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2009-04-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

Love the Land

2010 Holyland Tour

"If you liked the Book, you will love the Land."

Hosted by Charles and Charlene Mundy

$3200* including airfare from Dallas/Fort Worth

$2150* excluding airfare

February 13 - 25, 2010

*See Terms and Conditions

Includes:
Surface transportation in Israel by deluxe motorcoach
Kibbutz Accommodations at Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea

First class hotels Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Daily buffet breakfast and dinner
Ten days of sightseeing
English speaking guides
Tipping pool

Why We Want You to Go
It is a delight for us to once again host a journey to the Holy Land and ask you to join us for the experience of a lifetime. Charlene says, "The best part of a trip like this is being able to share it with friends and family."

A pilgrimage to Israel will add new dimensions to your relationship with Christ and your study of scripture. Someone has said that only a few days in God's chosen land is like getting a seminary degree in Biblical Studies. You will find the Bible so much more alive to you after being there.

Without question one of the most significant prophetic events of our times was the rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948, and we believe that all committed believers in the Jewish Messiah should support modern day Israel and its people. The very best way to offer this support is through tourism.

Every believer who has chosen to follow Jesus as Savior should plan at least once in this life to visit the place that God has chosen as His "resting place forever" (Psalms 132:14).

Trip Itinerary

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Love the Land 2010 - Itinerary

DAY 1 – DEPART THE U.S.A.
A midday departure from the DALLAS-FORT WORTH airport is planned. Other departure airports can be coordinaed. Overnight over the Atlantic Ocean.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE ISRAEL
Arrival and welcome to Israel
Overnight Renaissance Tel Aviv

DAY 3 – MEDITERRANEAN to DEAD SEA
Beersheba
· Abraham’s Well
· Tel Beersheba
Masada
Overnight Ein Gedi Country Dead Sea

DAY 4 – DEAD SEA
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Remainder of day at leisure
· Relax at Ein Gedi Spa/Dead Sea
· Enjoy Ein Gedi Kibbutz gardens
Overnight Ein Gedi Country Dead Sea

DAY 5 – DEAD SEA to GALILEE
Qumran
Jericho – Tel & Gondola
Beit Shean – Meat Restaurant Lunch
Beit Shean – Roman Ruins
Overnight Maagan Holiday Village or Nof Ginosar - Galilee Lakeside

DAY 6 – UPPER GALILEE
Kursi/Bethsaida/Chorazin
IDF Base (Coordinate with CFI)
Mt. Bental
Tel Dan
Banias/Caesarea Phillipi
Mt. Arbel Overlook
Overnight Maagan Holiday Village or Nof Ginosar - Galilee Lakeside

DAY 7 – GALILEE
Mt. of Beatitudes
Tabgha (Peter’s Church)
Capernaum
Boat Ride on the Galilee
Jesus Boat at Nof Ginosar
Baptismal Service
Overnight Galilee

DAY 8 – GALILEE to JERUSALEM
Nazareth Village
Megiddo
Mt. Carmel (Mukraka)
Caesarea Maritime
Roman Aqueduct
Up to Jerusalem
Mt. of Olives
Palm Sunday Path
Overnight Jerusalem

DAY 9 – JERUSALEM
Western Wall
RabbisTunnel
Southern Steps of Temple Mount
Temple Mount
David’s Citadel
Overnight Jerusalem

DAY 10 – JERUSALEM
City of David
Hezekiah’s Tunnel
Israel Museum
· Jerusalem Model
· Shrine of the Book
Bethlehem
Shepherds Field)
Evening at Genesis Land (with Hafla Meal)
Overnight Jerusalem

Day 11 - JERUSALEM
Day at leisure
- Explore on your own
- Explore the New City on a walking tour with Charlene and Charles
- Visit Christian Friends of Israel
- Visit Israeli Market
- Ride a Jerusalem Bus
- Light show at David’s Citadel
Overnight Jerusalem

Day 12 - JERUSALEM
Upper Room
Garden of Gethsamane
Caiphas House
Via Dolorosa
- Ecce Homo Convent
- St. Anne Church
- Pool of Bethesda
Garden Tomb
Farewell dinner
Late departure for USA

DAY 13 – RETURN TO THE USA
Today will see us back in Texas with memories that cannot be quieted.

Fellow Travelers

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Terms and Conditions

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Terms and Conditions

TOUR COST BASIS: Brochure price based on a group of 26 to 30 passengers and currency exchange rates as of April 1, 2009. Increases in taxes, security charges, fuel charges, etc. may affect tour costs. While no increase in the land portion is expected, price is subject to change if above conditions change substantially.

TOUR INCLUDES: Air transportation on any regularly scheduled jet carrier, economy class; hotel accommodations in first-class hotels in twin-bedded rooms with private bath; daily buffet breakfast and dinner; sightseeing as specified in the itinerary using deluxe motorcoach or other conveyances as required; entrance fees and the services of local English speaking guides are included; transfers to/from airports/hotels in private deluxe motorcoach; tipping pool for tips to guide, driver, hotel porters, and restaurant personnel.

PASSPORT: U.S. passport valid for at least nine months from day of arrival is required for all tour participants. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens.

CANCELLATIONS: No penalty for written cancellations received by 11/10/2009. Written cancellations received after 11/10/2009 and before 12/28/2009 are subject to a $350 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations received after 12/28/2009 are subject to a 100% cancellation fee of the total tour price per person. No refund made for any missed services while on tour. In addition to the above cancellation fees, airline tickets are not refundable once issued.

FINAL PAYMENT: Final payment is due no later than November 10, 2009. Late registrations, space available, may incur a surcharge.

BAGGAGE: Baggage allowed free of charge is two checked suitcases weighing a maximum of 50 pounds and 62 linear inches (l + w + h) and one airline approved "underseat" bag. Excess baggage will be charged at the established rates. While maximum care will be taken to safeguard luggage, the organizers accept no liability for loss or damage.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: Single supplement, if available, $780.

NOT INCLUDED: Tour price does not include wines, liquors, mineral water, after dinner coffee or tea not part of the menu; sightseeing or services not specifically mentioned or noted as optional; excess baggage; all other items of a purely personal nature.

TRIP INSURANCE: We recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance and/or healthcare/ medical costs as needed. Note that healthcare/medical cost outside the USA are not covered by Medicare and some private insurance plans. Trip cancellation insurance with optional medical coverage for overseas travel is available. Applications available on request.

RESPONSIBILITY: Charles Mundy, Escorted Travel Concepts, and their agents act only in the capacity of agents in all matters pertaining to hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transportation, whether by railroad, motor bus, motor car, steamship, boat, air or any other means, and as such, are not responsible for any damage, expense, or inconvenience caused by late train, plane, or ship arrival or departure or by any change of schedule or other condition, nor the loss of or damage to any person or property from any cause whatsoever. The sponsoring organization reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, decline or retain any person as a member of the tour for any cause at any time, or make changes in the published itinerary whenever in their sole judgment conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the tour. Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, constitutes the sole contract between the airlines and the purchasers of the tour and/or passengers. Services of any regularly scheduled jet carrier may be used on this tour.

ACCEPTANCE: Payment of deposit by tour participants indicates understanding and acceptance of the above terms and conditions.

Registration

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REGISTRATION

NAME (1): __________________________________________________
(AS IT APPEARS ON PASSPORT)

PASSPORT # _________________________

ISSUE DATE: _________________________

EXPIRATION DATE: ___________________

NAME (2): __________________________________________________
(AS APPEARS ON PASSPORT)

PASSPORT # _________________________

ISSUE DATE: _________________________

EXPIRATION DATE: ___________________

(Passport information can be provided later. Not required for registration.)

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP: _________________

TELEPHONE: ____________________ CELL: ________________

EMAIL: ______________________________________________

_______ DEPOSIT(S) $350 EACH

Make checks payable to Escorted Travel Concepts and note "Mundy Feb 2010" on the MEMO line.

Mail deposits and payments to:

CHARLES MUNDY
1404 Conejos Ct.
Granbury, TX 76048-6082

Final payment due no late than 11/10/09

Volunteer Options

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There are many short term volunteering opportunities in Israel.

If you think you might want to remain in the Land after the tour for a few days of volunteering please contact us for information.

Packing and Other Tips

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I pack my clothes in large zipper baggies and sit on them to push the air out before closing. They can then be tossed around without messing up the clothes and they make it easy to locate something. Besides, you can get almost twice as many clothes items in your bag that way!

CONTINENTAL AIRLINE BAGGAGE POLICY
Checked Bags Limit: One checked bag - maximum 50 lbs. and 62 linear inches (length + width + height) each.
Carry-on Bag Limit: One carry-on bag - maximum 40 lbs. and 51 linear inches (length + width + height).
Personal item: One small article such as book bag, briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, camera case or similar personal item.

Our Tip: There are many advantages to "packing light" including less hassle at the airport and at our hotels. We have made countless international trips and limit ourselves to one medium sized suitcase and an "underseat" bag each. Our medium sized suitcases are about 24" x 14" x 10". We read that Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy, and his wife limit themselves to just one suitcase for the both of them. That is a little much even for us.

TOILETRIES:

The best advice is to take only those toiletries that you must use on a daily basis. Don't bring things that you "might need." Shy away from anything with a strong fragrance. This is for the comfort of your fellow passengers and some people are allergic to heavy perfumes, after shave lotions, etc. It is best to simply forego these luxuries during our trip.

This is not an absolute guarantee but our hotels should have hair dryers. (And yours probably will not work anyway with their 220v/3prong plugs.) Try out brush rollers (from the 70's) or a round brush to use with available hair dryer. My curling iron says "110-210" and it works fine in Israel with just a 3 prong plug adapter.

Watch for travel sizes of shaving cream, deodorant, hair spray, toothpaste, etc. when at your local discount store.

Our Tip: If your toiletries don't all fit in a small ziplock bag---maybe you should re-think what is necessary. Security rules specify that carry-on toiletries (all gels, pastes, liquids) MUST be limited to 3 oz. size and must all fit into one quart ziplock bag.

DO PACK IN YOUR "UNDERSEAT LUGGAGE"

1) Passport.

2) Medications.

3) Essential toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hair spray, razor, shaving cream, etc.--see limits above).

4) One change of underclothes.

5) Bible and other reading material (book, magazine, etc.).

6) Anything that will not fit in your other luggage.

SHOES

Two things to remember: 1) Feet tend to swell on long flights. 2) Extra shoes take up a lot of room in baggage. Comfort is the key word. We take only one pair of shoes (walking). Bring a pair of river shoes if you plan to get baptized in the Jordan (slick rocks and cold water), to walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel (cold water often above the knees), or to experience the "Dead Sea float." Buy river shoes at Wal-mart in the summer.

Our tip: Wear the most comfortable pair of shoes you own for the flight and then use them throughout the trip. Israel is well known for its rocky terrain so be prepared for the occasional walk along rocky pathways. Lace ups that you don't mind getting scuffed up a bit are good possibilities. A good option is to wear a tennis or athletic shoe on the plane and for daily use. A second pair (flat sandals) when you want to feel a little more dressy for dinner is OK but certainly not necessary.

PACKING (Suggestions for Ladies)

Israel is a land where modesty is respected. Avoid bare shoulders (sleeveless blouses). Shorts are appropriate only for our time at the Dead Sea but not at other times. Long pants are best for traveling on the bus and for walking tours. You might want a long skirt for dinner at night at the hotel. (We promise not to notice if you wear the same skirt every night.) In addition to a comfortable pair of pants, blouse and sweater to wear on the flights, we recommend:

1) A long skirt (if you like). Long scarf to dress up tops.

2) Two pairs of casual pants (shorts are not appropriate except at the Dead Sea).

3) Two medium-weight and two light-weight blouses that will mix and match with the skirt and pants.

4) Four to six changes of underwear (quick drying if possible).

5) A small container of soap for washing out clothes. (Seal any liquids in ziplock bags or put in carry-on bag because pressure changes cause leaks.)

6) Swim suit or shorts and tank top.

7) A medium weight all-weather jacket.

8) A compact rain coat or roll-up poncho if your jacket is not rain resistant.

9) Pull-over sweater for layering.

PACKING (Men)

Casual pants or jeans are best for traveling on the bus and for walking tours. You might want a pair of slacks for dinner at night at the hotel. Shorts are not appropriate at either Jewish or Christian religious sites. (Shorts are OK only at the Dead Sea.) In addition to a comfortable pair of pants, shirt and sweater for the flights, we recommend:

1) Two pairs of slacks/casual pants/jeans.

2) Two medium and two light weight shirts that will mix and match with the pants.

3) Three to five changes of underwear (quick drying or even disposable if desired).

4) A small water tight container of soap for washing out underwear.

6) Swim suit/shorts and tank top for Dead Sea.

7) A medium weight all-weather jacket.

8) A roll-up rain coat/poncho if jacket isn't water-resistant.

9) Pull-over sweater for layering.

10) Hat or cap if you usally wear one.

MISCELLANEOUS

Bring along several baggies (for shells, stones, potsherds, etc. that you want to collect). Disposable towelettes are also nice to have. A small notebook and pens to make notes of the many little events that you will want to remember and to start your Travelogue. Lapel pens, stickers, ballpoint pens, etc. make handy trinkets to give to children we encounter.

If you plan to use a film camera, take 50% more film than you think you will use. Digital cameras are better since they are not susceptible to airport x-ray. Be sure that the memory cards will accommodate a lot of pictures (or take two cards) and take extra camera batteries (not rechargable).

Before you go--Set your camera to a lower setting to be able to store more pictures on your card and to make them smaller files for your computer or for email. Go to Menu and you will usually see some choices like "Best," "Better," or "Good." The middle setting will be plenty large for printing 4"x6" or even 5"x7" sizes. The lowest setting is good for small pictures and for email.

Video cameras are OK but recharging batteries can be a nuisance in the world of 220V. Most digital cameras have a video setting for taking short movies. ***CVS has introduced the world's first disposable (pocket-sized) video camera. For about $30 you can store up to 20 minutes of DVD-quality video with sound. When you're done, drop it off at a CVS location to turn your vacation into a DVD (for another charge).

In the past we have had people take small cassette recorders to record comments from the guide, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I call you with questions?
Please call with any question you have.

What is an emergency number if I need to be reached while on the trip?
We will have a cell phone with us while in Israel that can be called from the U.S. The number and instructions for calling will be available about a week before departure and I will notify you with that information.

Calls placed in the U.S. to the Israeli cell phone will incur regular international long distance charges.

Can I get an Israeli cell phone for my personnel use?
Yes. I have not made final arrangements for a cell phone but will probably use Amigo. Information is available at http://www.amigo-us.com/ or 1-888-264-4687. Friends of ours go to Israel at least once a year. They use Daystar Wireless, http://www.daystarwireless.com/ but the Amigo rates look better.
***Remind anyone who might call that Israel is 8 hours ahead of the US (Central Standard Time.)

What if I need to get in contact with you on the day of departure?
We can be reached anytime on Charlene’s cell phone at 713-817-6722.

When will I get my Airline Tickets?
Those traveling from Texas will be using Continental E-Tickets. You will be provided with the E-Ticket number before leaving home. The E-Ticket number and your Passport are all you will need for check-in and boarding.

For those traveling from Wisconsin, tickets or other travel documents will be provided by the Magees.

What are the hotel arrangements if spending the night in Houston before departure?
Initial reservations have been made at the Country Inn & Suites near the airport.

Charles is planning to meet you at the airport on Tuesday evening and get you to the hotel. An airport shuttle will be available on our departure morning. The hotel provides a complimentary breakfast service beginning at 6:00am.

Which terminal and gate do I go to?
In Houston, check-in for our Continental flight will be at Terminal C. The gate number will appear on your Boarding Pass after check-in. There is good signage and plenty of personnel who will direct you to the correct area. If our actual departure gate is in Terminal E, you will still check-in at Terminal C. It can be a considerable walk so jump (not literally) on one of the carts if you are not up to the walk.

At Dallas/Ft. Worth, check-in at Terminal E.

Gordon will have information for the flight from Chicago.

Do I need to apply for an Israeli Visa?
No. Visas are issued free of charge to U.S., U.K., and Canadian citizens at Ben Gurion Airport on arrival into Israel.

What is the weather like?
The weather in Israel is much like that in Southeast Texas and in Florida but with humidity levels closer to those found in West Texas and the Panhandle. If we go with averages, this will be a wonderful time for our trip, but plan for the unexpected. (See Packing Tips).

Click weather link in the sidebar for up-to-date temperatures.
Average Lows and Highs for areas we will visit are:
47 66 Mediterranean Coast (first day and night)
49 67 Galilee (three days and nights)
56 72 Dead Sea (one day and night)44 57 Jerusalem (four days and three nights)

How much money should I take? Should I get Israeli Shekels before the trip?
You do not need to take Israeli Shekels with you. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Israel. You will want ready cash for several things such as refreshments, street vendors and lunches. We suggest $250 to $300 each in small bills (tens, fives and ones).

Will we have shopping opportunities?
There will several casual shopping opportunities but only one planned shopping stop at a large respected shop. Credit cards and personal checks will be accepted for larger purchases. (The shop will also arrange to ship larger items such as the ever-popular purchase of olive wood manger scenes.)

Should I take Travelers Checks?
It’s up to you. For the relatively small amount of cash needed, we have found Travelers Checks to be more trouble than they are worth.

Are ATMs available?
ATMs are widely available in Israel if your card carries the PLUS or CIRRUS logo on the back of the card. VISA and MasterCard credit cards can also be used to obtain cash at ATMs. Be aware that ATMs in Israel only dispense shekels (not dollars) and it is almost certain that you will be charged a transaction fee both at the ATM and by your bank or credit card company.

Can I use my credit card?
Visa and MasterCard are readily accepted at hotels, restaurants, etc. I don’t recall specifically about American Express.

Be sure to notify your credit card company of your trip. They often reject international transactions if they have not been notified that you plan to be out of the country.

If you think you might use your credit card at an ATM, verify with your credit card company that you are set up for cash withdrawals.

Is it Ok for me to wear my Rolex (or other valuables)?
No. Leave your valuables at home in a safe place. You should never wear expensive jewelry when traveling in any foreign country.

Serendipity Travel

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The July 2005 issue of AARP magazine has several articles that struck a chord with Charles and I when we read them. The overall title of the articles was "Vacation Magic" about the wonderful unexpected things that can happen during trips. We have traveled world wide for most of our 45 years together and many of our fondest memories were discoveries made by "accident."

One of the AARP articles was titled "8 Rules of Serendipity." That reminded us that during a trip to Hawaii in 1989 we even started to call our experiences "serendipitous." We were in a condo with ocean view on Maui. I was slightly disappointed upon seeing that the "beach" was just a rough black patch of lava rock. Then Charles said, "Oh, Honey, whales!" Whale season was supposed to be over but there they were—at least a dozen of them, spouting and frolicking.

As we were watching them go by, I saw 3 sculling boats going by in the opposite direction, half way between us and the whales. I kept saying, "Look behind you, you guys. You’re missing such a great sight and it’s right behind you." But the rowers were too intent upon their task to ever look away. It reminded me of an article Charles had read to me at breakfast that day. It said that if you wanted to see barracuda, manta rays, pilot whales or any of the big things when diving, you would have to remember to look behind you. I thought about how most of us don’t see the big stuff because we are either too afraid of the deeper water behind us or we are too engrossed in our tiny task at hand.

Later that same day we went driving down the coast. Traffic was terrible and roadwork was making it slower. One area we passed had lots of people snorkeling near the road so we pulled off to see what was there. Charles had put our fins and snorkels in the trunk "just in case" so we were prepared. There were coral heads within a couple of feet of the surface with the water up to 20 feet deep in some places. Most of the coral wasn’t alive or colorful but the fish were spectacular. There were dozens of types and hundreds of some just a few feet away from us. We have dived in the Caribbean where you had to take boats miles offshore to see such sights. We never would have expected to see so many great fish so close to shore in shallow water.

I told Charles that the whale sighting and snorkeling were a form of serendipity but he complained that didn’t like the word. To him it meant something like chance or luck. I insisted that to me the word meant a "God-touch" that makes you notice Him and causes gratefulness and pleasure.

The next day we were picked up at 2am and taken to the summit of a volcano crater. At sunrise we donned our helmets, gloves, and warm gear to straddle our mountain bikes hoping to hang on for the 38 miles downhill on the 10,000-foot drop to sea level. Constant curves and steep grades made for a tension-filled adrenaline rush. Even though there was no wind you make quite a good one going 30-mph downhill on a bike. The National Park Ranger station at the top reported the road to be the steepest paved road on planet earth.

I didn’t use the word "serendipity" that day but Paul, our bike leader did. Upon reaching the bottom, he said we were a "serendipitous serpentine of swift Schwinns." When he said that Charles poked me in the ribs and we snickered.

Years later, during a birding trip to Costa Rica we again had the serendipity experience. Even the story of how we had hired Rudi as our personal guide to Cost Rica was amazingly "co-incidental." My aunt and uncle were on a cruise through the Panama Canal and were in Costa Rica for a day trip. Aunt Ruth was also a birder and was outside looking for birds while the other travelers were inside a hotel gift shop. Noticing her with the binoculars up to her eyes, Rudi, being a life-long bird enthusiast, walked up and engaged her in conversation. Somehow in this short conversation Ruth found out that Rudi sometimes led birding groups. Later when Charles and I planned our trip to Costa Rica, she somehow found his card that had been tucked into her bird book years before.

We called Rudi’s home phone and found that "it just happened" he had 4 days open two weeks later. So we "just happened" to be able to book a flight on the busy Easter holiday weekend and that began one of the greatest trips of serendipity that we’ve experienced.

Later when I was tempted to wonder if this unknown guy was a good choice, I read a comment written about him in my Costa Rica guidebook. It said Rudolpho Zamora was "the best guide" they had ever had.

During this 1998 trip, our guide Rudi thought we were "so lucky" because we saw birds that casual tourists never get to see. We went to the Skywalk, which is a series of five spans of swinging bridges in the treetops of the Monteverde Rain Forest. As we entered he told us to step aside and let a group of noisy tourists pass by. Then he silently pointed to a low branch straight in front of us where the rarely-seen Resplendent Quetzal was sitting in a ray of sunlight shining through the thick treetops illuminating his two-foot long emerald green tail.

Rudi couldn’t believe that the bird just continued to sit there in front of us while we stared. He explained that if one ever saw this bird, it would be perched at least thirty feet above in the shadowy treetops. He had seen it at eye-level only one other time and he had been alone. We tried to tell him that it wasn’t luck but that we seem to have the favor of God accompanying us but he obviously didn’t understand.

A few days later he was driving our rental car on a country road when he stopped to point out some sort of sparrow in the hedgerow. While he was watching the sparrow another bird walked out of the brush, crossed the road and entered the tall grass again. I said, "Rudi, there was a rail," and he said "Impossible!" Then the little guy cooperated by marching right back out and walking down the middle of the road in front of our car. He couldn’t believe it. He said that he had been a bird fanatic for 20 years and he has seen only 3 of the 12 or so rails in the country during all that time.

Rudi explained that he could tell at the first sightings how each guided trip was going to go because "People see what they deserve to see and some don’t deserve to see." I told him that we didn’t deserve to see but that we still were very thankful to see.

Most people just assume they can’t do the things and go the places we go. It just takes planning and a desire to experience as much of the world as possible. At home we were just homebodies who sat in front of the TV while reading or doing needlework but when traveling maybe we did have just a little more sense of adventure than most people do.

I remember when we were planning our first trip to travel in Europe by ourselves. Charles had been reading Rick Steves’ book "Europe through the Back Door." The book contended that one should carry only a backpack and travel via rail and on foot without making any reservations ahead of time to have the flexibility to respond to whatever came up. I read the book and agreed that I could live three weeks out of a backpack but I wanted to draw the line when it came to not having a set place to stay at night. I worried about what if we couldn’t find anywhere to stay. Charles said, "We have a rail pass so we just get on the train." I said "Oh" and that settled it. That attitude has given us some great experiences.

Once while staying in a youth hostel in Switzerland we had made plans to rent bicycles and bike downhill to a village the next day. But when we got up in the morning it was rainy and unfit for bicycling so we resorted to Plan B—get on the train. The train was headed south so we just stayed on until it arrived in Milan, Italy. We didn’t know what was in Milan and hadn’t brought any guidebooks (no extra weight when carrying backpacks). We stowed our packs in railway lockers and just wandered around visiting buildings, parks and statues.

When the day was about gone we happened to pick up a tourist pamphlet that mentioned that Leonardo Da Vinci’s "Last Supper" painting was in Milan. We hurried to the subway and arrived at the chapel a bit before closing to gaze at the wall-sized fresco mural that we had seen in small reproductions all of our lives.

We didn’t know how unusual it was for someone to just walk in and get tickets. A travel brochure I recently read said the following: "Advance reservations are absolutely mandatory. Only twenty people can visit the artwork at a time, for a maximum of fifteen minutes. These tickets sell out several months in advance, so please book VERY EARLY. We regret we cannot accept any requests made less than 21 days prior to the museum date." Oh, well.

A fantastic bit of history we learned while there was detailed in a framed copy of LIFE magazine from the 1940’s that hung on a nearby wall. During the WWII bombing of Milan the chapel was destroyed—or at least three walls and the ceiling were demolished. The magazine photo showed piles of rubble surrounding a single wall standing alone with its 15th century masterpiece completely intact. We decided it was probably another "God-touch" that others might call chance.

Some rules for serendipity published in the AARP magazine article are:
1. Forget brochures – Brochures lie. (Our brochure is a pretty good preview of what we really will be seeing.)
2. Don’t dither – Many anguish over any trip and usually put it off (sometimes too late).
3. Trust hotel maids – Talk to the real locals. They know where to eat and shop.
4. Listen – Everyone may not be a fascinating storyteller, but everyone does have a fascinating story.
5. If it’s cooked, eat it – (In Israel, we have not had problems with the food or water causing sickness.)
6. Get on the bus – (The article meant to get on a local bus but you won’t have to since we will have our own bus with local driver and Israeli guide.)
7. Get off the bus – and create your own guided tour. (Our guide and bus driver will take care of luggage, schedules, entrance fees, explanations and history. When we depart the bus, we can feel assured that our possessions are being watched by the driver. )
6. Talk to taxi drivers – (We will be met at the airport with our bus so we won’t have to bother with taxis.)

My personal list of rules includes:

1) The unexpected will happen so EXPECT it.

2) When the unexpected happens, smile and say "Oh, well."

Great Moment of Serendipity

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Our greatest moment of unexpected blessedness happened one day in Alaska when my sister Patsy & her husband Billy were traveling with us. (They are going to Israel with our group too.)

When planning our trip one thing I had read about that really excited me was kayaking with whales. That sounded exciting to me but there were some problems that Charles pointed out. First, the water would be cold if we tipped over. And second, the cost of $1,000 for that one day would consume too much of the trip budget. I insisted that it would be worth the money to see and hear whales up close like that--so the arrangements were made.

When the day came to board the 52’ "Sea Wolf" which we had chartered for the whale adventure, the weather was cold and misty. We spent the morning watching about a dozen whales with our binoculars through the windows from inside the warm cabin. After lunch when the weather cleared, the hosts started pulling out life jackets and putting the kayaks into the water. We were given basic instructions before we paddled off in the direction of the whales.

We had been told to tap the kayak hull occasionally so the whales would know our location and not surface too closely tipping us over. At first we could hardly paddle for banging on the kayak but after awhile we calmed down and drifted quietly. Suddenly we were totally shocked by a whale and calf silently and smoothly surfacing about ten feet in front of our two kayaks. Our boats didn't even rock. It was a truly awesome moment caught on film. (See us in picture below.)

Looking back, I later realized that this serendipitous moment was the highlight of not just the trip ---but of our whole year.