At the Airport.. :P - by Caitlin D.

Alright its day half and I am still at the airport chillin with Irene, Jasper, and Emily. We all got to roam if you will the airport. Just to be back at 1300. So right now, emotionally I am enjoying myself. Trying to befriend as much as i can. I know how living with people can be hectic and all that jazz. On the airplane, my seat is 40H, i sit next to Emily and then Nae. The worst part so far of this trip would be the packing. I've never been over seas like this. I've been OVER SEAS on a boat, just got back and all. But not like, west of Colorado. So that would be the hardest part. What to expect and do if I feel ill from heat er something like that. But anywho, I'm having a blast at the airport and ou flight boards at 1325, good thing i know my military time!!

Toodlz,

Caitlin

Meet the Chaperones

The pilgrimage this year will be chaperoned by the Rev. J.R. Lander (Vicar of St. Columba's Church in Kent), The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick (Curate of St. Andrew's Church in Seattle), and Ms. Irene Smith (member of St. John's in Olympia. We will also be joined by the Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, while at St. George's College.

Meet the Pilgrims - Katie W.

Hi! my name's Katie and I'm 17 years old. I love to dance- I spend upwards of 6 hours a week dancing, and wouldn't have it any other way. I also enjoy playing clarinet-type instruments in my school's band. I've been playing clarinet for 7 years, bass clarinet for 5, and just picked up contra bass clarinet this year. I'm on the Drama Board at my school as a senator, and am the treasurer of the SIFF club (sharing interests forming friendships) which is all about high school students making friends with disabled kids from the Redmond community. It's a very rewarding type of community service. I'm also very involved with my church, which is why I'm so incredibly excited to have this unique opportunity to grow closer to God. I think I'm most looking forward to expeiriencing another culture. Also, meeting new people. That's my favorite thing about any kind of travel- the people you meet on the way to the places.

Meet the Pilgrims - Steven B.

My name is Steven, I'm 19 years old, and I attend church at St. James in Kent. I enjoy being outside, whether it's hiking, camping, fishing, or climbing. I've also been interested in history from an early age, and I've read about the holy land and the immense amount of history that is there. but I believe that there is only so much you can learn from a book. if you truly want to understand events, both past and present,then you need to see and experience things from the viewpoint of the the people who actually live through events that most people only read about in a newspaper or history book. I believe this trip will be a great way to connect with my faith and to personally visit places I've always heard about growing up. I'm very exited about this trip and I can't wait to get going!

Meet the Pilgrims - Sophie M.

I love singing and playing sports like soccer and swimming. I’m a very outgoing person and enjoy laughing and I like experiencing new cultures. I go to Holy Names Academy and I my favorite subjects include English and world history. . I really like traveling, trying new foods, and meeting new people which is part of the reason I wanted to go on this trip. I sing in a choir and love singing. I cannot wait to go on the trip. I want to see the Western Wall, Bethlehem and the Sea of Galilee. I cannot wait to meet the Palestinian kids and learn about their lives and in turn they can learn about me.

Meet the Pilgrims - Jasper W.

There are so many labels about that we use to define ourselves. It is labels that cause so many misunderstandings and problems around the world, and while I could say that I am a sophomore at Nathan Hale High School who likes history, politics, art and fantasy, I feel that boxes me into your perception and thoughts about each of those terms. What I’m trying to say is I don’t know who I am and telling you a bunch of facts that relate to me in some way isn’t really going to tell you about me. So I ask that you notice both what I say and how I say it. That you don’t form expectations and that before you label me and put me in some defined category you listen and try to understand me. Which isn’t really fair, because I don’t understand myself some times, but then again neither is life.

This trip represented for me a chance to explore my relationship with God. During the daily rush of life it’s hard to stop and sit down and think about what you believe; I hope that this trip will give me that chance. I also look forward to expanding my world view by experiencing a culture so different from my own.

Meet the Pilgrims - Nate R.

Hello, my name is Nathan Rizzotti but my friends and family call me Nate. I will try and keep this short and sweet. I am 16 yrs old while I am writing this on May 15^th 2010, but I will be 17 on May 23^rd 2010. I am a very active person who enjoys all types of sports. My top two are baseball and a toss up between American football and soccer. I am a very energetic person who loves to be outside and trying new things, which in part is one of the reasons why I am going on this trip (to experience a new culture and to try new things). I am very adventurous and very enthusiastic. Another reason why I wanted to go on this trip is because I would like to sample the local cuisine and I would like to experience a new custom as well as probably a new way of life from what I am accustomed to. I am looking forward to exploring the ancient ruins of Israel as well as experiencing a new way of life (as I stated before). I would also like to introduce to them America’s pastime….that’s right baseball. I have researched their sports and baseball was not mentioned at all that made me very sad. I would like to introduce this sport to them because I believe it would be a better way to help solve a conflict; instead of shooting with guns they could shoot fastballs into the catchers glove. I am very excited to be on this trip and I just wanted to thank everyone for donating money to this wonderful experience that I will be able to experience for myself.