Here to stay

It's been a world-wind journey over the past few days.

The feeling of being an 'Oleh Chadash' is not going to sink in for a while, and certainly will not until the Rally is over in a few days time.  Having said that, there's an immediate affinity that I do feel to my surroundings and with the people we meet and talk to along the way. And even on the simplest level, following road signs written in Ivrit after travelling so far and seeing signs in so many other languages has a nice feeling.

I've been an Oleh for a little over 24 hours, and I'm not sure there are many Olim who have started off their stay in Israel as we have. We have a jam-packed schedule until the finale on Wednesday, so I'll just tell you a little about what we've done so far.

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Some inspiration

I write to you now on board our overnight ferry from Italy to Greece, the last country on our voyage before we arrive in Israel. On Monday we traveled from Siena to our evening stop-over in an amazing castle just north of Rome. Tuesday, we drove down to Naples driving through the winding hills of central Italy.

As promised, I'll take this opportunity to share with you some experiences that we have had with a particular individual on this trip.

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The big day

Friday May 16, 2008

Being the last full day before the start of the Rally, Friday was bound to be a crazily busy day. I spent most of the day packing, chatting at various points with Dudy (Starck) and Louise (Angel) from Nefesh B' Nefesh to coordinate the afternoon activities.
 
The action really started around 4 in the afternoon when the car was delivered - a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith from 1948 (it too celebrating its 60th birthday this year) accompanied by Simon Winters - Chief Exec of the JNF and one of the main organisers of the Rally, and Graham - the mechanic who has been working around the clock to get the car in shape in time.

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And off we go. . .

The 7th JNF UK London - Jerusalem Car Rally, in celebration of Israel's 60th Anniversary, is departing London Sunday, May 18th.

Twenty Five classic and historic cars will drive the 2,500 miles- on a route that trails through France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and finally Israel.

This year, two of the Rally's participants - Aly Singer and Yan Cohen- will be making Aliyah upon arriving in Israel. The young Brits will be driving a 1948 Rolls Royce to Jerusalem where they will be welcomed as new Olim on June 4th. The cars will drive right up to the Knesset and be welcomed by the heads of State. 

At the end of the rally, when all the drivers will return to their homes, Aly and Yan will begin life in their new home in Israel. Follow the two young pioneers on their amazing adventure -  read about the passing scenery, the hotels they stay at and their feelings through this life changing journey.

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