Day 1 - The Long One

Leaving Sioux Falls.

I woke up late, 5:30 AM on my own. David was holding us up testing the new shower head. Johanna decided that, although she "loves me dearly and we are good friends", she didn't want to wake up and hobble me to the airport (she has a sprained ankle).
I had no trouble catching my flight in either Sioux Falls or Minneapolis. In Minneapolis, I called Anita to say goodbye (she's sick).
In Chicago, I had a 5 hour layover. I talked to a professor from Moorehead State who was also going to Brussels. Judging from his reaction to my ultimate destination, he was probably Arabic. I didn't catch his name. Sabena finally opened 45 minutes after I got to the desk.
I ate lunch alone at an airport restaurant called "Peggy Sue's". I had a cheeseburger and fries ($10.26). After salting the fries I noticed they weren't salty, but sweet. After some minor research I realized that the salt shaker had sugar in it. This minor thing became a big deal with the wait staff, but I kindly told them it didn't matter. I called home, but my parents weren't home yet. I talked briefly to Johanna.
The flight from Chicago to Brussels was a little like a flying day care center. Small children ran up and down the aisles for the entire 8 hours of the flight. A large woman was sitting next to me and her (I would guess) 12-year old  daughter kept coming up from farther forward in the plane and flopping across me.
After what seemed like forever, we landed in Brussels. The Oklahoma contingent to Caesarea (Alan, Lisa, Christine, Zac {2013 - Cooper}, and Ryan {2013- Hicks}) and I spent the 4 hour in the airport's bar, discussing nothing in particular. I drank a Becks ($4.00) and a mini-bottle of wine ($5.00).  We sat on the runway for an hour before we took off from Brussels.
When we arrived in Tel Aviv, I was approached by a young woman in sunglasses as soon as I got off the plane - before getting on the bus for the terminal.
On my way out of the airport - a man stopped me and asked me to same thing the woman in sunglasses asked me: "May I see your passport? Why are you in Israel?) {2011 note: If I recall, this was more shouted than asked}

My roommate Joni in our dorm room.

The whole group from the plane got on the bus to Caesarea. I sat next to the other girl from SD: Dawn Makes Strong Move (From Winnebago, Neb)
We arrived at the Sports Centre at about 7:00PM and got our room assignments.  I am in room 2-10 and my roommate is Joanie Something. {2011- Next day, I found out her name is Joni Jefferson. I really wish I'd stayed in touch. She was an awesome girl. 2013 - She found me! Happy to be back in touch with Joni! She also has a list of names and contact information, so I'll be able to update this journal} Very nice girl. Dinner was served at 8:00 and after dinner, I showered and went to sleep around 10PM.