Israel Outdoors BlogRecently I had the opportunity to staff a cultural tour and adventure trek with Birthright/Taglit tour operator Israel Outdoors (Part of Authentic Israel) – their popular “Israel Quest” itinerary. This was my second time working with Israel Outdoors, and they’ve been consistently great to work with – fantastic trips, fantastic staffers, and fantastic participants! Here’s my first time working with them. I worked as one of two field staff members, and managed day-to-day group logistics and planning as well as conducted daily educational seminars and discussions. Israel Outdoors also covered the trip on their own blog.
The triangular memorial at the Gadot Overlook, Golan Heights, Israel.
Hiking in the beautiful mountains in the Golan Heights, Israel. Despite the hot climate, there were plenty of marshes, springs, and swimming holes.
Cooling off in one of the swimming holes along the Yehudiya Canyon Trail, Golan Heights, Israel. This is one of many beautiful swimming holes in the area, flanked by hexagon-shaped basalt columns.
Cooling off in one of the swimming holes along the Yehudiya Canyon Trail, Golan Heights, Israel. This is one of many beautiful swimming holes in the area, flanked by hexagon-shaped basalt columns.
Light streaming through the stained glass windows inside the Abuhav Synagogue, Tzfat, Israel. Wikipedia: The Abuhav Synagogue is a 15th-century synagogue in Safed, Israel, named after 15th-century Spanish rabbi and kabbalist, Isaac Abuhav. Its design is said to be based upon kabbalistic teachings.
We meet and greet our soldier companions!
Crowds at the Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
Every hebrew beer imaginable, available at the Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
A moment of reflection at the Kotel, Old City, Jerusalem.
Construction looms closeby the holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem.
Graves at Mt. Hertzl Cemetery.
Sunrise burns through early morning clouds over the Dead Sea, as seen from Mt. Massada.
Balls of salt wash ashore at the Dead Sea.
Hiking witin half a mile of the Egyptian border in Eilat, Israel. The desert blooms brilliantly after each rare rain.
Dust and sand accompany a soul-cleansing hike through the southern Israeli desert.
Beautiful swimming in the Red Sea.
Desert flowers color the landscape in the Negev Desert.
Waterfalls are a rare treat in the desert canyons of Southern Israel.
Thanks to Ezra Siegel for creating this awesome video of the trip!
Sunday, November 9 – Departure
Depart JFK Int’l Airport at 5:55 PM
Arrive at the airport four hours early
Monday, November 10 – Arrival & The North
Landing at Ben Gurion Airport at 3:00 PM
Meet Israeli Staff
Depart for The North
Program Introductions & Ice Breakers
Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen, Golan Heights / Tel: 972-4-695-5286
Tuesday, November 11 – The North
Gadot Lookout & Memorial
Nahal Zavitan – Canyon Hike in the Golan
Mount Bental – View of the Golan Heights Depart for Netanya
Hamei Tveria – Relax in natural hot springs
Cultural Activity
Overnight: Kibbutz Gonen, Golan Heights / Tel: 972-4-695-5286
Wednesday, November 12 – The North & Tel Aviv
Tzfat – Birthplace of Jewish Mysticism
Depart for Tel Aviv
Group Night Out
Prepare for Mifgash
Overnight: Blue Bay Hotel, Netanya / Tel: 972-9-860-0123
Thursday, November 13 – Tel Aviv & Jerusalem
Welcome & Ice Breakers with Israeli Peers
Rabin Square – Memorial to Yitzhak Rabin
Independence Hall – Declaration of The Modern State of Israel
Shenkin Street
Depart for Jerusalem
Haas Promenade – Panoramic View of Jerusalem
Group Activity
Overnight: Maale Hachamisha Hotel, Jerusalem / Tel: 972-2-533-1331
Friday, November 14 – Jerusalem
Jewish Quarter – Old City Walking Tour
The Kotel – Reflections at the Western Wall
Mahane Yehuda – Colorful Jerusalem Marketplace
Prepare for Shabbat
Start of Shabbat – Candle Lighting Ceremony
Festive Shabbat Dinner
Group Activity
Oneg Shabbat – Celebrating Shabbat
Overnight: Maale Hachamisha Hotel, Jerusalem / Tel: 972-2-533-1331
Saturday, November 15 – Shabbat
Shabbat Programming
Prepare for Yad Vashem
Havdallah Ceremony – Conclusion of Shabbat
Political Seminar with Neil Lazarus– The Situation Today in Israel
Overnight: Maale Hachamisha Hotel, Jerusalem / Tel: 972-2-533-1331
Sunday, November 16 – Jerusalem & The Negev
Yad Vashem – Holocaust Memorial & Museum
Har Herzl –National Memorial
Depart for The Negev
Mifgash Activity with Israeli Peers
Overnight: Inbar Hotel, Arad / Tel: 972-8-997-3303
Monday, November 17 – The Negev & Eilat
Ascend Masada – Via the Roman Ramp
Masada – Ancient Mountaintop Fortress
Descend Masada – Via the Snake Path
Dead Sea – Floating at Ein Bokek Beach
Wrap Up & Depart with Israelis
Depart for Eilat
Group Night Out
Overnight: Astral Coral Hotel, Eilat / Tel: 972-8-638-8888
Tuesday, November 18 – Eilat & The Negev
Mount Tzfahot – Canyon Hike
Snorkeling in the Red Sea
Depart for the Bedouin Tent
Enjoy Traditional Bedouin Dinner and Hospitality
Overnight: Chan Shayarot, Bedouin Tent, Negev Desert / Tel: 972-8-653-5777
Wednesday, November 19 – The Negev & Tel Aviv
Camel trekking – Travel the Negev Desert in Style!
Ein Ovdat – Canyon Hike
Sde Boker – Desert Outpost & Grave of Ben Gurion
Depart for Tel Aviv
Jaffa – Ancient Seaport & Artist Colony
Israel Pathways – Learn More about Opportunities in Israel
Closing Dinner & Wrap-up Session
Depart for Airport
Thursday, November 20 – Departure & Arrival
Depart Ben Gurion Airport at 1:20 AM
Arrive at JFK Int’l Airport at 1:05 PM
Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to work as a staff guide for Israel Outdoors during the Israel By Bike cultural trek, part of Taglit Birthright Israel. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it was an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. Overall, staffing this trip was an incredible experience. I had two co-leaders, and a group of about 40 participants 18-22 years old. The group was great, and I sincerely enjoyed meeting everybody, and the opportunity to contribute my enthusiasm and views on the region as we traveled through the entire country.
During the trip, I took about 1400 photos, and edited down to a small set. View the full set on Flickr, as well as on my Instagram feed. I shot on my iPhone 5, and Sony RX-100ii cameras, allowing me to both post photos throughout the day, and shoot in raw for later editing. The full set is displayed here, and I’ll also be publishing a series of theme-specific posts in coming weeks.
Meet Israeli guide and group intros at Haas Promanade
Transfer to Jerusalem
Checkin to Hotel Accommodations -Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Day 2
Visit to Davidson Center, Jerusalem
Tour of Old City Jerusalem Jewish Quarter
Visit to Kotel, reflection at Western Wall
Explore Mahane Yehuda market and lunch
Afternoon relaxation on Ben Yehuda Street
Overnight at Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Day 3
Travel North
Scenic stop at Steia Maris Lookout and education about the Bahai Faith and Bahai Gardens
Visit to Arbel and Lunch
Checkin to hotel Savyonei Hagalil
Preparation for Shabbat and festive Shabbat Dinner
Day 4
Shabbat learning opportunities
Hike to lookout point
Havdallah Ceremony and cultural activity
Overnight at Savyonei Hagalil
Day 5
Hike up Mt. Meiron
Cultural tour of Tzfat, including dip in Mikve
Return to Hotel
Day 6
Visit to Banias and lunch
Rafting the Jordan River and relaxing on the water
Camping in desert near Masada
Day 7
Early morning wakeup in desert
Sunrise ascent of Mt. Masada
Breakfast at Masada Visitors Center
Floating in the Dead Sea
Camel Trekking with Bedouin
Sleeping at Negev Bedouin Camp and Campfire
Day 8
Biking at Nahal ZIn
Visit to Sde Boker
Shvil Hasalat
Dinner at Blue Bay Hotel
Day 9
Drive to Tel Aviv
Visit Rabin Square
Visit Independence Hall
Swim at Tel Aviv beach
Wrap up session and departure
A selection of photos taken during the trip – many were posted on Instagram during the trip.
Initial assembly of the group at JFK Airport – this was our initial meetup, and the first time my co-staffer Allie and I made group introductions.
Let’s jet!
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We connected through Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich Airport – great piece of architecture
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamfan2/14471771451/in/set-72157645237763596
Ice Breakers at the Old City, Jerusalem
Tour of the Old City’s Jewish Quarter
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Visit to the Kotel
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More exploring
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The trip’s first bike trip
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Sunrise hiking up Mt. Masda
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Swimming in the Dead Sea
Camel Riding and Desert Living with the Bedouin
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Second Biking Trip
Exploring the Market in Tel Aviv
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Coming up starting on May 19th, 2014 I’ll be guiding a ten day adventure across Israel with Birthright Israel and Israel Outdoors. During the trip, I’ll be working with two other expert staff members – Allison Bell and Asher Drimmer, traveling with a group of 40 guests. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it’s an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. We’ll be biking, hiking, swimming, sightseeing, and relaxing all throughout Israel, experience as much as the country has to offer. In addition to the many activities and locations we’ll be discovering, we’ll also be developing our own personal relationships with both the land and the people of Israel. During our trip, we’ll be joined by a few members of the Israeli Defense Force, to learn firsthand what their lives are like living in Israel and serving in the military – a unique opportunity to make deep connections.
Here’s a quick outline of what we’ll be up to during our ten day itinerary:
Meet and greet at Tel Aviv’s Caesarea – The beachside amphitheater
Traditional vibes while staying at a Kibbutz Guest House in the Galilee
Exploring the mystical city of Tzfat
Biking along the winding banks of the Jordan River
Rafting the upper Jordan River
Ascend the Golan Heights
Hike down the lush Nahal El Al Canyon on the Golan
Winetasting at the Golan Heights Winery
Exploring the Jordan Valley
Tour of the Old City’s legendary Jewish Quarter
Personally experiencing The Western Wall
Shopping at the Mahane Yehuda market
A group night out on Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall
Secluded stay at the Dead Sea Hotel
Sunrise ascent to Masada via the Snake Path
Hike to the desert waterfalls at Ein Gedi
Bike along the chalky desert trails of Mount Sodom
Floating time along the beaches of the Dead Sea
Camel trekking and traditional Bedouin hafla dinner feast
Explore Nahalat Binyamin artists market and street festival
Bike the Burma Road trail in the Jerusalem foothills
Crawl through the archeological caves at Hirbet Midras
Walking tour of historic Jaffa on the Mediterranean shores
…. and much much more.
We’ll be able to squeeze all of this into a quick ten day timespan with a bit of crafy planning, a dedicated transportation and security team, and our expert and experienced Israeli liasion. Israel Outdoors has been running this trip for years, and they’re the absolute best in the business – a pleasure to work with them.
Next up in preparing for the trip now that the itierary is set, everybody’s airline tickets have been locked in, and everything is in motion is to pack! Shortly I’ll be posting my quick packing list of what I’m brining with me on the adventure. I’ll be traveling ultralight, and ultraversatile to adapt to the variety of situations we’ll encounter while traveling. Stay tuned!
Interested in your own adventure in Israel and the Middle East?
Today was the last day of the trip – and an extremely long one. We woke up around 11, and Steph, Wills and I hung out around the apartment for a while, going through photos, making breakfast, and packing up. After that Steph and I walked through some parks to the Sherut to TelAviv, which do run on Saturdays, since they are driven by Arabs. By the time we got into Tel Aviv, it was already 5, and the sun had set. Steph and I were meeting some friends for dinner out at the port, so we took another Sherut out to the beach, and then enjoyed a long walk up the boardwalk, looking out at the Mediterranean – a peaceful experience, after tension in the rest of the country. We had a quick dinner with Charlotte and her sister, and then I took a cab to the airport, and Steph took the Sherut back to Jerusalem.
My flights home were mostly uneventful, and I got home safely.
That about does it for the narrative portion of the trip – next up I’m going to try to wrap it all up, and provide some thoughts regarding blogging from the field, availability of data connections, and about writing while moving.
Also, during the trip I did blog some photos, but they were all “from the hip” camera phone photos. I took about 1200 real photos with my awesome Canon G10, and I’ll be editing them down this week, and posting the core shots (100 or so) online as soon as possible.
Today was spent mostly walking around Jerusalem and getting to know the city better. Wills, Steph and I woke up mid morning, and Steph ran off to meetings for most of the day.
I packed up my daypack, and set out walking across the city. After visiting a friend at a coffee shop, I went up to the main market in Jerusalem to buy food for our Shabbat dinner – it’s necessary to buy food early, since the market starts closing for Shabbat around 2pm. After that, I spent some more time at Uganda, a cool coffee shop, record store and comic store, and then walked down to the old city.
As i was approaching the Damascus Gate of the old city, I walked through a massive buildup of police and military forces, who were assembling on the dividing line between east and west Jerusalem, and is a major point of contention. I walked through the military zone, and down through the Damascus gate into the Muslim quarter of the old city. Walking though, there was a continued military presence, right up to the doors of the Austrian Hospice, one of my favorite spots in the city.
I hung out on the roof briefly, and then went back down to the street, walked out of the old city, and turned right to walk into East Jerusalem. As I walked farther into East Jerusalem, i noticed more and more arabic, and less and less hebrew. Also, I encountered another contingent of police and military, a little farther east.
By the time I walked out of East Jerusalem, it was almost the start of Shabbat, so I quickly walked back to Steph’s house. Steph, Wills and I made a nice dinner, and then packed it up and took it over to a friends house for a group dinner. We hung out there for a bit, and came home late at night – hanging out with friends for Shabbat was a great experience.
Quick post for today. We woke up late, and Stephband I had a traditionl Israeli breakfast at a local diner. After that we did a quick lap around the old city, in the Jaffa gate, past my old home the Petra hostel, by the western wall, and finally up through the arab quarter to the warm Austrian Hospice.
The Austrian hospice is an oasis of warmth and relaxation inside the old city. We checked out the spectacular view from the roof, and got some work done at the cafe.
After a walk home and quick dinner, Steph, Wills and I went back out to a local bar, Bass, to listen to the DJs spin “dubstep“, a new sound for me – it was great!
Today was my first full day in Israel for this trip. Steph had meetings to go to for most of the morning, so I walked with her across Jerusalem to drop her off at her office, then went up Jaffa Road to hang out in a coffee shop for a while and catch up.
After that and a quick falafel, I walked back down to the wall of the old city of Jerusalem, and east along the wall in to Palestinian controlled East Jerusalem to the Damascus Gate of the old city. While in Turkey, we read in the car an article in National Geographic about the sale of illegal and stolen antiquities in the arab quarter of the old city, and I wanted to see if for myself. I winded my way down through the arab quarter, and asked a bunch of shop owners where these dealers were. After a bit of searching, I fount one shop that had artifacts from 100 bc, all the way through the roman period. Pottery, bronze age tools and weapons, and coins were all there – it was quite amazing to see such relics for sale in the open. The guy I talked to in the shop said that they did have a license, and every piece had an individual catalog number, but I’m still not sure whether not that was the truth.
After the antiques dealer, I met up with Steph, and we went back up to Ben Yehuda street to do some shopping. We also stopped in a great comic book store/record store/coffee shop called Uganda to see some friends and get some hummus, pita and Nana tea. Also, remarkably, the record shop was playing the latest Matmos album, a welcome change from the usual coffee shop listening.
After returning home and showering and changing, we left to go over to a friend’s house, and then out to party for new years, Israel style. We took the Sherut bus to Tel Aviv and walked in an anti war march that was organized by one of Steph’s friends. I generally walked outside and ahead of the marching group, and managed to take a few good pictures of the situation. The whole time we were flanked by a large group of police, and when we finally ended in a plaza, a few police in riot gear showed up. Luckily nothing too dramatic happened.
After that interesting experience in Tel Aviv, we got back on the sherut and went back to Jerusalem to meet up with a friend who was DJing at a local bar.
Today was another big air travel day. We woke up early at Kirk’s house, and met up with friend Wills for a quick breakfast at home. Our one last stop before departure was the large Istanbul Bazaar, where we bought some interesting little trinkets – my only souvenir purchases of the trip!
One more last foam cup of Sahlep with cinnamon from a street cart, and we were back to Kirk’s house. We all got tasty, white castle-like Wetburgers in Taxim, and then Steph and I said goodbye to Kirk, and got the Havash to the airport, to fly to Israel.
Once in Tel Aviv, Steph and I got the bus back home to Her apartment in Jerusalem, where her roommate fed us a good home cooked meal. Finally for the day, we went out to a local bar to meet up with some friends and listen to our friend DJ.
Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to work as a staff guide for Israel Outdoors during the Israel By Bike cultural trek, part of Taglit Birthright Israel. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it was an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. Overall, staffing this trip was an incredible experience. I had two co-leaders, and a group of about 40 participants 18-22 years old. The group was great, and I sincerely enjoyed meeting everybody, and the opportunity to contribute my enthusiasm and views on the region as we traveled through the entire country. 
