Arriving in Israel is a special thing.
To start with, there is the map on the plane that tracks the flight path. As I flew over the Mediterranean and watched our plane get closer and closer to its eastern edge, I was reminded once again how small Israel really is hemmed in by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. We began our descent long before we were over land. We went past the airport and did a quick U-Turn, landing from east to west.
And then… applause. Every time I’ve come the passengers have broken out in spontaneous applause. What, exactly, is behind that applause? Hopefully the next ten days will show us…
The Shyers and the Sheppards are already here, the Cohens arrive this evening and the Bernsteins and Rubins tomorrow morning. We will then officially begin our journey together. Until then, I plan to caffinate regularly and spend the day enjoying the city and dodging jet-lag!
L’Shalom,
Howard
