Home Sweet Home

Home safe and sound! Here's some pictures from our journey's final moments as Elana returned to Newark airport early Friday morning.

Splashing in the Mediterranean

We finally got some time with Elana on our final day - Tuesday. We spent a few hours in the morning just splashing around in the Med. She was already depressed about having to leave - "They're gonna make us leave!" Elana also ironically quipped that "It's so peaceful here in Israel" before being reminded of what might be going on outside of the Maccabiah universe and in other parts of Israel and the region.

Video of Elana being interviewed at Opening Ceremonies

http://www.jewishlifetv.com/video.php?user=The18thMaccabiahGames&video_id=303

Check out the video from JLTV at the above link. In case you missed the stream/telecast on JLTV, you can see the US Delegation entering the stadium. The gymnasts appear with inspirinig words of wisdom at about 13:20 of this segment.

Akko and the Lebanon Boarder

I'm sure Jess and Aaron will recognize the first picture! Kudos to Jess for correctly identifying Bubbee in the sunset picture.

Last night we participated in a Maccabi dinner which started with Havdalah (of course). Dara held the spice container while the Rabbi conducted the service.

We've also become quite friendly with the Koonitz's, who's son Sam is a junior boy gymnast who is coincidentally become good friends with Elana. That's all the info we have on that...

Today we visited the Lebanon boarder and the crusader town of Akko. The underground crusader city was neat, but the town of Akko is disgusting. Slow day tomorrow and then we leave... Hard to believe.

The final picture is Dara doing her favorite evening activity in the lobby of the Hotel. Thank God for wireless internet.

Some thoughts on food

The food here in Isreal has been "interesting". Some very good meals, and some terrible. There seems to be nothing in-between. We finally got some great Falafel, and then Dara found a "gormet" restaurant of her chosing. Pictures say it all...

Masada and The Dead Sea

A long, exhausting but great day of touring. We started on Masada and then progressed to the Dead Sea where Dara and Abby floated and two miracles happened. I found Pepsi and Dara found sprinkles for her chocolate ice cream. Neither seemed to exist in Israel prior to today!

The picture of me and Abby is on top of Masada (no, we did not walk up), and the sunset is over the Mediterranean from the restaurant we ate a great (non-kosher) meal in last night. (Guess who's head is in the shadow and win a prize).

Jerusalem

Jerusalem.... and Dara rides a camel. No more gymnastics and Elana has completely blown us off, so I will continue with some picutres of the trip and some additional shots from the opening ceremonies and gymnastics.