Visiting Israel - Fall 2006 Color Me Latina

In America, when people hear of the country Israel,
they assume terrorism, war, hate, etc.
NOT TRUE AT ALL!

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words
about my latest trip to Israel. Israel is one of the most
beautiful countries that I have had the pleasure of
visiting. The people are warm, friendly, kind and
sincere. I was shocked to feel so safe and appreciated
from everyone there. We partied all night till the sun
came up, ate breakfast, took a nap and continued
dancing from sunset to sunrise again and again. During
the day, pool parties in a breathtaking resort full of
dancing everywhere, every minute, all day and all night.

I, among other dancers, was named Ambassador of
Goodwill for Israel.…And right when we thought we had
seen it all ---- they took us on a 3 day tour of the country
where we visited the Dead Sea, road camels, slept in
the desert on sleeping bags and tents in the middle of
miles and miles of mountains. All we heard while we
slept where camels, donkeys and horses.

I can remember sitting on our tour bus and all of a
sudden a smell of sea and salt came out of nowhere so
of course I looked out the window wondering what we
were about to see and there it was- the “Dead Sea”. I
was nervous but continued to take my steps into the
water and before I knew it, I was swept off my feet like a
floating bottle. As I used my arms and legs to keep my
balance. I looked around and only saw mountains. I
couldn’t help to think ‘WOW! I am a Puerto Rican girl
from Jersey City and I’ve been blessed.'

And once again when we thought we had seen it all
underneath the brightest moon and stars……….. We
visited the city of Jerusalem. I stepped off our tour bus
and had to remove my sunglasses to see, what
seemed to be, the highest, biggest, and strongest
church I had ever seen. As we walked in, my
stomach was inside out wondering ‘what is this place’.
Then someone answered my question......

This was indeed the church built over the land where
Jesus was crucified. I prayed over the rock that held
the cross. I kneeled over the grave where Jesus
resurrected. I cried over the platform where Jesus was
cleaned. We prayed for all of our families, our friends,
our countries, and each other.

It was an emotional, religious and eye opening
adventure with no ending. Hundreds maybe thousands
of people with the same look in their eyes. Among
strangers and feeling so at home, as if this is the closest
to Heaven on Earth we would ever see.

Then we took a walk to find something to eat and little by
little I started seeing civilians carrying guns, mainly the
men. I got nervous and couldn’t help but to walk a little
closer to my brother Ismael Otero and my friend John
Jay that were also on the tour. Everyone seemed to
think this was normal as if guns was simply another
part of their belts. So of course I started asking, “Is it not
against the law?” and indeed it was not, as long as the
gun was visible. So it was strange to see people
smiling at each other while having a gun on their hips.

After such an emotional morning we headed towards
Nazareth where Jesus spent most of his life. From the
bus I can see the Jordanian Mountains for miles and
miles. Then after the mountains I would see palm trees
and beaches. It was out of this world! I was able to see
the storage room (basement) where, according to the
Bible, the Angel appeared before the Virgin Mary for the
second time telling her she would be the one to carry
and bare God’s child who would be named Jesus. We
saw a bathing area where it is said Jesus bathed
himself. It was truly amazing.

This trip was an emotional, religious and eye opening
adventure with no ending. I will never forget my trip to
the beautiful country of Israel.

ISRAEL = Love, Warmth & Peace

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