First day in Israel - look at the palm trees!

The wheels of the plane gently touched the asphalt of Ben Gorion Airport in Israel. We wished the same could have been said for the landing in Philly which was a lot shakier.

I was extremely excited to come back to my home country after five months away from home. But I was even more awed by the faces of the students as we walked from the gate to baggage claim. In every corner stood something new or different than what they were used to.

"All the signs are in Hebrew or Arabic!"

"Look at those palm trees"

"The employees here are much younger..."

That was just the begining... Outside the baggage claim we were congratudlated by the Israeli soldiers and Shachar, our third Educator.

They embraced us into a circle while singing Hevenu Shalom Aleichem.

Together we drove to Armon Hanatziv to see the walls of Jerusalem and view what awaits for us tomorrow.

Audrey led us through the Sh'Hechyanu service. And we went to settle down in our hotel for the night.

Tomorrow will be a new day with new exciting things to see, do and learn.

We are all looking forward. But also looking forward to go to sleep...