The Adventure Begins

June 4th

After emotional goodbyes over the preceding days - and a false start two months previously - we were finally setting off for Israel. Unable to check in online due to the unusual circumstances we were ready to go to the airport.

Covid style!

Arriving at Heathrow Terminal 2, 4 hours before the flight, it was empty.

We were first at the desk. The staff were Heathrow staff not El Al, although it was the usual security team. As they started to check us in we were asked for a letter from the Israeli Embassy confirming that we were allowed to fly. We showed them all our documents from the Jewish Agency but none of them were acceptable. We were told to wait until a representative of the Embassy could come and sort it out. Half an hour later, with no sign of this person, Malcolm kicked up a fuss and they checked us in.

The only shops open in the entire terminal were one Smiths and one Boots. No tea or coffee!

Our plane had already arrived, having flown from Tel Aviv that morning to Paris and then on to London, and they were ready to board us early. There were a variety of masks but some people went to extraordinary lengths to protect themselves! Our plane was called Jerusalem of Gold.

Having our temperature checked was nerve wracking and even the babies were checked.

The El Al cabin crew were sporting covid style uniforms. The plane was just over half full. Other than family groups there was an empty seat between each person. They handed out a sandwich after take off but other than that there was no trolley service or duty free. The usual bustle was completely absent. Although they had not been asked to, everyone stayed in their seats, none of the usual standing in the aisles to chat. A strange atmosphere but it made for a peaceful and relaxing flight! The applause for the staff on landing was heartfelt. They had had a very long day.

We had been warned by the agency that the process would be very different from the usual exciting Aliyah experience and that there might not be anyone to greet us. It was a relief therefore to see a sign welcoming Olim (people making Aliyah. Aliyah means going up and is the word used for Jews emigrating to Israel). All the other Olim on that flight were French. Shortly after disembarking all passengers had their passports checked, their temperature taken and then had to fill out forms to confirm where they were going to self isolate. This formed a long queue but as we had all had to provide this information before we could book our flights, we were able to fill in an on line form and then jump the queue. It's hard not to keep using the word surreal but it's the only way to describe looking at the deserted departure hall, the empty walkways and closed passport control. For those who've never been to Israel it's normally an extremely busy, vibrant lively airport. Flights come and go, day and night, so whenever you fly its full of people.

We arrived in the baggage hall to find our luggage waiting for us, and then were taken to the side to be processed. We received all the usual documents, except for our identity card, and then were escorted to a taxi. The bottom picture below shows us walking through the arrivals hall. Unlike British arrival halls which are calm and quiet, with little displays of emotion, this one is usually packed, often with large family groups waiting with balloons and signs, especially for Olim, buzzing with the excitement of people arriving, full of the sound of chatter, laughter and bursts of singing.This time it was empty. Silent.

Arriving at our apartment at 1.45 am we were amazed to be welcomed by Gila and Tzvi, at a distance of course, but with signs, balloons and singing. We then went up to the flat to find that friends had left gifts and Gila and Tzvi had decorated it to welcome us. It had been an extraordinary day but as we crashed into bed I think our overwhelming emotion was - relief. We had made it at last