What is a Kibbutz?

We will be stopping and having lunch at a few of them (see your itinerary) so it would be nice to know what they are.  below is a link that I think explains pretty well the Jewish Kibbutz.

Jewish Virtual Library.org


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Addendum to "Wrinkle Free Packing"

While searching for packing information, I ran accros this web site.  It has great tips and even a packing list. I think you'll enjoy it!
www.onebag.com

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Wrinkle Free Packing!

As Carol and I will NOT be bringing a hanging bag I wondered the best way to pack without getting everything all wrinkled.  so below are some great links for wrinkle free packing.  ENJOY!

Fodors.com - wrinkle free packing

Link to Videos on Packing and Luggage

Another link to wrinkle free packing

A Look at the Ancient City of Petra

a good read on what we'll find at Petra.

Link to Petra

This is the Treasury.  What you see when you first walk in!



Our Hotels

Here are the links to the Hotels we'll be staying in.

Egypt is "Grand Pyramids Hotel"
http://www.grandpyramidshotel.com/


Mt Sinai is "Morgan Land Village Hotel"
http://www.morgenland-village.net/


in Aqaba, Jordan our hotel is "Moevenpick Hotel"
http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/pub/your_hotels/worldmap/aqaba/overview.cfm


in Amman Jordan (our gateway to petra) our hotel is "Regency Palace"
http://www.theregencyhotel.com/


Our 1st night in Israel will be in Tiberias at the "Leonardo Plaza Hotel Tiberias"
http://www.leonardo-hotels.com/israel-hotels/tiberias-hotels/leonardo-plaza-hotel-tiberias


our Hotel in Jerusalem will be the "Grand Court Hotel"
http://www.grandhotels-israel.com/jerusalem-hotels/grand-court-jerusalem-hotel


our next Hotel after that is "Casa ___insert your name here__"


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Newsletter #2

Baggage Info

here is the link for the delta airline baggage info

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/index.jsp

but here is is also in a nutshell

Delta Airlines Carry-on Luggage Policy

You may carry on one bag and one personal item at no charge. Please note that all items must easily fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Approved Personal Carry-on Items

• 1 purse, briefcase, camera bag, or diaper bag;
• or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked and must be carried on);
• or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above.

Additional Approved Carry-on Items
You may also carry on the following items, which do not count as personal items:

• A jacket or umbrella.
• Food or drink purchased after clearing the security checkpoint.
• Duty free merchandise.
• Special items like strollers, child restraint seats, or assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches.

Carry-on Baggage Size Restrictions
When oversized bags do not fit in the overhead bins, delays occur. Fees will be applied to the oversized bag if it has to be checked at the gate. To avoid delays as well as fees, follow these size requirements:

• Baggage may not exceed 45 linear inches (or 115 cm) in combined length, width, and height.
• Baggage must fit easily in the Carry-on Baggage Check, which is located near the check-in counters and at the gate and is approximately 22" x 14" x 9" or 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters.

Delta Airlines Checked Luggage Policy

Checked baggage must weigh 50 lbs. or less and its combined length, width and height must measure 62 inches or less. Fees apply for bags which exceed the weight or size limits. More restrictive baggage rules apply on some flights operated by our Codeshare partners. You may check up to two bags that meet our size & weight restrictions at no extra charge when traveling internationally to or from most destinations outside of the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Took this on my way to work this morning. God IS great!

The Exodus Route you may NOT have seen.

Here is some interesting reading on the REAL exodus route.

http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-maps.htm

Tips From Bruce, our Travel Agent

I received a E mail From Bruce, Our travel agent today and I think these are GREAT tips and pass them along to YOU!!!

Bob,

Tips are covered, although concerning Egypt;

TIP #1 - tourists are advised to bring a few $1 bills to cover tipping in restrooms – which is customary. They will also need $1 bills if they choose to have their picture taken with a local. Remember you are only there two days, so it shouldn’t add up to much. I was there a week and a half and used about $100 in $1 bills. A roll of 20 $1s should cover it.

Tip #2 – order an extra bottled water with breakfast and dinner for use in your hotel room.

You will tour the pyramids, sphinx, and solar boat museum which are all together in the Giza complex. I doubt you will go into the pyramid due to the time allotted for everything you do that day.

Best regards,


Bruce Little, Owner


Select Travel Network

MONEY!

Money Information for Egypt

Egyptian Pound (EGP; symbol E£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of E£200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piastres and 25 piastres. Coins are in denominations of 25, 20, 10 and 5 piastres.  British pounds sterling, Euros and the US Dollar are accepted everywhere although change may be given in Egyptian pounds.

Rates as of 09/19/2010

United States Dollars

1 USD = 5.70500 EGP

Egypt Pounds

1 EGP = 0.175285 USD

Money Information for Jordan

The Jordanian dinar, denoted by JOD, is the official currency of Jordan. Subdivided into 100 piastres or fils, the JOD circulates both as coins and banknotes. On July 1, 1950, the dinar replaced the Palestinian Pound. In past years, the Central Bank of Jordan supported a fixed exchange rate between the Jordanian dinar and the US dollar.

Rates as of 09/19/2010
United States Dollars
1 USD = 0.71 JOD
Jordan Dinars
1 JOD = 1.41 USD

Money Information for Israel

The name "shekel" was derived from an ancient unit of weight that amounts to approximately one ounce or 12 grams. The New Israel shekel , issued by the Bank of Israel, was introduced on September 4, 1985. Bank notes are in denominations of NIS 20, 50, 100, and 200; coins are in denominations of NIS10, NIS5, NIS1 and 50, 10 and 5 agorot.

Rates as of 09/19/2010
United States Dollars
1 USD = 3.72 ILS
Israel New Shekels
1 ILS = 0.27 USD

Geek Airplane Time

OK, I'm a real geek when it comes to airplanes as you'll probably find out.  I think our vacation starts at the airport.  its like the first ride at Disney land.

ANYWAY, this is the interior (hopefully, as planes get switched all the time) of the plane

 (757) from LAX to JFK and back

757 Interior

This is the interior of the plane from JFK to CAI (Cairo) (767)

767 Interior

and THIS is is an exterior view of the plane we'll fly from Tel Aviv to JFK, a 747

(one I have never flown on and almost look as forward to that as the trip itself :) )

747 on the tarmac in Tel Aviv

THANKS for letting me indulge my geek-e-ness,  now back to your regular programming.........

Flight Schedule

This just in.  here is our Delta flight schedule.  Notice on the LAX-JFK leg "food can be purchased"  I suggest, and Carol and I always do,  pack food.  Sandwiches, snacks or whatever food you like.  FOOD is OK thru TSA, drinks are not!

call or email with questions

SERVICE        FROM                TO                     DEPART  ARRIVE

-------------- ------------------- --------------------- -------- -------

DELTA AIR LINES - DL 2562

MON 25OCT      LOS ANGELES CA      NEW YORK NY            1130A    0808P

               INTL                JOHN F KENNEDY

NON STOP       TERMINAL 5          TERMINAL 3             DURATION 5:38

                                                       NON SMOKING

               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - T ECONOMY

               ON BOARD: FOOD FOR PURCHASE

               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 757-200

DELTA AIR LINES - DL 84

MON 25OCT      NEW YORK NY         CAIRO EG               0955P    0315P

               JOHN F KENNEDY      CAIRO INTL                      26OCT

NON STOP       TERMINAL 3          TERMINAL 1             DURATION 11:20

                                                       NON SMOKING

               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - T ECONOMY

               ON BOARD: DINNER

               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 767-200/300

DELTA AIR LINES - DL 269

MON 08NOV      TEL AVIV YAFO IL    NEW YORK NY            1230A    0540A

               BEN GURION IN       JOHN F KENNEDY

NON STOP       TERMINAL 3          TERMINAL 3             DURATION 12:10

                                                       NON SMOKING

               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - U ECONOMY

               ON BOARD: BREAKFAST

               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 747-400

DELTA AIR LINES - DL 2763

MON 08NOV      NEW YORK NY         LOS ANGELES CA         0900A    1214P

               JOHN F KENNEDY      INTL

NON STOP       TERMINAL 2          TERMINAL 5             DURATION 6:14

                                                       NON SMOKING

               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - U ECONOMY

               ON BOARD: FOOD FOR PURCHASE

               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 757-200

Bedouin Tent Restaurant in Cairo

This is REALLY COOL and is located inside the first hotel that we stay in in Egypt;

Indoor & outdoor Arabian style tent offering Specialized oriental & Egyptian Cuisine for lunch & dinner with wide selection of Egyptian specialty beverages & Shisha corner

Vacation Time!

Here is the Current Time in the Middle East

Follow the bouncing ba....ITENERARY!

Here is the link to the itinerary if you'd like to follow along.

VMC Egypt-Jordan-Israel Itinerary 2010

Lets Begin

Its a month and a half before we leave.  Carol and I are VERY excited.  Here is our first flyer if you haven't seen it yet.