M&M were incredibly generous enough to send me across the world to meet them in
TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
It was an AMAZING trip filled with family, friends, traveling, beaches and lots of delicious food!!
MEET MERAV & MOSHE
My Israel Adventure 2015
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| Ayalon Valley |
I came home with amazing souvenirs and over 350 photos!!
SO - Just to share some of the highlights of the trip -
The first couple of evenings we spent time with Merav & Moshe's families. They were both wonderful and felt like family in just the short amount of time I was with them. I am so excited for the twins to join this family! What an honor it is to be apart of this amazing journey with them!
Friday we went down to The Dead Sea. I had heard over and over again how you just float in the water because of the high concentration of salt… I thought yeah yeah, you can float in a pool too! NO. It was almost more work to try to keep your feet on the ground in the mud than just let the water take you up! It was a neat feeling. I was especially excited to treat myself to the amazing Dead Sea mud without having to pay a fortune at a luxury spa! My skin is still thanking me! Pure bliss!!
Sunday was a day I was very much looking forward to and will never forget. Merav had scheduled a private tour with an amazing Guide (TRULY THE BEST!). We walked around Old Jerusalem visiting the the streets of the time of Christ. It wasn't at all what I had expected. Many different religions coming together and worshiping in all different ways around these sacred places. I found it hard to connect like I thought I would but I just tried to embrace each moment, learning new things along the way. We ended the day at the Brigham Young University for a concert. One word - Stunning! It was the best way to end the tour! It was very peaceful and felt like home the minute we crossed the gate, much like walking the grounds of the Temple. You couldn't deny the presence of the Spirit while looking over Jerusalem. The concert was incredible as well. As we sat there listening, we watched the sunset behind Jerusalem and the city lights come on. It was incredible!! It was so special to share a huge part of me with Merav & Moshe that night. I cannot thank them enough for this opportunity!
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| This painting sat above my parents piano all growing up. This is the same view from the BYU center! Stunning! |
Monday we went up North to The Sea of Galilee - The River Jordan - Kinneret - Golan Heights. It was a very hot but gorgeous day! Merav surprised me with a Shiatsu Hydrotherapy in the Golan Heights. Very much in the middle of no where was this cabin where I was put into a state of complete relaxation! Unreal!! Merav knew just what a pregnant with twins lady needed!! Then to top it off we ate at an amazing called Ein-Gev Fish House. Some of the best fish and chips I have ever had! We didn't want to leave!!
Of course there many days relaxing on the beaches of Tel-Aviv, eating delicious food and walking through the markets!
We were able to have a day with my dear friend Stacie, her husband and son at the beach! It was so fun to meet each others IF's and have lunch! A friendship I cherish and know no one else could possibly understand!!
This was a trip I will never forget! So many people asked if Merav and I were sisters… it warmed my heart and I like to think so!! It was so hard to say goodbye but I know these next 3 months will fly by. Cannot wait to spend more time with them here in my home town!!
I love love love my Israeli Family!!! Cannot wait to see you all again!!!!
Shakshuka at Manta Ray Restaurant - Flea Market - Sambosak in Abu Lafia - Dinner in Modiin with Merav's Family - Falafal in Abu Ghosh - The Dead Sea - Dinner at Moshe's Mothers home - Tel Aviv Beaches - Tour of Old Jerusalem - BYU Universitiy & Concert - Warm Apple Struddle - The River Jordan - Kinneret - Shiatsu Hydrotherapy in the Golan Heights - Nachalat Binyamin Market - Yemen Restaurant - 3D Jurassic World Movie - & so much more!!!!
love,
Ashley Dawn
