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.

The Turkish Shirt

Here's the orange shirt from Turkey (see earlier blog entry for explanation).

Some more pictures

Here's some great shots from the last few days. Keep checking Abby's facebook page as well for more pictures as it's easier to upload bulk to facebook.

We've been able to spend a few hours with Elana, but that's it. She really wants to spend her time with her new friends from many countries (most noteably Australia), so she sheepishly asked if could just see us when she gets home. What can I say?

More pictures are on facebook

Just put a bunch of Opening Ceremonies pictures on Abby's facebook page. Event finals were this morning and while Elana did not compete, she was there to support. USA picked up three more silvers and a bronze.

Here a short video of most of the team just after results this morning. Enjoy!

USA Takes Silver!

Trailing only the Israeli Junior national team, the US Team took silver this morning in the team competition. Elana finished 9th overall! It was neck and neck with Israel going into the final rotation, but Team USA faced the dreaded balance beam (which took it's toll), and Israel was vaulting. All in all, a good day. Better pictures and more details to follow when I get a few more minutes. Off to dinner...

Opening Ceremonies

It's very late here (12:38am), but here's some pictures from an overwhelming opening ceremonies tonight. I can't explain the feeling of watching your daughter walk into a stadium full of people representing the the United States. Abby and I were both in tears. The ceremonies were amazing with a surprisingly high production value. Oh, and lest I forget to mention that we watched a young man from Turkey take off his shirt and give it to Elana, which she then wore for the rest of the night. She may now be married...

Competion early tomorrow. More then... and more pictures but I have to get to sleep.