Clearwater Beach with Amy

Amy and I spent last Saturday evening at Clearwater Beach. We walked around the pier and watched the sunset. You can see Amy trying to guide the sun down.



We made a stop on the way to the beach at Rita's Italian Ices. We both had a mint chocolate chip icee shake. It was so yummy.

Lander's Graduation

The Family weekend of events continued on Sunday with a trip up I-75 to the University of Florida, otherwise known as "Titletown, USA" for Lander's graduation. We continued the tradition in the Gold family of visiting TGI Fridays for a meal before or after graduation. Graduation was the next stop and it was a nice ceremony. Lander did his famous picture as he was crossing the stage.



Here is one of Lander and I after the ceremony. Notice the Mickey ears he is wearing and how Lander Chase Gold is spelled out on his hat so we knew where he was.

Character Breakfast

Another trip to Orlando was in store. The Gold family made a visit to the Contemporary Hotel and Chef Mickey for a nice Character Breakfast. It was nice especially with Hunter, Fara, Marin and Riley in town for Lander's graduation. Amy also decided to come and enjoy a nice day.