We have just arrived in Jerusalem.

We spent most of the day driving to Jerusalem.  The drive to Jerusalem was no problem.  The drive in Jerusalem sucked!  Sucked big time.  But we made it in one piece.  We have already driven near the Old City.  Our Hotel is like about 15 min from the old city.  It is amazing, absolutely amazing....extremely spiritual.  Another thing is I am surprised just how small this area is.  Jerusalem, itself is a very large city, very quaint and almost has a town type of feel.  Very lovely and warm feeling.  We got more video (finally) and lots more pics...and now that I have a faster connection, I will make sure they get up on facebook!

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What a day!  Yesterday after our late night at the bar we had arrangments with Noah to take us to Caesaria, Haifa and Nazerath.  We all woke up EARLY! to make it to Noah's and our daily excursion.  Well plans did not quite make it.  Noah did not respond to my calls or texts so we decided to head to Caesaria but got a bit lost.  By that time Noah called....so we ended up dropping Chris back off at the hotel and Shawn and I headed out to get Noah and off to the excursion.

More to come later.   Off to breakfast.

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More pics


Here is a cute picture!

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Grabbing something to eat and then off to pick up Noah and then off to Haifa, Caesaria and Nazareth!

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1

Having a great time with Robert and Chris here in Israel.

here is a link to some new photos

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39742&l=1af87&id=548931777

Roberts has pretty much explained most all of out adventures

we are having lots fun and learning a great deal about Israeli culture and history. I don't mind the hotel Adiv. good breakfast  and quite location

Posted by: Shawn at September 11, 2008 04:04 PM (bNPeG)

2 the sea photo is really beautiful, upload more pics hehe
Israel is a very beautiful place, I think I'll move here too hehehe

Posted by: Luc at September 12, 2008 12:40 AM (TmxXe)

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Ok, it is now about  4:30 am and I have a wake up call for about 7:30 am!   So this is going to be fast and furious!

We got in from Jaffa and I did some minor computer upkeeping and I am trying to get those pics that Yair sent me but it wont download the damn file! LOL so when I see him tomorrow he is going to try to bring me a cd of the pics so that I can rip them directly from that.

After a couple of hours of resting and working...it was time to go to dinner.  We ended up at the Tel Aviv Port.  It is the fashion stop..and well I felt a bit out of place...but the food was good.  I think we took pics, I just dont recall.  Then we walked the port..and ended up at the rave place where Shawn and Chris were last night. This time it was more subdued and they were playing dance tunes...and it was a great time.  At this point, it was about midnight and we were not tired at all....so what to do?  We ended up back at Mike's Place...we heard this live band called the Israelites and they were pretty damn good tribute band to Bob Marley.  This is where things get interesting.  All of us Americans ended up basically together....there was about 8 of us there.  One of them was the cook of the bar his name is Noah.  He was a great guy to talk to and get to know.  He made the Aliyah about 11 months ago...and him and I basically talked for 3 hours about it.  Sufficet to say, it was a very enlightening experience...not to mention his advice on Israeli women (be forward be assertive) LOL.  Long story short, he is going to be our tour guide tomorrow.  He is going to take us to Nazerath, Caesaria, and Haifa!  He is going to take his camera and take semi-professional pictures and we should be back around 7 pm!

I told him I was very very interested in making the Aliyah and he was like DO IT....if you love it here...dont stop.  Just make it happen.  And he is going to give me tips so that I dont make some of the mistakes he did.

Man, what a way cool night!

Update on Lital's post, I will be working on one about our meeting...just focusing on that.  But, I have to sleep now.  Cya tomorrow!

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We last left our heros recovering from our meeting with the lovely and talented Lital.  Chris and Shawn ended up going to a Rave...both getting very drunk...and coming back to the hotel separately.

I ended up back at the hotel checked and worked on my classes and talked to Yair, who said he found it surreal that we are in Israel.    I think I feel asleep around 5 am, the complimentary breakfast is served from 7-10 am.  As you could probably guess we did not make it.  I don't think any of us got up before about 11 am....and probably later.  By noon we went across the street to a local steakhouse called WhiteWall and had brunch. (Yes we have pics).  At this point it seemed that we were going to divide up again....Shawn still didnt feel well from lastnight...I wanted to shop....and Chris wanted to go back to the beach.  At the hotel, we all ended up deciding to go to The Old City Jaffa.  What an excellent decision.  We headed out there by about 1:30 and well we just got back at about 6pm.  We were really all over the city...and it was amazing.  We ended up going down into the fortifications where they had some shops...and did a bit of shopping...I bought a mezzuzah took lots of pictures...probably over a hundred....the guys took more than that probably LOL.  We noted that this is the place where Napeolon reached during his invasion of Egypt....the site still had cannon's dating back to the Ottoman period facing the sea!  Around 4:30 we  headed back, but got sidetracked for a shopping excursion and a lite appitizer of humus with various sides and lamb and chicken kebabs.   I think I spent about $70 dollars there...got some nice gifts and knicknacks...and then we headed back to the hotel.

I think I have picked where I want to stay in Tel Aviv once the guys are gone....I want to stay at either the Sheraton or Dan Panaorama.  Both are near the beach.  Both are VERY nice. 

Now I am back at the hotel, resting a bit.  Checking my classes and then probably around 10 pm or so we will head out to dinner.  The night life in Tel Aviv is AMAZING.  This is when the city comes alive...the temperatures come down and the people come out.

All this time I have been wondering would I want to live here (not necessarily in Tel Aviv, but in Israel in general) and the answer after day 2 is ABSOLUTELY.  Everyone is more friendly here.  There is a stronger focus on the enjoyment of life.  It is simply fun!

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Here it is.  Just a taste for now!

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1 hey! long time no talk!
nice pic. hope to see more..
continue to have a great trip guys!  

Posted by: Dan at September 10, 2008 12:23 AM (G1kQs)

2 More will be coming...Yair just sent me back the file....that and I just woke up LOL.  I also have video!!!  Shawn and chris have more pics too

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at September 10, 2008 02:04 AM (bNPeG)

3 nice pic!! remember to post all the pics/videos also on facebook!
and thanks for the day 1 report, really nice to read
hehe in Italy we have the same parking problems. hope to read soon the day two report hey, give a kiss to Lital for me

Posted by: Luc at September 10, 2008 05:19 AM (TmxXe)

4 Lital said Hi to everyone.   Hopefully on the 16th we will see her again.

Tomorrow I have plans to see Yair and hopefully Adi. 

Oh we just got back in from Jaffa...so while day two isn't over just yet...i will post an update soon enough.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at September 10, 2008 08:36 AM (bNPeG)

5 Nice pic! What was the gift? hehe thanks for the updates. What a fantastic place to visit continue to have fun!

Posted by: steve at September 10, 2008 04:02 PM (9zucE)

6 I think that was maple syrup....from one of Shawn's gifts. 

I gave her a DVD collection of the entire Monterey Pop Festival.  I have a camcorder of her opening it.   But it is dark and needs to be lighted up so that will be done sometime soon.   I think I have about 15 min of her and us at the pub (Mike's Place).

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at September 10, 2008 06:09 PM (bNPeG)

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This was taken from a cab on the way to the pub this evening. Yeah I know it did not come out well.



This is Chris talking to Lital on my blackberry while we were in the pub in Allenby St.

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Here is a synopsis of day one. 

First, landing in Israel was amazing...and interestingly enough almost bittersweet.  Mixed emotions and hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed...these are just some of the thoughts I had.  Listening to the plane land with a majority Jewish occupancy of the jet....and hearing them clap at the landing...was very nice..and quite a contrast from the other flight...see most of them were returning home.

When we got to the airport we cleared customs pretty quickly.  Our visa is good for 3 months...Shawn and I got our luggage and by 5 am we got our car rental.  Shawn and I were both beat..but he wanted us to go to the hotel...check in..and then go back to David Ben Gurion Airport to pick up Chris...no problem..

So, we head out on Highway 1 west to Tel Aviv.  That was no problem...my first impression..was the similarity of Israel to Southern California.  Palm trees, lots of foilege and construction LOL

After an adventure in trying to learn how to navigate in Tel Aviv, we find our hotel and well to be honest, we were not impressed...and there was no freaking parking near the hotel.  We did not even try to check in...we wanted to find a place to eat..but (and you will hear this alot) driving and parking in Tel Aviv sucks!

After an hour of drivoing around we decide to head back to the airport...we get there and we end up getting a bite to eat at the commissary and wait for Chris.  After another hour we met up with Chris.  The we go to the car and wouldnt you know it...the car is dead.  It has a dead battery.  After about 30 min that got fixed and we were on our way.

The drive to Tel Aviv around 11:30 am was smooth...less traffic until we got in the city.  Since we had two hours to kill before we could check in...we ended up getting some lunch...and then we hiked up to the hotel......

At this point was our first deviation.  I wanted to rest..hell I needed to rest...I have basically been going non-stop since I got here.  I wanted to just take a shower and sleep since I knew Lital was working until 7pm.  No reason to call her before that.  The guys headed out their own way...they went to a local pub and then they took a dip in the Mediterranean Sea..and then Shawn rested whereas Chris explored a bit up the beaches.

While this was going on I was having minor issues with the hotel...a leak in the bathroom..and issues trying to charge up my PC and such...once those got worked out...I took a shower and ended up crashing until about 6:30 when Chris woke me up.

I called Lital and got her voice mail..waited a few minutes and then called again and reached her.  We were solid on the plans, but did not know where to go...and really what to do...or if she was going to be alone or with Tom.  (she was alone).  We ended up going to this pub in Allenby Avenue and you will see some of the pics of chris talking to her on my blackberry while we were indulging in some Goldstar.  Around 9 pm, we headed to Mikes Pub...this is where Lital was going to met us between 9 and 9:30.  We got there....and Chris was starving so we ordered appitizers and more goldstar LOL (can you see the running theme) LOL. 

About 9:30 Lital shows up..and immediately hugs us all.  It was GREAT to finally met the lovely and talented Lital.  She is just as friendly in person as she is on the phone and via email.  I know some of us were concerned about awkwardness and general nerves but I have to say...not for a minute.  It was a great experience from the start to the finish.  She said she did not even have to pay for parking, it was like the omens were all with us! (execpt for her car not working).

After being in the pub for over an hour, we decide to pile into Lital's well actually Tom's car and head to the restaurant.  I can't beleive I cant remeber the name of it..but it was still damn good and hehe the menu did not have English..it was French and Hebrew.  Luckily we had Lital to help translate. We just talked and talked and ate.  Shawn basically asked questions about the clips and such, which she answered.  The restaurant was excellent, when we did not enjoy the shrimp cocktail they gave beef tartar - Lital ate that.  And they gave us a complimentary desert as well which we all split. 

(Yes we have food porn pics, but that's on Shawn's camera).

Around 12:30 am, we started winding down.  We walked Lital to her car got my stuff from it and then we caught a cab back.  At this point we have our second diversion.  The guys wanted to go continue drinking and I was just too exhausted, so I came back and started typing this.

Anyway, this is the first day.  Minor issues...and dreams fulfilled.  If this is the way the trip is going to be...I dont want to go home.

Pics are coming, Yair is going to help fix some of the photos since they are dark since taken in a pub.  However, the next post will have some pics!

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Oh yes yes we have!

Pics will be posted up in a day.  In the meantime I am about to call the lovely and talented Lital so we will be able to met up for dinner!   How is that for our first day there! LOL

I will give a more detailed summary very soon.  Just know that we are here...we made it and have sort of settled in. 

Ok conversation done with Lital.  It is now trying to have her pick a place to met up....and spend the evening together.

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I finally figured out how to get online with this wireless system in London Heathrow.  So, yep...I am in London.  Chris and Shawn are already in air at this point.  Everything is cool......I am just sitting here waiting to find out what gate I need to head off too for the flight to David Ben Gurion Airport in London.   More updates once I land in Israel.

Talk to ya'll soon!

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1

And they are off!  Shawn made it to Heathrow and is now with Robert, they are boarding the plane for Tel Aviv.

 

Posted by: Laurie at September 08, 2008 01:33 PM (4kcdX)

2 Hey Laurie, thanks so much for the update! Hope to see some photos soon hehe

Posted by: Luc at September 09, 2008 12:17 AM (TmxXe)

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The Maverick is leading in the current gallup polls..and this does not even include the last days of the Republican convention!

This can't be good for the Messiah....but it's GOOD FOR ME!   

Palin has absolutely re-invigorated the Republican base!  And, I for one am now enthusasitically supporting the Maverick!  Go Palin go!

A nice way to begin the vacation!

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!I spoke with Chris and Shawn.  I leave first and have the longest traveling time.  Made the final arrangements.  At this point I have doubts if Shawn will make his second leg after I got the boarding pass, since it seems the close the gates like 20 min early.  At the very least he is going to cut it extremely close....but if he has to get his luggage...and drag it to the other terminal...no way..no way he will make it.  I wish him luck on that

Then I spoke to Chris.  I hope, by the time he lands, that I will have my luggage and the rental car nailed down.  Then all we will need is Chris and his luggage and then we are off to the hotel.  Sure, I dont think we will have a flawless experience, but this is at least a hope.

I got my seats for both legs of the flight...I made sure I got window seats for both.

Finally to close out the evening I got a note from Lital...reminding me to call her on the 9th....as if I could forget, if I did I am sure Shawn and Chris both would flog me for that mistake! LOL

Anyway, I am just finishing up finals..grading...and then I am going to crash.  Tomorrow I will just need to set up 2 new classes, do my participation and feedback.  All in all the lightest Sunday ever since I started teaching.

As if I need to say it, blogging will be light at least until I land.  And so begins my first true vacation!

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I am packed.  I think I got nearly everything in order. 

I am working on my classes tonight so I wont have any issues for it tomorrow...but beyond that...I am ready to go!  In about 15 min I will do my online boarding pass and seat assignments and thats it.

Now begins the first leg of my flight - the longest part a 10 hour flight from Arizona to London.  Then a 10 hour layover...in London...then almost a 6 hour flight to Tel Aviv.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at 07:19 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1

We are so excited for you!

I told Rob to expect a call around 1am so he's prepared.  We will head over to your place around Noonish to make sure you aren't forgetting everything, pick up some lunch and head off to the airport. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL  TIME!

It is not often that people have a dream their whole life, work hard to achieve that dream.  You have Robert.  Mom is smiling down on you with great pride.  We love you.  Be Safe

Posted by: Laurie at September 06, 2008 09:16 PM (4kcdX)

2 HEY, the flight to London is almost 10 hours.  If I leave at 7:30 as planned you should have that call from me closer to 5 am!   Not 1 am.  but either way it will be freaking early LOL..

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at September 06, 2008 10:09 PM (oHBxM)

3 so, finally the big adventure is about to start!! how you say in the US? mmm bon voyage, buon viaggio, well.. have a wonderful trip guys!!!
keep us updated!! hehe

Posted by: Luc at September 06, 2008 11:35 PM (gD7U4)

4 Both work for me hehe...

Thanks!

Yep, I will keep posting updates once we settle in...not to mention the pictures and eventually video.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at September 06, 2008 11:41 PM (oHBxM)

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Enur (featuring Natasha and mims) - Calibria 2007


More will be coming! 

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I really have a hard time grasping that in less than 2 days I will be headed to Israel.  Stunning....just wild!  Over a year of planning...discussing and now it is about done.  Almost everything is packed...I am probably closer to 80% done now.  I still have one large suitcase to go and some electronics..but thats it.  My house will be taken care of.  School will be handled in Israel.  I will be in contact with work, if needed.  I just need to do a load of laundry, general house work...and thats all she wrote.  Wow.  Just wow.

Tomorrow I am getting my perscription for anti-biotics (as my Dr. said - just in case).  I have to pick of Adi's B-day gift.  and I think that's it for the purchases.  Wow it is really hear! hehe.....

2 weeks..well almost 3 weeks of not being at work...and over two weeks of not being home..Honestly, I am going to see if I can leave a half day early...finish the few things I have to deal with...pay some bills...and just sort of relax on Saturday (except for reserving my seat and airline maintenance after 6pm).

Shit tomorrow I gotta do the Quit Claim and the Power of attorney.  I almost forgot LOL.  Then some cat supplies...hehe....But with that I am done...

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Kym Sims - To blind to see it


Shanice - I love your smile


The Good girls - Your sweetness is my weakness


Secret Ties - Dancing in my sleep


Shaman - Move every mountain



DAMN what a good day for dance clips!!!

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Yes, I know I have not blogged much about politics recently.  My mind is already in Israel. Yet, politics remain.  Today I got to listen to Rudy Guiliani's speech and I am now observing Governor Palin (Vice Presidential Candidate) speak.  DAMN...she is awesome!  I love to shots both of them took at the Messiah!

Palin = Shaq
Obama = Kobe after the Lakers lost and he to taste Shaq's ass!

Sarah Palin = Ivan Drago
Barack Obama = Apollo Creed and his Smashed-in Retard-brain

Sarah Palin = Rocky Balboa
Barack Obama = Ivan Drago

Sarah Palin - Rambo
Obama - Communists

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Are done - my CCs ALL set up for use in Israel!  WHOOO!!!

Damn I was getting ticked because some of them were trying to hard sell me on this optional insurance crap.  I was like just approve the card and make the freaking note...and dont try to upsell me with this crap.  If I wanted it I would sign up for it online!

Now, it's done and I am happy!

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Can you feel the excitement!!!

Wow, I cannot believe over a year's worth of planning is about to be over!  Yet, by Sunday that's it! 

I have to get only a few more things...but otherwise I think I am pretty much set.  Going to order the reservations for the tour.  Since we know Lital is going to be gone part of the time it will make scheduling the tours easier!

Shawn and Chris will need to see my follow up email about the tours.

Today I am calling the credit cards and alerting them to my travel plans.  I should get my Shekels today.  Today will be my last work out day....oh what else LOL  I have to go to Suncoast today to get some items I have on hold.  Also, I got a back up Blackberry battery but I cannot seem to track down a back up camcorder battery.  Oh well.

Beyond that, now I have to start working on my quit claim, and power of attorney.

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