Birmingham to Jerusalem


January 2-3, 2019
Travel from Birmingham to Jerusalem

We departed the house at 6:45 am to take the dogs to the kennel and then drive to Atlanta.  The drive to Atlanta Pre-Flight Airport Parking took 2 hrs, 15 minutes with little traffic.  We had reservations for the covered parking and were picked up immediately by a van for transport to the North Terminal and checking in with American.  All occurred without a hitch and we had time to have a leisurely lunch.  Our 1:35 pm flight to Philadelphia left on time and arrived a little early.  We had a 3 hr layover, which provided ample time.  Our 6:30 pm flight to Paris left 7 minutes early and arrived in Paris 30 minutes early.  We had a smooth flight, but didn’t get much sleep between dinner and breakfast on the 7 hr. flight; arrived at 7:30 am.  The connection at Charles de Gaulle was very easy and again we had a 3 hr layover.  Therefore, no hassles.  
After about 45 minutes at the gate, the security procedures started.  We were interviewed with numerous questions and appeared to pass, because we were issued a sticker for our passport and new boarding passes.  The other four people (Nikki, Lilia, Ann Kelly, and Ferrell from Samford)going on our tour of Israel apparently had some difficulty, because they were taken to a security room where their carryon luggage was searched and, as we found out later, their luggage was taken off the flight.  They did continue onto the flight – last to board the bus to take us to the El Al plane on at a remote site.  We left on time but had a fairly bumpy flight, because we were flying over the mountainous ranges and the Alps of Europe.  Arrival in Tel Aviv was on time and proceeding through passport control, etc. was very efficient.  Our baggage arrived, but that of our 4 friends did not.  The girls proceeded to lost luggage and there found out the fate of their luggage.  Maybe it would arrive late in the night or maybe not.  We met Jeff and prior group arrivals in the arrival hall and waited with the group for the last people to arrive at 5:40 pm from Zurich.  They arrived and by 6:45 pm we were on our way to Jerusalem and the Gloria Hotel in the old city.  The bus couldn’t make it into the old city; so we walked and our luggage was transported separately.  After checking in, we met for dinner in the dining room where we dined with Marla and Moe Hirschy from Birmingham.  Dinner was buffet style and tasted quite good after the 28+ hrs. of travel.  Then by 9:30 pm we were off to bed for some much-needed sleep.  Tomorrow will be a full day and we are to be on board the bus by 7:30 am.
Arrival at the Gloria Hotel

Comments

  1. EmilyJanuary 4, 2019 at 8:36 PM

    Glad your trip was smooth and that your luggage made it! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.

    ReplyDelete

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