Day 1: Were here! It was a journey in itself just to get here. With the situation being tenuous in Israel, there was family pressure, emotional highs and lows and some very last-minute decision making before we even left for the airport, but were here! And Im so grateful that we are. It was a long plane ride, during which we all slept peacefully and arrived in Israel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Hahahaha... That was funny! Ok, so we were all desperate for a nap, but we pushed through and headed to our first destination, where we dipped our toes at the gorgeous Herzalia beach. (A consensus on how to spell that has been elusive). The view was stunning and gave us all pause, as we experienced the sheer beauty of the land. No rockets, no fear, no apprehension - Just peace, tranquillity and wonder. We heard later that sirens went off in Tel Aviv shortly after we left the airport, but the women who experienced it talked only of the amazing calm that settled over the large groups of people as they graciously protected themselves and then went on with their day. After the aforementioned nap (and for a brave few, an afternoon of banana boating), we heard from the trip director and Lori Palatnik herself, who is always an inspiration. We then went for dinner at the amazing, incredible, blow-your-mind Decks restaurant. The view in itself was indescribable. But thats not what Im referring to. This is where we got to really meet and be with the more than 200 other women on this mission. We ate, we talked and we danced. At first, if was a bunch of women dancing in a restaurant. And then it became a bunch of WOMEN from ALL OVER THE WORLD DANCING in a RESTAURANT! I really dont know how to put meaning to the words. We were different ladies from different parts of the globe, many of whom had never met. And then suddenly, we were one. The music, the energy, the power of our unity all came together and I felt the purpose of JWRP right then, on the first night. No, I dont remember most of their names (yet) and yes, Im still fairly groggy, but it is not hard to predict the bonds and lasting friendships that will emerge from this journey over the next 8 days. I cant wait... Shalom from Israel!
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 20:17:21 +0000
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