On Thursday, we arrived in Israel after a long flight and a tiring day of traveling. We were welcomed by our Israeli friends and our Israeli tour guide Michal, as they sang songs to greet us. Everyone was exhausted and jet lagged as we made our way out of the airport onto our bus for the first time. After a long bus ride, we arrived at Kibbutz Gadot in the Golan Heights in northern Israel where it was unexpectedly chilly, but nice. The kibbutz welcomed us with a warm and delicious meal with chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and of course our favorite - HUMMUS!!

Our trip to Israel began like many other trips that were taken before ours. Students and young professionals who had signed up for an all-expenses paid trip to Israel, gathering at JFK, coming from different parts of the nation. Some participants already knowing each other, many not having met before at all. All of us wondering what lie ahead of us in the Holy Land. What we all knew for sure, was that the ninja turtle child and his posse causing chaos in the terminal was going to be the greatest challenge of our flight.