104 hours to fall in love
Life is so full of the unexpected, beautiful amazing things. Be open & magic can happen. That’s Taste if Israel 104 hours to fall in love.
Taste of Israel
Life is so full of the unexpected, beautiful amazing things, if youโll just let yourself be open. Sometimes thatโs tough because as humans we kind of like our predictability, our routines, our status quo and circle of life thatโs comfortable.
Travel to Israel
When I first got the invitation to be part of TOI (Taste of Israel), I wondered what it was. I had no idea who was inviting โmeโ to come spend, all expenses paid, five days in Israel. I was skeptical. I mean really weโve all heard the saying, โThere ainโt no free lunches in life!โ
However, I was intrigued. I was fascinated. I felt compelled to learn more and to trust my instincts. And, after some digging into the program, which is part of Stand with Us, talking to bloggers who went the previous year, emailing back and forth with Elad from TOI, and finally getting Ben, my husbandโs blessing, I was ready!
Visit Israel
I had no idea what to expect. There was no itinerary sent in advance. Flight reservations were received only within 48 hours of departure. I had no idea where I was staying in Tel Aviv when I arrived (and, yes, I was like Gomer Pyle at JFK when I went to check in with El Al Airlines and I was being bombarded with questions about my trip!)~~I only had my emails, my tickets from the Israeli Office of Tourism, and my bags packed.
Travel to Israel from US
Part of the adventure, the excitement, and the personal growth of this trip was going it aloneโonly meโthere was no Ben, my seasoned savvy traveler hubby, by my side. And, that push to be on my own started at JFK when I had to go from my domestic Delta flight to the international El Al flight.
After asking many people along the way, red jacket folks, where to go and what to do (and I learned that it would mean leaving the terminal and re-entering and going through security once again), I finally was escorted to the El Al area by none other than the head of JFKโs TSA Security, Paul Leyhโa delightful and quite dapper EnglishmanโI suppose I just hit pay dirt when I stopped to ask the lanky tall silver-haired handsome gentleman in a navy sport jacket and carrying an official looking clipboard about El Al!
And, obviously he saw the deer in the headlights look on my face, recognized a Southern accent and sensed my country bumpkin navigation skills! He was quite accommodating and genteelโthe antithesis of what one would think of a New Yorker. Settling into my seat on El Al, I was ready to fly halfway around the world ready to open a Pandora’s Box!
Traveling to Israel
Without boring you about the flight over, which was so exhilarating that I couldnโt sleep, and I was running on a near 24 day, I landed in Tel Aviv, got my luggage, wandered around aimlessly for about 30 minutes, then spotted my other comrades.
I knew none of them other than from their pictures and blogs, but I could tell by the immediate chemistry when we met, and probably using some of my psychology training background, that by the end of these about 104 hours, we were going to be friends for lifeโfoodie friends connected by a powerful DNA and passion that brings immediate understanding, compassion, and love.
Israeli People
Now the 5 of us were like a herd of aimless sheep wondering where to go. Yes, for about 20 minutes we were the blind leading the blindโwhere were these people who were supposed to meet us we wondered. There were other travel and tour guides standing around holding signs, but no TOI. Finally, we decided to clear Customs and walk out. As the doors opened, we say the big sign โTaste of Israelโ and smiling faces!
Food Culture in Israel
Super excited to taste the foods and explore the cuisine, I knew my adventurous palate was ready!
We were greeted by Eladโour main contactโan adorably cute and happy young guy who signed his emails โsweet wishesโโand Shira, a stunningly beautiful young woman who was also part of TOI. There was an undeniable electricity of excitement in the airโthere were hugs, and I sensed a tingly warmth that permeated the atmosphereโElad and Shira were there to whisk us away to the Dan Hotel and commence about 104 hours to fall in love!
See what can happen when you let yourself know that you can’t fail. A spirit of adventure and accepting the unknown are fertilizers of life that promote healthy growth. And, this positive growth makes us better people.
I LOVE ISRAEL ๐ฎ๐ฑ
YES!! I do, too! I want to go back! xoxx ~ALLY
Ally, I just love your “pack up & go” attitude and your willingness to ask for help when you need it. We’d miss out on a lot of opportunities in life and a lot of “impromptu people” (who generally end up as keepers!) were it not for the spirit of adventure. Grinnin’ from ear to ear!
You are sooooooooooo right…as an adventurer yourself drivin’ that 18-wheeler for years, you know the road of uncertainty and the journey that’s sometimes not well traveled!! xo
I am already missing everyone and Israel!
Missin’ you, too, darlin!! Loving seeing you in all my photos!! ๐ xo