Well we made it! The flight from Chicago to Queen Alia Airport in Amman Jordan was nearly 13 hours. Richard, Connie, Doug, and myself were fortunate enough to sit next to one another during the flight over. However, putting Richard and Doug next to each other was quite possibly a mistake; like 2 kids seriously. They laughed and joked most of the way! Although long flight, it was fun.

As soon as we arrived, we were whicked away to collect luggage and tranported to our hotel for the evening, for checkin and another meal... :( . Seems we have ate alot, but everything has been very good. Dinner at hotel last night was buffet, with variety of foods, including several items I even recognized, including ham, brisket, and potatos! LOL Doug, however, is having mild withdrawal from Dr. Pepper. The service folks look at him funny when he requests Dr. Pepper, but seem to understand Coke and Pepsi.

Our tour group totals right at 20 persons at the moment. Besides Reverand Green and our little foursome from Dockery, there are 3 from Pennsylvania (1 a retired military husband who just departed Iraq a couple of months ago), Linda from Columbia, MO (this is her 4th trip over), Vicki and Susan from Kentucky, Gordon, a retired farmer from Edina, MO, Bill and Carol Gutshall from Trenton. Finally we have 3 friends of Bill/Carols that flew in to join us from Belarus (near Russia). Svetlana and Vladimar are farmers, speak no English! Their son has traveled with them and is acting as interpreter thoughout the tour. Finally, 3 more from Kentucky were traveling in late last night after their flights were diverted.

No opportunity to get photo's yet, unless you want to count the ones we took of Doug doing the moonwalk backwards at the Chicago airport on the skywalk. Thankfully Connie was quick with her camera and caught it! She has been taking several group shots and I hope to get one or two fromm her as soon as we get settled in. Anyways, the coming day should be great excitment for all and will make the long travel day worth it. Stay posted, will write more as we arrive at our next hotel, located on the sea of Galilee, later this evening. Linda says it is breathtaking and will be one of the most amazing things we will experience. Love you all.......Dave