Journal:

Checked out of the YMCA Three Arches hotel, but left our luggage in the hotel lobby's locked room for the day. Do all hotels offer this kind of hospitality or just in Israel?

Got permission to go to the top of their tower 6 floors up. 360-degree view of Jerusalem. Amazing!

Breakfast with David, Benji and Michael on an outdoor terrace in Mamilla Mall. Looked out over some olive trees with ripe fruit almost close enough to pick.

Walk around Jerusalem. Visited David's favorite shop owner to find out the best place to acquire a hand-made ketuba for Benji. His friend steered us to a shop, called Blue and White, a beautiful shop with lots of handmade poster-size to postcard-size artwork. The shop owner was kind enough to make a phone call to someone he knew and as we were leaving gave Benji a small picture of a Jewish wedding. If I'm ever back in Jerusalem, I will try to go back there. Visited another shop with very colorful artwork. David said that he has purchased several items from them over the years. Some of the shop's items are sturdy enough to mount outside one's house. Continued to walk around until it was time for Benji to leave.

Benji took a Gett taxi to Tel Aviv and Michael went off to spend time with Marcos, the other Israel Ride photographer, who was visiting his mother.

David and I continued walking around Jerusalem - this time to First Station, an old railway station that has been transformed into an outdoor mall. Needed a bio-break. When I finished, I went outside and waited for David. Took out my phone to check email. Oh, no! David sent me a text message because he was stuck in his bathroom stall and the door latch was stuck! A few people tried to help and then we found someone who was able to jimmy the door open. Every bike trip has drama of one kind or another. Never fails! Found a nice restaurant at First Station that wasn't busy when we arrived, but was packed by the time we finished. Another yummy meal.

Made our way back to the hotel, by way of Montefiori's Windmill and Golda's ice cream store. No bike trip is complete without proper ice cream refreshment! We retrieved our luggage and waited for Michael and Marcos to return and then all four of us took a Gett taxi to Ben Gurion Airport. Made it in plenty of time to get through security. Mistakenly, I had left my Topeak multi-tool in my carry-on bag, instead of my checked luggage. Yup! It was confiscated because it had a Phillips head screwdriver in the tool set. Note to self: no tools in carry-on ever again!

More bike trip drama! As I was re-packing my carry-on which had been completely emptied by Israeli airport security, I forgot my phone in the security bin. Didn't realize it until I reached my gate. David went back with me to talk with the attendant at the Information booth. The attendant called the security station, who told them they would look for the phone in the bins. David kept calling the phone hoping the ringing would help them find it. Eventually, someone from security brought the phone to the Information Booth. All's well that ends well. Phew!

Went back to the gate to meet up with about ten other Israel Ride participants. It was nice to see them all. They were happy for me when I returned with my phone safe and sound. Bike riders are the best!

Boarded the plane. Left on time. Arrived a bit early - that's standard these days from the way that airlines estimate their arrival times. Got our luggage and bike boxes with no difficulty. Made it out of U.S. Customs easily - just the usual waiting in line, but when it was my turn, no problems. Said goodbye to David as his wife was waiting in their car just outside the terminal doors. Found my way to the Logan Express waiting area, bought my $9 ticket. What a bargain! Bus was understandably a few minutes late because of morning rush hour. Other passengers and I loaded luggage under the bus and boarded for an uneventful ride back to Framingham.

Hana was waiting for me. Big hugs! Then home for more hugs with Richard. Got the luggage inside the house and then went out for breakfast, a treat for all of us. Went to REI to buy a new multi-tool, so I can put my bike back together!

Home Sweet Home!