Sacred Journey: from Alexandria, VA to Jericho, Palestine - More about the first day

As noted on my last entry, I had difficulty signing on to the internet from my computer. Several people attempted tirelessly and with some frustration to overcome the conflict. It was not to occur. I could have used the computers in the hotels, but the cost was escalating as we headed toward Jerusalem, sometimes as expensive as $24 per hour. I decided to be frugal and not spend the money for access.

So, I once again invite you to experience much of my sacred Journey. It was an incredible journey. One I hope each of you will someday experience. Ready to sign up for a tour – we can always arrange one with Dennis Dewey and Lynn White. Both are incredible storytellers and added much to the journey.

So, here is my journey day by day. One advantage is I can now include some pictures.

Monday afternoon, January 25, I board a small connector. Three rows across. As already mentioned: The trip to Newark was a rocky flight. My trip was delayed - the plane would not leave until 10 PM. Told them that would not work as I was to leave Newark at 10:50 PM. They put me on another flight and it was cancelled, but thankfully I was finally given a seat on a small commuter express jet. This was the last plane to leave the DC area due to weather conditions in the northeast. Initially the trip was like being on a roller coaster. No drinks served on this flight. The steward's head nearly touched the ceiling of the plane and he probably was no more than 5'10". Had the flight caused him to move upwards he easily could have sustained a concussion.


The trip from Newark to Tel Aviv was approx. 10 hours and 30 minutes. A long ride, but as I’ve learned, the return trip will be an additional 2 hours due to headwinds. It’s hard to imagine me sitting still in one place for over half a day.

Thanks to the internet, I’ve captured a copy of Continental Flight 777



Upon our arrival at Ben Guiron Airport we began the process of entering Israel with scrutiny of our passports and reasons for entry.



As you can see, this airport is huge. Today we began attaining the healthy goal of 10,000 steps per day.

Everyone checked through, we then loaded our motor coach, our means of transportation for the next week.

We arrived in Jericho, Palestine around 5 PM after driving through the Judean Mountains. During the drive to the Inter Continental Hotel in Jericho, we bypassed Jerusalem and descended to Jericho, some 4000 feet below Jerusalem.

The hotel is situated on the main road between Jericho And Jerusalem, only 15 minutes from the Dead Sea, set in a vast area of palm gardens, offering stunning views on each side. The accommodations were incredible. King sized beds, clean, and luxurious. A place of quality, this would be the best of the places where we slept.

Thoughts of Tuesday, January 26, is filled with excitement about visits to sites in Jericho, Nazareth, and our our final destination of the day: Tiberias.