Introduction

the first day of the Journey began in Tel-Aviv
for the Israeli participants
and continued in Warsaw
with the entire group
including the Americans.
not only was it the first day of the Journey
but also the birthday of its organiser.
a special day indeed
and a sunny Wednesday as well

the airport

it was about   5 o'clock in the morning in Tel-Aviv
when the first passengers arrived at Ben-Gurion air-port
Yehuda , the organiser of the Journey
welcomed all of the participants
and the group checked in.
went through the duty-free shops
and finally entered the white airplane

the flight

the 337 EL-AL jet took off smoothly
at about 8 o'clock in the morning.
passed several European countries
while the passengers had breakfast.
the view from the windows was bright and clear.

the gift

during the morning flight
the organiser's close family had planned
to give Yehuda quite secretly
both a symbolic and a practical gift.
to celebrate his birthday at the exact date.
the DVD of "Everything Is Illuminated" was chosen
and the organiser seemed surprised indeed.

the arrival

the group entered Poland
the European landscape was seen through the windows.
the plane has landed at about 11 o'clock.
the Warsaw weather looked cloudy
and at the city airport the buses have been waiting.

the hotel

the group left the airport and got on the 2 buses
that made their way through the city centre
arriving at Novotel hotel
just to check in before the city tour began.

city tour

the group was introduced to the senior guide Yurek
before visiting the Jewish museum.
the bus tour went on
and at the shopping centre
lunch could be arranged.

the synagogue

the group visited the local synagogue
and when everybody got out
a surprising humble birthday bash
has been arranged for the organiser.

first dinner

dinner was served at the hotel.
the chairman and the organiser had a chat.
a family birthday picture was taken
just before the dessert arrived.

at night

some of the participants
went out to see Warsaw at night.
around midnight the local football fans
started celebrating the win of their club.
and back at the hotel there was a dancing floor
which turned out to be a girl only though ...