Rather than going with the group, we booked our own flights. Partly because I have some US Air miles to use and partly because I could get a better deal than the tour company to fly in First Class (remember....Ginger had back surgery in June and is doing well, but changing planes and sitting in coach for more than 13 hours would not help her recovery).
We booked flights from Charlotte to Newark on US Air, then Newark to Tel Aviv on United. The rest of the group, save one who was on our Newark/Tel Aviv leg, flew from Greensboro to Philadelphia, then to Tel Aviv.
At 5 PM, while waiting for our plane in Charlotte, I got a call from a lady in the main group. They were to have left Greensboro earlier, but their flight was cancelled due to snow in Philadelphia. Rick Sides got on the phone with me to see how we were doing. Our flights (both of them) were delayed, but showing that they were flying. Rick said his group may not get to Philadelphia in time to catch the flight to Tel Aviv. They may have to fly the next day. In that case, he said that we should go on to Tiberias and his group would join us a day late. As things were changing moment to moment, we decided to keep in touch.
At 6:30, Ginger and I boarded our Charlotte/Newark flight, then promptly celebrated that we are going to the Holy Land!!! We're really doing it. We're excited (my kids have told me I am in dire need of "selfie" lessons....you decide):
Then, we sat on the tarmac for almost 45 minutes. Traffic delays they said. We started to panic. Time to have a gin and tonic. Or two. Or more. And, we planned to eat in Newark as there was not a meal served on the flight (not that we would have wanted it anyway). So, the junk food snacks were devoured to soak up the alcohol. Yup. We're off to a GREAT start.
We arrived in Newark about 45 minutes past the scheduled landing. Earlier in the day, we received an e-mail from United saying the Tel Aviv flight was delayed an hour. Whew!!! That should give us enough time to get the bags, run to the United Terminal (on the other side of the airport terminal system), check in, get to the United lounge, pound down another drink or two, then board the flight.
While enjoying the United Club, we heard an announcement around 11 PM that the flight was getting ready to board. So, we headed to the gate. Only to find that we had to go through ANOTHER security check. We made the flight........but barely.
Settling into our seats, Andrew came by to introduce himself as our attendant. Could he get us anything? Champagne. But, after a taste, it was quickly traded in for wine. Then dinner came. Then personal movies, seat set to FLAT (wonderful seats in United), pillow and blanket, Ginger put the sleep mitt over her eyes, and "nighty night".
I set the alarm on my phone to wake me after 4 hours of sleep in hopes of starting to get on Israeli time (7 hours earlier than Eastern time). Woke up, got coffee, talked with the flight attendant, and watched as the rest of the passengers began to wakeup 2 hours later.
We arrived in Tel Aviv only 15 minutes past original estimated time (picked up some time in the air), and were greeted by Rick Sides in the Customs area. They MADE IT...just 30 minutes earlier than us!!! After gathering bags, we joined the rest of the group for the 2 + hour bus ride to the Royal Hotel in Tiberias.
Arrived at the Royal Hotel on the banks of the Sea of Galilee around 9 PM. Dark, so we have not seen the Sea of Galilee yet. Got the bags to the room, a quick dinner, then time for bed. For all except me. I checked e-mail, and then tried to sleep. But, the excitement plus jet lag has kept me awake. No problem. Gave me a chance to write the blog post. Besides, I can sleep when I'm dead.
So....we are in the Holy Land!!! The others will wake in a few hours. We'll get breakfast, then EXPERIENCE our first full day in the Holy Land.
More to follow!!!
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