A new faith journey of discovery

Tag: Tel Aviv

Day 1 Travel from UK to Israel

An early start from Norfolk saw myself and three fellow pilgrims travelling to Luton airport at 6.00am on a cold, wet and windy Monday morning in February. Every journey has to start somewhere, and we were definitely looking forward to a warmer climate in Israel.

Restal Hotel, Tiberius

Travel on easyJet was fine and we landed at Tel Aviv airport at 6.30pm. Security was tight but not aggressive and we made it to the coach with our other 52 pilgrims, weary, hungry and ready for the hotel and a hot shower and bed.

But that was not to happen right away and we met with our guide, Hanna or in English, John, who kept us fed with information about the week ahead, Israel, our pilgrimage, the Old Testament and more…. So, by 9.00pm when we arrived at Restal Hotel in Tiberius, we already knew more than previously about the Holy Land.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Just arriving…

Day 8 Abu Gosh, Ben Gurian Airport, Tel Aviv and home

Anemones at Abu Gosh

Abu Gosh is thought to be Emmaus, where two of the disciples walked to from Jerusalem. Jesus walked with them but they did not recognise him. Finally at supper, they knew him when he broke the bread.

A real place of peace, where spring flowers, anemones, cyclamen and daffodils, were so beautiful. We held our last Eucharist in The Church of the Resurrection.

Benedictine Monastery, Abu Gosh

And finally… before we entered Ben Gurian Airport to go through tight security and our journey home, we had a special treat from Hanna, our guide; he sang The Lord’s Prayer to us in Aramaic, his home language. Hanna had been an amazing guide, inspirational, patient and a source of immense understanding of the Bible.

You can see a very short film of this ‘omnibus celebration’ here…

A different voice…

An amazing end to this wonderful pilgrimage, my understanding of the whole narrative of the Old and New Testament stories has gained so much. And my soul has been filled more and more each day; through being in this place, by hearing more about the scriptures and the company of friends.

Thank you especially to The Very Reverend Jane Hedges, The Right Reverend Jonathan Meyrich, John Hanna Koury, Gemm Travel , Pilgrimage People and to all fellow pilgrims. We have all made this a special adventure, walkabout and pilgrimage to this very Holy Land. Rev’d Sue Martin


Rev’d Sue Martin
Wonderful and weary of foot
Translate »