Welcome to Tel Aviv

So I'm not actually IN Tel Aviv...just at the airport.  We had a 1 hour flight from Pittsburgh to JFK, then a 5 hour layover before a 7 hour flight to Frankfurt (originally 8 1/2 hours, but shaved some time in the air).  Once in Frankfurt we waited for about 2 hours and then boarded a plane to our current location...Tel Aviv, Israel.  We can't check in for another 4 hours and then we'll have to wait 3 more hours before flying to Jordan where we will endure yet another 7-8 hour layover. About 10:15 on Thursday morning we will arrive in Cairo and let me just say, I can't wait to sleep horizontally!  Attempting to find a decent sleeping position on airplanes and in airports is pretty much impossible.  However, despite the many discomforts, I am so grateful that all of our flights and connections have gone smoothly.  For those of you I've spoken to, you know that airports and flight connections stress me out more than anything else.  So, praise God and thanks to all of you who are praying for us. Love you all!!!

We're Off!

We've had a wonderful time in Pittsburgh, from sampling the chocolate delights in Hershey to enjoying a short hike at Ohiopyle.  Pennsylvania is a beautiful state and our time with Caitlin has been great!  We leave the country today and begin our very long trip to Cairo.  This will take us around 48 hours to complete!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally Gone!

Okay, I realize I haven't posted for several days.  I've been too busy catching up on all of the sleep I lost the few days prior to leaving SLC.  New York was wonderful.  Valerie was wonderful.  She helped us organize our activities and it was really nice to spend some time with her.  The plays (Wicked and Lion King), of course, were more than fantastic.  We are now in Pittsburgh with Caitlin and I still seem to be slipping into unconsciousness at random times throughout the day, falling into bed at night, and sleeping in.  It has been very nice to get some restful sleep.  Now that we're actually gone I can relax.  Well, okay, I admit to being rather anxious at the airports due to poor organization by someone I don't know (if I did know them I would inform them that planning too many flights at a time of day when you know they won't be able to take off in a timely manner is stupid).  However, other than that, I am enjoying these stops before leaving the country.  Well, things to do now...more later!

GO!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's all...

Get Set...

Goodbyes are hard and this has been the week of goodbyes.  Whenever a goodbye approaches, everyone avoids it, searching for something else to say in order to put off the inevitable.  Now, on the one hand, 6 months isn't really that long.  At the end of it, it will seem to have flown by. On the other hand, it's 6x as long as I've ever been away.  I think that tonight was the first time it really sunk in that I'm leaving in the morning and I really can't pinpoint exactly how I feel about it...excited, nervous, nauseous...  I think it's less that I'm leaving and more that I don't know precisely what to expect that has me so agitated.  We've been packing and cleaning frantically the last few days while enjoying very little sleep so I haven't had much of a chance to actually think about everything.  There is always something else to do and as soon as I get to the end of my list (yes, I do actually have a to-do list), several items are added.  I think in some ways it will be a relief to get on the plane tomorrow and know that there isn't anything else I can do to get ready.  I don't know if I am ready, but ready or not, right?  Anyway, this is actually happening and it's happening in about 7 hours, so I think it's about time I at least attempt to sleep.  Until next time...

Get Ready...

Okay, this is my second attempt at writing this.  A few items to take of during this first post...

1.  A number of years ago a friend of mine started calling me Queen Elizabeth and it kind of stuck. Consequently, the name of my blog...

2.  I have a travel bug.  As a teacher I get the summers off and like to get out of the country when I can.  I can't help it.

3.  I've taken a year off of work to travel starting with six months in Europe with my younger sister.

4.  I've been in denial this last week that I'm actually leaving.  However, a mere 30 hours before I leave and I can no longer ignore that this is really happening.  When I think about it, sheer panic sets in, which is why I've thus far chosen to live in blissful ignorance, or DenialLand, as my sister has termed it.

5.  Lest you think I am not excited about this opportunity, let me correct this fallacy.  I'm very excited.  My mom spent a year in Europe roughly 35 years ago and I've wanted to do the same since I was 10.  This is a dream come true.  I am still entitled to panic, however.  Do not begrudge me my moments of insanity and terror.  Don't worry.  Only my sister will have to deal with them after Monday.  But I digress...we're not discussing my impending departure.  We're too busy pretending that it isn't happening.

Okay, there we go...first post done.  Another thing to check off of my To-Do List.  You'll be hearing from me again soon.

-The Queen