En Route and Roaring to Go?

As the groups begin to straggle into Tel Aviv, we were saddened by the news that one couple couldn't make the trip due to Covid. Although recovered, the PCR test was positive and so they had to bow out.

Last night, the early arrivals from Berkeley and Los Angeles all went out for a great dinner at a restaurant that sits on the beach in Tel Aviv. The breeze off the Medditerian couple with great seafood and delightful conversation made for a near-perfect evening. 

Today was another story. As more groups navigated their way to Tel Aviv, reports of challenges mounted for our intrepid travelers. Missed flights. incomplete paperwork, and a close call with an airline technology glitch that nearly barred one of our group from boarding the plane.   

For those who did make it to Tel Aviv, the excitement of being here drowns out the travel frustrations. Pilgrims who have only met over Zoom are beginning to make in-person connections.  

One of the more crazy connections was made with our taxi driver, Mohammad.  This wonderful man ferries group after group from the airport with a smile and a lovely graciousness. He casually mentioned to Pastor Debbie that he was trying to get a visa to visit San Francisco, her old stomping ground and where several of our pilgrims live. He randomly asked her is she knew of La Val's Pizza, a well-known Berkeley institution. When she said yes, he went on to tell her that his father-in-law owned that restaurant and other beloved Middle Eastern restaurants. A very small world.  

The last of the group arrived in the wee hours of the morning - 12 hours after they were scheduled to arrive!  

The Cincinnati Seven with Mohammad

Diana and Debbie

Phil at SFO
The Los Gatos Gang -
Erica, Diana, Carolyn, and Dave

Ruth and Vent


San Francisco Sandra 


Lunch in Tel Aviv

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