If you missed my other trip posts, read the Day #1 recap, the Day #2 recap, the Day #3 recap, and the Day #4 recap.
Day #5 of our Epic Trip to Italy and Israel with the Museum of the Bible was our first full day in Israel. We left early in the morning to head to the Mount of Olives.
It was cold and windy and I was SO glad I had brought layers to wear that day, even though it was supposed to get really hot.
From the Mount of Olives, we had an incredible view of the city. It was breath-taking, surreal, and overwhelming.
We then walked to the Garden of Gesthemane and went in a church right next to it. Then, we took the bus to get the view from the opposite side.
It felt so humbling to be walking in the ancient pathways of where so many incredible and world-changing events took place. It made me feel so small in contrast to how big this world is.
It’s good to be reminded of your smallness.
I was excited to find a tourist shop that sold Cafe Lattes and took American dollars. I hadn’t been able to exchange any money (yet) and so it was exciting to finally find a place that would take my dollars and give me shekels back. Plus, I really wanted to be able to bring some shekels back for my kids!
While we were out walking, we saw this. The Israelis told us it was where “they put the bombs when they find them.”
After that, we walked underground to explore Hezekiah’s waterway. It was pretty fascinating! Many of the groups were actually taking the wet tunnels — where I guess you would actually wade in water that’s up to a few feet deep!
We took the dry tunnel but got to feel some of the water in one of the sections (see above) and it was SO cold that I was very glad we were not taking the wet tunnel!
Our guide had told us at the beginning that there would be a few sections where it was a tight squeeze. Well, he wasn’t kidding!
We explored the drainage tunnels underneath the Old City and it was quite the adventure… in fact, it felt like we were never going to make it back above ground again. The tunnels just kept going and going and going and going! (See more pictures here and here and here.)
We finally made it above ground to this beautiful view!
After that, we headed to lunch where I ate fish that still had eyes and teeth intact… that was a first! 🙂
And then we took to the bus to the Israeli Antiquities Authority. This is a warehouse where they store thousands and thousands and thousands of artifacts that they loan out to various museums.
Our last stop was at a winery for a tour and then a beautiful dinner! We quickly discovered that Israelis know how to put on a very, very big spread of food. The appetizers alone are enough to fill you up. And then there are usually two entrees, more appetizers, bread, and dessert!
Gratefully, we were doing a LOT of walking to make up for all the calories we were consuming. I decided that I was going to eat all. the. things. Or, well, at least try as many different foods as possible. Because this might be the only time I’d be in Israel and I wanted to get the full experience!
To be continued tomorrow…
Drisdy says
Loving your Israel updates. Hope to go there sometime this year, and wanted some ideas! Thank you!
Jessica says
Such an incredible trip–what a blessing that it was paid for!
When I went to Israel, walking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel was a very fun memory! We did the wet tunnels–unforgettable! I hope you also went to the Dead Sea!
Crystal Paine says
Yes, we did! Stay tuned for the pictures! 🙂
Aimee says
Incredible! Would you recommend this type of trip for families or would it be more of a couples trip (I’m thinking something like this trip would be amazing once our kids are in the upper elementary/middle school years)
Mary says
Aimee, my husband and I went and really enjoyed sharing such a deeply spiritual experience together. We plan to go back with the family some day (our children are in their 20’s).
Crystal-thank you for posting your photos, it has brought on a deep longing to go back. We don’t want it to be a once in a lifetime experience; we are budgeting to go back.
On a funny note, on the last day of the tour it was customary for all those desiring an American breakfast to leave the hotel and walk to an American diner. My husband and I both looked at each other and wondered why have an American breakfast when there is a smorgasbord of beautiful and wonderful Middle Eastern food? We loved the entire experience!
Crystal Paine says
I hope it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, too. I want to take Jesse and the kids there to experience it, too!
Crystal Paine says
I think it’d be amazing if your kids are older.
Emily M. says
Very cool! My college-age daughter may have a chance to go to Israel for almost free this summer. She applied to the Birthright program – which is for Jewish kids. If she is accepted she’ll get to go for 10 days.
Crystal Paine says
They told us about the Birthright program… and it sounded so amazing! I hope she gets to go!
Alicia says
This has been so fun to follow along with you! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO glad… I’m having so much fun sharing!
Inbal says
I’m so happy you got to visit my beautiful country!
And that big grey container is for recycling, not bombs.. hehehe 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I thought it was weird… but that’s what the Israelis told us. Maybe they were just seeing how naive we were? Who knows!
Keelie Reason @ LoveHopeAdventure says
Thanks for sharing all these beautiful pictures with those of us who weren’t on the trip. 😀 I am so glad you got to experience this.
lizajane says
Great pictures….except I don’t want to eat anything that’s staring back at me! Ugh!! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
😉
Amys says
Would you consider a packing post? I would be interested to know how many pieces of clothing you brought and if you would pack anything differently?
Crystal Paine says
Great question!
I packed in a carry-on and did a lot of mix and match outfits with lots of layered options since the temperature changed a lot during the day as we traveled around. I ended up wearing everything I brought except the one black dress I brought, two knit skirts, and the Keen sandals (the night we were supposed to dress up, I opted for a black shirt, instead, since we went to the Wailing Wall that night, too, and had to do quite a bit of walking. It was colder than I thought it was going to be, the two knit skirts I brought just didn’t work for the weather, and I opted for my Sketchers instead of Keens because of it being colder.
I brought:
2 pairs of jeans (1 dressier, 1 more casual)
1 pair of slacks
1 denim tunic-type dress
5 pairs of leggings (to wear with longer shirts and under the knit dresses)
3 knit dresses
1 cardigan
5 long-sleeved knit shirts
4 short-sleeved knit shirts
2 tank tops
2 camis
1 long black skirt
2 shorter skirts
1 sweatshirt
1 pair of shorts
a leather jacket
PJs
4 scarves
4 pairs of shoes (Toms, dressier flats, Sketchers, and KEEN sandals)
Because we ended up changing clothes every evening for the dinners, I tried to bring enough nicer clothes to be able to change into at night. I think I ended up with a total of 16-18 different outfit combinations and only re-wore a few outfits throughout the trip.
We did a LOT of walking, so most nights, my clothes were sweaty and needed to be hand-washed.
I should have taken a picture of my actual luggage.
Amys says
Thanks! You fit a lot in a carryon! I’m trying to do the same for a two week Germany trip this summer. I will save your list. Thanks again and I’m enjoying your trip posts. I am a new follower of your blog too and I love it!
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
I love the updates so much! The photos & adventures are fantastic.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad you are enjoying them! I’m having so much fun writing them and re-living the memories!
Kandace says
The trip looks amazing! A trip to Israel is on my bucket list 🙂 How did you plan/arrange your trip? Did you use a travel agency or group program?
Crystal Paine says
Museum of the Bible planned, arranged, and paid for everything and took care of all of the itinerary and booking details.