Twenty-Three Years: Gone in a Heartbeat

Take note of how few people are in this photo.
That would radically change on September 30.

Because of my last name, I'd expected to be questioned by Israeli security upon my arrival. Betty had thoroughly prepped me to make sure to carry her contact information to prove I had a legitimate purpose for being in Israel. Not necessary. No one even cared. 

I walked out of the last passport-control checkpoint, and there they were, Doobie and Betty, with flowers, hugs and tears. I expected the hugs and tears but not the flowers, a gorgeous assortment of Gerbera Daisies and more. Betty obviously remembered how much I love flowers.

The pent-up years of not being together spilled out into conversations that last to this day, albeit via Facebook or Whatsapp now that I'm back in the States. They only stopped in person when my eyes got too tired to stay open. Unfortunately Doobie and Betty tend to be night owls while I am an early riser. 

In California we tend to think of distances as being something in excess of  three or four hours. Anything less is just a jaunt. I'd done my Mapquesting, so in my head I knew that Israeli distances would be more like a drive to Fresno or Visalia. We made it from Tel Aviv, on the coast, to Betty and Doobie's home at Kibbutz Massada in about three hours. We would have made it sooner except for the half-hour stop in Afula for a pee and a bite to eat. (I thought it took us 1.5 hours; either I was too tired, or time flies when you're having fun.) That's when I fell in love with Za'atar, a spice blend, which is available from Amazon, or make your own:  Za'atar Recipe.

A kibbutz near Afula has quite a claim to fame--as the only Israeli non-kosher meat producer, mostly pork. Because the Orthodox thought the land was being defiled by the pig farm, they tried to shut it down. Those clever Israelis found an ideal solution:  they built a wooden platform on which to place the swine. Note to Betty:  I actually met a woman from Kibbutz Mizra at the Visitors Bureau this week!

The road from Tel Aviv to Kibbutz Massada winds through lovely farmlands and rolling hills, until it descends down to the Jordan Valley. This was my first view of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley.

First view of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley

Kibbutz Massada would be slightly to the right of center in this photo. The hills in the distance are the Golan Heights. 

I think I fell in love with Israel the moment I saw this vista. 

The journey begins in earnest from this point.