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See ALL the pictures from my trip so far!!

Bar Mitzvah in the Holy City

Hello! I'm only two days behind, lol

Tuesday, December 27th

When the Shuttle arrived in Jerusalem we were greeted with a ton of traffic! The cars in Israel are crazy and I am so glad I do not have to worry about driving.

I finally made it to Jaffa Gate, in the Old City Jerusalem. Since cars can not really drive into the Old City, this was as close as they could drop me. I walked through Jaffa Gate and immediately saw a tourist center where they gave me an easy to read map and informed me that my hostel, Citadel Youth Hostel, was only two blocks away.

I got to the Hostel easily and it was cooler then I expected. It has a very small reception area, like a cave and then expands upwards with stars and rooms. The rooftop has a beautiful view of the Old City! I am staying in a women's dorm room with 4 other women who are very nice and friendly.

After dropping off my stuff. I went to Rova Square to see the big Chanukah lighting, which was great and packed full of people. Then I called my cousin Josh and met up with them at a restaurant for some dinner. After dinner, I went back with them to their hotel and had coffee and dessert. We all then went for a stroll around the shopping center close to the Old City and then everyone walked me back to the Hostel. I was exhausted after a long day and went to bed to prepare for the next day when my 2nd cousin Sam was having his Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel.

Wednesday, December 28th

I woke up early in the morning to daven Shacharis at the Kotel. It was a beautiful experience. I then had some coffee and breakfast in the Old City at a cafe a block away from the Kotel. I visited the Moriah Bookstore, which had so much selection I had to refrain from purchasing the entire store, lol.

I then met up with all of the cousins near the entrance to the Davidson Archaeological Excavations by the Kotel for the Bar Mitzvah. After we all grouped together, we set off towards the location of the Bar Mitzvah service. The service was against the Western Wall on a beautiful private platform. Sam did an amazing job and his laining (Torah reading) was excellent. It was so nice to have all of our Israeli cousins there, as well as Sam's immediate family, his uncle, Jake and cousin Meyer and me!!

After the service, we all went to a yummy lunch to celebrate.

UGH, All of the lights just got turned off!!! haha, I will write more later!

Lila Tov (good night)

Love,

Elisa

Goodbye Big Apple. . .Hello Israel!

Hello!

I have a lot of catching up to do (it has been quite difficult to get internet)

Sunday, December 25th

After eating at Cafe Rimon, I went to the Jewish Heritage Museum, located in Battery Park. It was an amazing exhibit. I loved the area that discussed the Jewish underworld in Brooklyn from 1930-1960. Some of the toughest gangsters were Orthodox Jewish (never killing on Shabbat of course). This exhibit made me feel like less of a poser as I listened to rap on my iPod, those fools don't have anything on us, we were the original gangsters.

Then I went to Central Park, and then back to Washington Heights for some yummy Chinese food (I had to celebrate Christmas a little bit, lol)

Monday, December 26th

I woke up with a mix of emotions, sad to leave New York but buzzing with excitement for Israel. I packed up all my things and took the Subway to the West Side to meet Menashe for my final meal in the city. Then I was off to the Airport.

The cab driver, of course, dropped me off at the wrong terminal (even after I told him it was wrong, he argued and I gave up). After running to check in, I made it to the gate no problem.

The 9 and a half hour flight seemed like a century. Turkish Airlines was not as bad as I thought. That being said, they did not have the Kosher meal I ordered. Thank G-d Ariella packed me a HUGE dinner which was incredible! They had personal movie screens, which was cool and a ton of movie selection but I could not fall asleep at all!! After staying up the whole night (New York time) we finally get to Istanbul, Turkey. I had a couple of hours to spare and I thought the airport would have internet but I was wrong.

The next flight to Tel Aviv was only 2 and a half hours but I slept like a baby!

Tuesday, December 27th

Finally, I got to Israel!! I exchanged some dollars for shekels and got on a shuttle to Jerusalem. The women on the shuttle looks familiar and I actually knew her, she was in BBYO in Texas! 5 minutes in Israel and I was already running into people I knew!

I think I need to buy some more internet time, lol. I will post more soon!!!

Love,

Elisa

A Magical Melaveh Malkah

December 25th - 1:00 PM - Cafe Rimon

Hello all,

Last night was a great night. I met my friend at the subway station (I already feel like a New York expert) and we went to Times Square and had some delicious New York pizza. And then we went to Dave and Busters in the middle of Times Square played some games.

(By the way, I took pictures but the "card reader" I brought does not work with my new memory card, of course. I will try to figure it out, later today or tomorrow.)

After playing around we took the subway to the Upper West side. We ate dessert and coffee at this nice restaurant that was open till 4 in the morning! It was a great night, extremely memorable and the most fun evening I have had in awhile.

This morning I am ready to explore the city. I took a subway (actually 2 subways) to Crown Heights. I got coffee and had a delicious lunch at Cafe Rimon.

Now, I am headed to museums and then central park. I will keep you posted!!

Love,

Elisa

Shabbos in Washington Heights

December 24th - 6:00 pm - Ariella's Apartment

Shavua Tov! Shabbos just ended and I was sad to see it go. I had a great time in Washington Heights. Friday, my plane got in only 5 minutes late and I was able to take a taxi and make it to Ariella's apartment with a hour to get ready for Shabbos. It was really great to see Ariella again and to light the candles for Chanukah together. Then Shabbos came and we lit the candles and went to services at Mount Sinai. It was great (and a little overwhelming) to see how many young adults were there!

Dinner that night was great food and company. Shabbos day was fulfilling and warm. Shabbos lunch was with a sweet and intelligent young couple who had a beautiful little girl!

Ariella has work and I have plans with a friend. We are going to met at the subway station (typical New York). I am very excited for my first night out in New York. I will post about it tomorrow!

Love,

Elisa

In Transit. . . Finally Shabbos

December 23rd - 11:00 AM - On a Plane

My journey began this morning at 3:45 AM. Denver recently was hit with a snowstorm, so the roads to the airport were slightly obstructed, in addition to the holiday traffic, I was lucky to make it to the airport at 4:40 AM. After some confusion (on my part) of what airline I was flying on, I finally found the American airlines check-in. Of course the line is huge. I made it out with 45 minutes to get through security. After rushing around the airport, I made it to the gate on time, thank G-d.

One time zone later, I arrived in Dallas, realizing I needed to run to make my next flight. Those who know me best know that I am nothing, if not a fast walker. I made it to the gate with impeccable timing only to hear them announce a ten-minute delay of my flight. Great.

While I was waiting, my anticipation was rising. I have actually been to New York a couple of times on fun trips with my family but I was young and honestly, do not remember much. This trip is completely different and my heart is thumping with excitement.

We finally board and the pilot announces that we will only be 5 minutes later then our original arrival time, which is a relief because I have to get form the airport (LGA) to Ariella's apartment before Shabbos. My flight gets in at 2:25pm and Shabbos is at 4:17. The distance is close but the traffic will probably be terrible. I hope I will make it!

Until after Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Thanks for reading and check back soon for more (+ some pictures!)

Love,

Elisa

3 Days. . .

Welcome to my travel blog! I begin my voyage in 3 days. I will leave Friday, early morning, for New York and spend a few days in the Big Apple. On Monday I will begin my journey to Israel. I will not arrive in Israel until late Tuesday afternoon. Then I will be in Israel for almost two weeks. On my flight back to the US I will have a day layover in Istanbul, Turkey. Then back to New York and then finally back to Denver. I still have a lot to do to prepare for this great adventure.

Tomorrow my travel cell phone will be delivered and I will be sure to post the number because incoming calls are free.

I am still narrowing down where I am staying but in New York I will be staying with Ariella and I finally booked a hostel near the Old City in Jerusalem.

As plans come together, I will continue to post.

All the best,
Elisa