LAST DAY

Left the Sea of Galilee this morning as we made our way to our destination: Tel Aviv. Packed up our suitcases for the last time and it felt so good! Stuffing that thing as full as possible got harder as the trip went on! And the checked bag Erika and I shared was breaking along the way and probably couldn't make another couple of days! The duct tape can only hold for so long :) 

Our first stop was at Caesarea. This beautiful city was built by Herod once again and his wealth was evidenced once again through the beautiful ruins that still stand. We made our way to the ampitheater where Ben explained a little bit about the city before letting us roam and learn for ourselves through all the signs and beautiful ruins that there were to explore. Cesarea was probably the last place that Paul was before going to be executed and it's also the place where Cornelius, the centurion, was led to being converted by Peter. 
Our first view looking out from Caesarea 

Ampitheater


After all sitting together in the ampitheater we were allowed to roam around and make our way to the pier at the end for lunch. One of the most impressive part of the ruins was the hippodrome, which is a horse and chariot race track. It was huge! And thinking about the attractive entertainment that this would have been in the day, on the coast with a gorgeous view and the perfect social gathering. 

 Looking down from one end of the hippodrome 

Looking down from the other end of the hippodrome 

Mediterranean

We got on the bus and went a little ways down the coast to visit a 2,000 year old aqueduct. It was absolutely gorgeous and the architecture was impressive! Seeing something that old still standing was unbelievable. 
An original aqueduct! 2,000 years old!! And we got to climb up on it. 



The rest of the afternoon we spent on the Mediterranean. We went jumping in the waves, tried to lay out (the wind blew sand all over, so that was short lived), looking for shells, and walking the beach. What a great way to end the trip!

Afternoon at the beach

It went from this....

to this! We left just at the right time!


Later that night we went out on the town in Tel Aviv!!

Last night out on the town! (Don't worry, she didn't eat both of those ;) )

Because it's Marta and it's ice cream and for that reason this picture is adorable!


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The next morning we left the hotel at 4:30 and made it to the airport. Our day of travel consisted of long airplane rides, lots of on and off sleeping, countless security stops, and finally the goodbye when the group started splitting off in Chicago to go their separate ways. 

I'm so grateful for a once in a lifetime trip with a group of strangers that I can now call friends! I grew so much on this trip individually and know that the information I learned will continue help me grow throughout the future. 


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