Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you expect. We’re still on our Holy Land trip, which we extended on the front end with a trip to the Alps, Venice, and Rome.

While planning the trip, we had preconceived ideas about what we would enjoy the most. The boys thought they’d like Rome the most of our pre-Holy Land itinerary. I thought I’d enjoy the Alps the most. However, none of us cared for Rome and, though the Alps were amazing, I have to say, Venice was my favorite.

We’ve now seen the Holy Land, and I’m so glad we came. As for the Holy Land, I expected the Via Dolorosa to be the most moving. However (due to the crowds, busy market, and the particular tour we were on), it was not my favorite part.

I’ll carry the images with me always, but most meaningful for me were the Western Wall and the Sea of Galilee. Galilee was quiet and serene, perfect for contemplating what a day with Jesus and his disciples might have been like. Also, the area was much as it must’ve been in Biblical days, not covered by the newer temples and man-made symbols of Jerusalem.

I’m so glad we came, and I can’t wait to get home and read the Gospels over again, picturing it all in a new way. Having driven the areas between Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem, we also have a new perspective on the distances Jesus covered during his life on Earth.

When was the last time something turned out differently than you expected? And yes, that failed crème brulee counts.

PS I've posted pics on my FB page if you want to see more of Israel https://www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter

Labels: The Holy land