I have been home for 2 days, I am sitting in the Apple Store at the Chesnut Hill mall, which is located about 20 minutes west of Boston. I’m amazed that we all just all stood for a minute of silence to commemorate the week anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing. I was in Israel celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israel Independence Day, at the time of the bombing. How ironic, we were safer in Israel. Everyone we met were incredibly kind, and sympathetic to what we were all feeling!
I’m at the Apple store because my computer has crashed every time I try and play my movie…. 😦
Fast forward 7 hours later and I am still having problems. But, my movie is completed, not to my expectations, but its done.
I know I said I would be posting everyday, but I didn’t have any extra time.
Click on the picture to view the movie of some of the highlights.
I have well over 1500 pictures to go through…the good, the bad and the ugly!
Later in the week I will be posting more pictures to http://www.grs614.zenfolio.com if you’d like to look at them.
This was a wonderful trip with 40+ smart, compassionate, funny, thoughtful woman. We visited Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. We participated in a beautiful Havdalah service. Hiked up Masada, floated/dipped in the Dead Sea, went for a bike ride. Visited 2 schools, help paint a mural and heard the stories from a few Ethiopian Jewish woman’s journey to Israel, that would make us cry. We had dynamic speakers who taught us poetry, history and the revival of the Hebrew language. We visited a The Strauss company, which has a women CEO, the Carmel Winery who got their start from the Rothchild family. We commemorated Yom Hazikaron: Israel Memorial Day, probably one of the most heart wrenching nights we had. Toured the Western Wall tunnel, left notes at the Western Wall, and visited the old city in Jerusalem. Our final night was spent sharing our experience with each other. Many tears were shed that night and new connections made. All that was done in in 7 days….I was one of the lucky ones who flight home was cancelled and got to spend an extra day in Tel Aviv to rest and shop.
What an adventure, journey, experience…it was SABABA (hebrew for AWESOME)…I would have to see that I discovered a part of me that I didn’t know existed!
I would like to give a special shout out to Caryn and Stacey, thanks for being our “shepards”, this certainly was a trip I will not forget.
I am adding this last note….I woke up this morning thinking of the quote that Caryn shared with us by Maya Angelou. I’m sure she won’t mind if I share it…
I’ve learned that people FORGET what you said, people will FORGET what you did, but people will NEVER FORGET how you made them FEEL!
behind my LENS 
Ah, Gail, I’m happy to hear that you had such a wonderful trip. It’s always important when we discover new personal dimensions in the process. I am looking forward to all of the pictures!
thank YOU George….there will be more to come. It is going to take me awhile to get through them.
🙂
Beautifully pulled together. Gorgeous shot.
thank you Sharon, much appreciated and thanks for all your support!
I have already watched the video 4 times, and I am crying.. The music, photos and faces you put together capture the beauty of Israel, our trip and the connection we all felt during our special time in Israel together. You are truly talented, and I thank you for putting this together. It will forever allow me to relive our incredible mission.
thanks Abby!
I really appreciate your thoughtful comments, and all your support!
xo
Thanks for sharing these great photos. One of the things I love about your blog is that we have been able to see you develop and improve your craft as an artist over time. I have been a fan forever, but your framing, use of light and shadows to embrace your images and your ability to tell a unique story with each picture is just getting better and better. It helps of course when you have an incredible treasure trove of beauty like Israel as your backdrop. Nice job!
Norman, you are always so kind. A lot of these pictures were shot from the inside of the bus…I really need to figure out how to make them have more depth. Thanks for all your support!
xo
I’m happy for you that you enjoyed it so much this incredible trip, where you guys have learned all together about the Israeli culture, poetry, history and the Jewish language, very interesting and lots of new people have come to know…..such a nice experience you don’ forget! 🙂
thanks it is so true…especially making all these new znd stong fabulous connections!
Totally true:)
🙂
Gail, you did a beautiful rendition of our Mission to Israel- I especially liked the Boston-Haifa connection, the finished mural is amazing. You captured the essence of our trip in a way which words can not describe. Thank you for sharing! xo, Monique
thanks MO….I agree…I plan on doing a follow up video as well.
xo
Gail, Thank you for sharing you journey with the wonderful slideshow! There are so many great photos! It brought back many memories from when I had been in Israel so long ago!
Can’t wait to talk to you personally about your experience.
looking forward to it Marilyn, thanks for your support.
xo
Gail this video is amazing!! Thank you so much!!
xo
thank YOU Laurie..xo
🙂
Beautiful Gail. Just Sababa!!!!! 🙂
you listen to me 🙂 http://www.grs614.wordpress.com http://www.gailsphotoblog.wordpress.com http://www.grs614.zenfolio.com
I finally had a moment to sit back and really absorb your video. Loved it, felt as though I was along with you for the ride. I really liked your night shots of the Western Wall, very touching. All beautiful.
Elisa
I think those are my favorite as well…I didn’t really edit them as well as i would have liked to.
I thikn I may go back and do something…not sure, may B&W..sepia…My trip was great!!!
I’m glad you had a great trip, it looked like a wonderful personal journey as well as a new-friend-bonding journey. I can’t believe you’ve left and come back already. I’m a little stunned these days with the fast forward pace of time!
I know!!!!!