INSPIRATION: Highlights of the HOLY LAND

"You are travelling to the Middle East?!?!," friends asked incredulously when I announced that I had just been invited to join a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. With the spate of incidents in the region making headlines of late, one could understand their reaction. But a pilgrimage to the Holy Land had long been on my wish list and that the opportunity would come so unexpectedly on this an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (as declared by Pope Francis), was a special gift. There could be no better time...I was elated!

Although the invite was for a busy time of year, I knew I couldn’t pass up this amazing opportunity. Sar-El Tours Israel was extremely accommodating and quickly customised arrangements to fit my dates, creating an abridged (and intense) version of the normally 12-day tour.

"I am actually here—I'm about to set foot in the Holy Land!" This thought filled my mind as the aircraft made its approach towards the King David Airport. It was