Hi from Israel....it has been an incredible week. We have ridden over 300 miles, from the very North to the South of Israel. Each day has been special. Each day has been different.
Today was our last day of riding...and it was my best ride of all.Only 50 miles today, but it was fast We were joined by some Israeli riders today and we pacelined all the way, with average speeds of 27mph. I felt great because I stayed with the front group....I feel SO connected to Israel. It has been very moving. Today we rode from Jerusalem to Shar HaNegev, which is on the border of Gaza. Its the area that is hit by missiles. It has been quiet here for the past few weeks although they were getting around 40 missiles a day fired at them from Gaza....thats the reason I did this ride...to raise money to build a missile proof school so the kids can be safe at school! ( The ride has raised over $100,000)! As we rode into Shar HaNegev today, we suddenly heard the siren....we were nowhere near a bomb shelter and all quickly left our bikes at the side of the road and took shelter behind a huge billboard.....(when you hear the siren you have 15 seconds to get to a shelter) not that there would have been much protection had we had a direct hit from the missile!! Anyway...it was quite an experience. I am staying on a kibbutz which is out of range of the missiles, but we can still hear if there are any sirens.
Jerusalem sits up on a hill. Trust me, on a bike you REALLY appreciate how long those hills are~As you know, its all built out of white stone, Jerusalem stone. The city is beautiful. Today we rode downhill from Jerusalem, through the surrounding forests and down into the Valley. I felt like I was in a place surrounded by God. I was flying down the hills and I really felt Hashem all around. It was very moving.
It has been a very special time to be here.
FIrstly, last week , just before we started our ride, it was Holocaust remembrance day. The whole country comes to a standstill as they remember all the Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Today is Yom Hazikaron, which is a remembrance to all those that have died for Israel over the years. There are close to 22,000 people who have died in wars to protect Israel. Almost everyone in Israel has a family member or knows someone who was killed. Again, the country comes to a standstill and there are ceremonies all over to remmeber those that have lost their lives.
Tonight the party begins....tonight is the beginning of Yom Haatzmuot, or Israels independence day. We are going to a huge party at an Argentinian kibbutz. More food...WOW, we have eaten so much great food and drunk so much wine!
Andi Neugarten
Andi Neugarten
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