Day 1 - Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, The Wailing Wall

Shabbat Shalom

In spite of the happy faces and sun shiny beaches, the day actually started at 3:00 in the morning when Elizabeth and I left from the hotel. After getting past the rush hour traffic of Tel Aviv, we finally made a break to the airport. The rush hour in Tel Aviv always exists, we found, because there is always a party. At 4:00 am all the kids out partying are looking for taxis to take them home, and traffic begins to die down, only to start up again at around 8:00. 

A curious, but nonetheless, likable creature taking pictures. Oh, I mean, Hi Dad!

We also found a cute German lady at the beach. She loves the camera, and the camera loves her! Oh wait, it's Mother!

After taking a nap, we enjoyed a Friday morning at the beach. We then left for Jerusalem, especially for the Western Wall to see the welcoming in of the Sabbath. Security was tight, but still in concordance with Jewish law, as Dad is displaying by the metal detector. 

This sign ensures that the metal detectors are rabbi approved.

Dad within the men's section of the Western Wall

Dad praying at the Western Wall

One of the last pictures taken before all cameras were banned for the Sabbath.

The following video takes place at the Israeli flag outside the men's and women's sections of the Western Wall. Historical events such as the announcement of the birth of Israel as well as celebrations after several conflicts have happened here.

There are many Jewish youth groups which come to the Western Wall to celebrate Shabbat. Other local groups also come to show off their moves. In this shot, there's a crazy South African woman laughing who later told us that her visa expired, but that she was out of money to fly out of Israel. I told her that the Palestinian Authority would be very happy to have her. 

These festivities are similar to what happens at the Western Wall when Shabbat begins. Dad and I joined a 60 person circle at the Wall and danced with the best of them. In the middle of the circle, a group of Israeli soldiers hoisted their fellow comrade about 3 feet in the air as part of the celebrations. 

Later that night, as I was exiting the Western Wall praying area, I saw a man with a BYU shirt who informed us of church times at the BYU-Jerusalem Center.