Iam not the same,and neither will you after reading this!

Its a sweltering late August evening in Gainesville,Fl-not uncommon for this part of America.We all say are final goodbyes, my friends head off to first week of classes at the local university.Me, Iam embarking on a journey halfway around the world.Honestly,Iwas excited yet uneasy.Finally I leave!Delta puts me in businessclass. Gotta nifty upgrade! Flight was very comfortable!Until 6:00am I was awakened to pappa type next to me saying something in hebrew with much enthusiasm. I was intrigued.College doesnt teach this kind of ferverency.In fact, I felt complacent and began asking myself some deep questions. We finally touch down in TelAviv,whew! I stop off at baggage claim to pick up my trusty specialized mtn.bike(a last minute decision,after reading an article in a bike magazine about this guy who mtn.bikes the length of Israel-mostly single track)I was compelled by the idea. I figured I had done some long distance tours and a what do I have to lose .We are off, riding into Telaviv was interesting. Iwouldnt try this from sun-fri.but it was Sat.(shabbat) so roads were not busy.Nice wide roads. A friend,who had lived in Jerusalem now in US,booked a couple nights in a very clean backpacker inn.What a welcome sight! After catching up on sleep and enjoying the fabulous network of bike trails and exercise stations in city parks it was time to say goodbye to this beautifull and very vibrant city overlooking the Mediterranian.I will miss the all night Israeli folk dancing lessons on the beach,watching the sun come up brought tears to my eyes.On to the Galilee ,this was a good whole day on the bike.The feeling of such awe and wonder coming over the last mtn. and riding down this steep hill towards Tibarias. I was filled with so much thanks to God. It was indescribably exhilerating. For the next month I biked the upper and lower Galillee.Upper is very mountainous,being close to Syria.This region is full of orange trees,rows of mango and olive trees.You can eat your way through this region.Eat I did!I would go on fruit rides riding through lush orange and mango groves. Eating more than riding. Exchanging tearful goodbyes to my new friends. I headed to Jerusalem.She,the locals call her is bustling with variety and mystery.So many variety of peoples,religions,and adventure.Half of the city is under the ground,a vast network of tunnels and catacombs.Choosing to stay above ground I go to "the gardens"-that is Gessemine on the mt.of olives and open tomb nearDamascus Gate. They say their is a church claimed to be where Jesus tomb was-they built a church over,but I was led to go to the garden.Also its built on side of a mtn. that looks like a skull!Perfact place to crucify people,and its just outside the city gate!Leaving the bike to set foot for some amazingsight seeing!Real quickly,get a good map and take the3-4hr daily tour leaving from David citadel.Worth the investment. Finally, getting itchy to start riding I leave Jerusalem.So much to say.For sake of space.My faith was strengthened yet I felt drawn to many from other faiths to hear their stories.I tried to imagine what Jesus would have like and how he would have responded-I dont think things have really changed much. We all have a deep need to be loved ,to be celebrated,appreciated,just as we are. Their is this beautiful thread that runs deep and its been amazing to discover we all have more in common.Tears,laughter.Family,marriages,brothers,sisters,friends,weddings,funerals.Israel is a land full of rites of passage. Celebrating the passing into new beginnings. I send you off with a little push like a pappa pushes off his little daughter who is learning to ride her first bike. You can do it! Go for it son go for it daughter! Israel is for you.