Trip to Israel, Dec-Jan 2012-2013:

The flight to Israel, part 5

When we boarded the plane it was obvious that we won’t be leaving right away as the wings were completely frozen with

snow (top left). Alms slept for another five minutes on the plane, realized we aren’t moving, and woke up again, ready for

a snack (top right).And so our big wait started... Every half hour there was an announcement that we shall be delayed another half hour.

Luckily, the plane was really half empty so there was a lot of space to move around. There were many kids on board and no one wanted to fall asleep until the take off, so there was a lot

of little people running around. We got nice pizza snacks!

After Hahgoot completed her plane journal with the social stories, she worked on the workbook from Korean Air. As it is very basic, Alma did hers as well. The girls got many compliments from other passengers about their

exemplary behaviour.

There was no meal so the stewardesses kept handing out snacks, and since it is an Asian company, the snacks are mainly salty, like sushi (top left) and fish chips. Alma was happily overdosing on salt and sugar, and getting more

and more tired.

After 5 HOURS Hahgoot looked up from her workbook and asked: “Are we in the air yet?” (we haven’t even moved forward on the

ground yet...) Sometimes living in a bubble isn’t such a bad thing...

At last I convinced Hahgoot to take her earphones off and wait till the engine was actually working. Alma at last decided it was time to get up so we visited our friends who were also beyond tired.

We still had another two hours to pull through (we were stranded for 7 HOURS!) and Alma was getting VERY restless (right).

For about two hours the plane drove forward VERY slowly until it reached the

wing cleaning area, where a special liquid sprayed the wings (top left).

Hahgoot worded for about 5 hours on a doodling booklet, only pausing to put on the earphones when the engine started.

Alma was reaching the end of her rope...

AT LAST: Takeoff! Everyone on board collapsed into an 8 hours sleep everywhere they could – on seats, under seats... It was surreal.

The two very disoriented girls woke up and had a bit of dinner (or breakfast. No one was sure and an omelette filled with rice is a confusing dish). After so many hours waiting, getting through

another 4 hours till landing was easy-peasy...

We landed safely in Israel instead of on a Thursday at 8 pm, on a Friday at 2 am... 10 hours late!

My parents were there to collect the extra tired passengers and take us to Ra’anana, to

sleep at the other grandparents as was originally planned.

They were amazed I said goodbye to so many people at the airport.

After so many hours stranded together, I knew EVERYONE...

We arrived at Ra’anana around 4 am, ate a very light dinner (or whatever that meal could be called), wore PJs and headed to bed. I politely declined Emanuel’s offer to give the girls Sufganiyot...

In our next presentation:Our first day in the Holy Land!