So finally we’ve made it to Tel Aviv! The flight from Vienna was pleasant and again the kosher airline food generally above par. I sat next to a wonderful young woman, a dual Austrian/Israeli citizen, and her infant son on their way to Israel to visit her parents. She was a fountain of information and her son was an amazing traveler. He’s going to be extremely intelligent if my short interactions with him are any indications. He’s already got the bull by the horns.
After getting through passport control, baggage claims, and customs (surprisingly quick and easy) we met up with our guide, medic/security guard, and driver. All of them are awesome. The guide is a Brit who made alia 18 years ago and he’s very upbeat and a kid at heart. After a basic orientation and everyone picking up Israeli cell phones and loading the bus, we hopped on the bus for the 3.5ish hour drive to Kibbutz Makia up very near the Lebanese border just across the valley from the Golan Heights. We’re now all fed (kosher of course) and heading to catch some Zs in order to be ready for tomorrows hikes and the hot springs. I’m slowly learning names and faces but everyone has an interesting story to tell. Anyway, I’m off to bed. Until tomorrow!
