Jerusalem, Israel and the first 30 days of traveling...

Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem... What a captivating city. Here, so many stories, cultures, peoples, tensions, sanctity, hope, and challenges converge in a small space. We were right in the midst of it all, in a charming hostel. The building itself was an impressive 700-900 years old, offering a magnificent view over the entire Old City. Our goal was to experience as much as possible in these two short days. Consequently, we were under quite a bit of pressure, but it turned out to be an incredibly intense period during which we learned an immense amount. Personally, the visit to the Western Wall was the absolute highlight for me. It was a moment of exceptional sanctity.

However, the train ride back to Tel Aviv was less pleasant :-)

Our last week in Tel Aviv was mixed. We fell into the trap of the Instagram-vs-Reality dilemma once again. Our accommodation had looked great in the photos, but the reality was dingy, unpleasant-smelling, and noisy. So, that week of school wasn't particularly enjoyable... Nevertheless, the farewell evening was a highlight. We toasted to the first country we had visited and went out for a nice meal together.

Israel surprised and impressed us in so many aspects. I had expected more military presence, uncertainty, and palpable tensions. Even in Jerusalem, where there seemed to be police or military patrols on nearly every corner, I never felt unsafe for a second. In Tel Aviv, we had to rein in our boys once as they stood like curious onlookers near a police cordon while an officer in bomb protection gear checked an abandoned bag on a park bench. Ironically, they had been the ones most fearful of such situations before the trip... Israel is exceedingly modern, vibrant, alive, and we were fortunate to experience the hospitality.

A particular highlight was a spontaneous dinner invitation in Jerocham. The city appeared as if it were created from a video game – with parks, bike paths, and communal facilities that were scarcely used. At first, we were a bit disappointed, as we suddenly weren't sure what exactly we were supposed to do here. Yet, our host provided us with the best insider tips. And that dinner with the most delicious meatballs was unforgettable. Many thanks, Shukma!

Naturally, I could also delve into the difficulties this country faces and will face. However, there's not enough space here for such topics, and I don't feel adequately qualified to make political and cultural statements.

For me, this journey was one of the most instructive, culturally diverse, exciting, and intense adventures I've had the privilege to experience. I would love to return to Israel someday – either when the children are grown up or even on our own :-)