Tonight is my last night in Israel - and I loved absolutely every aspect of this trip!
I arrived last Thursday morning on an overnight flight from Stansted to Tel Aviv. The security at the UK airport was a bit of a surprise (even after warnings from friends). I assumed that being a tall blond - with a rather innocent look - I'll pass through with flying colours... The first stop was at the check in - my pasport was taken away - someone was checking me in - whilst I went through a long process of security checks - no stripping - but I did have to take off my shoes. Managed this without getting upset. Even had enough time to run to the money exchange counter to get shome sheklas (I think this is the spelling) and do a little (little being the operative word) shopping. Israelis seem to have adapted the manana attitude from the Spaniards as even though on the check-in slip it said we were supposed to be at the gate at 21.40 nothing really happened till 22.40. Then I got picked out from the crowd - made their job easier - once again, being a tall blonde - finding me. I followed a young woman to a special room - where, once again, I was asked to take off my shoes and the belt and was scanned for weapons. Nothing too abusive - but took a reasonable amount of time. After that I was asked to leave everything in the room (including the wallet, phone etc.)and follow my guide back to the gate.
At that point the mayhem with 100 children has started. I have never seen so many children getting on one flight - I could see my plan to get a good sleep through the night fading away quickly, and quietly prayed that I'm not seated by a yelling baby. Before that happened though I had to wait for my hand luggage to turn up. It did eventually - after most of the child-bearing hord came through the gate and onto the plane.
Got to my seat to see that it was already taken by a huge Jewish guy. He moved reluctantly after an explanation from the stewardess.
Didn't get any sleep that night of course, so when I arrived in Tel Aviv, I was not only stressed (I had to find out how to get to the coach station) but also extremely tired.
After an hour's wait on the platform under the Ben Gurion Airport of Tel Aviv I got onto the train that took me straight to the city's main train station. Found the coach stop without much trouble - using my faint knowledge of Russian (everyone here speaks the languade!) - and was there on time, which cannot be said about the coaches! We waited and waited and then almost 1 hour later they turned up. As I knew that the trip to Eilat is going to take at least 5 hour I convinced the driver I need to sit in the front seat where the guide normally sits. It worked beautifully - only I couldn't get any sleep. On the coach I met Rami and Dror - salsa instructors from Tel Aviv and Liri - also from Tel Aviv.
We've arrived in Eilat at 5pm. I registered and picked up the keys to the room - found out that the room I got wasn't double as I requested but quadruple! The good twist on the whole thing was that I managed to get a refund of Waldek's (my friend from Poland who pulled out last minute)charge for the whole trip! Hurrrayyy!
The congress was absolutely fantastic - everything I expected and more. Pool parties, the parade, the atmosphere, the swimming at midnight, the jacuzzi in the afternoon, the parties during the night - the lot. Absolutely fantastic. The food was amazing too.
I spent my days there swimming in the morning - going to a couple of workshops - more swimming - jacuzzi - more swimming - dancing and coolind down in the pool. I met some fantastically warm people - everything I I heard about the place turned out to be true.
Today is the third day of our after-congress trip. On the first day we went to the Dead Sea - we had about 3 hours at the hotel by the beach - lunch first then a dip in the sea. I have never experienced anything like this. The waters of the Dead Sea are so salty (I think 40% salt, 60% water) that even when you are tring to go under you cannot. It is also very difficult to swim cause your body cannot immerse in the water so you end up kicking the air. We were told that the water there is very healing and cures most skin diseases...
After that we went to a Beduin camp for the night. The first attraction was the camel/donkey ride into the desert. Each of us got onto a camel and a donkey and we rode off (guided of course by Beduins). I got to ride a camel twice (every time a different one) as some of the people weren't that keen on it. My second camel was slightly bad tempered and kept kicking. Eventually we had to get off cause the experience got rather unpleasent (not to mention dangerous). I switched to a donkey. That was much more peaceful and very much like riding a little horse. When we got back to the village we were shown our tent and were greated by a member of one of the tribes, who, whilst we were served tea and coffee (Beduin style) explained the culture and habits of beduin people - he told us about changes that took place within the last ten years and how that affected their tribal system. After that he invited us to the supper. Once again we had some lovely food and retired to our tent.
The night of our stay in the Beduin camp was also the night of the finals of the European basketball Cup. Some of us decided to go to the nearest town to watch the game - Israelis lost by four points only which made everyone in the pup a bit bitter...
We left early next day to go to Jerusalem. What an amazing place - three cultures closed within one city. You can almost feel the history with the tips of your fingers... We spent the whole day walking around - admiring the sights and ended up in the biggest market in Israel for lunch - I got the biggest shawarma I ever had and some falafel. Stuffed myself insane again! I think it is because the food here is so good, of such high quality and so fresh that I cannot stop myself from stuffing my face. Have to slow down considerably. We left Jerusalem at about 5pm to go to a hotel in the mountains - beautiful sights - gorgeous place. Some of us left the luggage in our rooms and we went to a footbal pitch (Lior - the producer of the congress bought a ball before we left Jerusalem). I was a one man support team - as I didn't bring any trainers with me.
Today, instead of going to Cesarea, which was originally the plan, we went to some place not far from Tel Aviv for some team activities - paintballing amongst them. I can still feel the bruise on my left calf.
Now everyone has retired to their rooms for a bit of rest before the after-party tonight. I'm still here and not very sleepy so I guess I'll pop out to get some icecream and water and go up to the roof to chill out and then get ready to party.
All in all so far it's been a fantastic trip - and I'm definitely planning to come back next year.
