I know your thinking what a great place to start .... but actually I am going to write about our arrival and first evening. It's just that everyone is still sleeping and I saw the sunrise.
So we returned the car in Haifa and took a bus to Jerusalem it was an amazing way to see the countryside and experience the people. It was a little strange to see the soldiers on the bus walking up and down with their rifles but Ashleigh explained that if they ever lose their rifle the punishment is very severe. So Barry, Ashleigh and me got comfortable for the 2 hour ride to Jerusalem.
It was a little crazy with all the luggage and the security but we made it through the mall and out to the street and to the hotel. A little unpacking and we were off. Down the stairs and down King George past Agron (we did stop to point out Beit Nativ, and the balcony above Barry's head was Ash's room for 6 months) to Liberty Bell Park. Where Barry was going to meet some of his family for the first time.
Barry's work on his genealogy over the last few years has given him a much larger family than he thought he had. But one of the most reward discoveries has been the Israeli arm of
the family. Many years ago before I was even doing this blog Barry found Ari Applbaum in Israel (that story will have to wait for another blog) so when Samantha was in Israel for Nativ 26 she was the first member of the family to meet Ari. Then when Bubbie and I were here visiting Samantha we also were able to meet Ari and Na'ama. We had a suprise when we were in Boston back in 2007 for a wedding Ari had joined the David Project and he was going to be living in Boston for a while so Barry did finally get to meet his cousin. But time flies and Ari and Na'ama added some members to the family which up to last night only Ashleigh had met.
But last night we made up for lost time not only did Barry get to meet Na'ama but we both were able to meet the boys (and I must say cute twins do run in the Applbaum family) and as an added bonus Ari's parents also joined us. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening and a great way to start our stay in Jerusalem.
