The Chance of A Lifetime
A Modern-Day Pilgrimage to the Land of Israel
Rachel Brownlee
Issue date: 4/5/04 Section: On Campus
"You don't know how wonderful it is to drink out of a water fountain!" Michael Clater exclaimed on the first day of his return from Israel.
This February, four members of the Clater family enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience-a journey across the ocean to the state of Israel.
Michael Clater, together with his wife Amy Clater and his parents, left for the Middle East on Friday, February 6. They spent 13 days in Israel, the heart of Christianity's origins.
Originally, Mr. and Mrs. Clater had planned to take their three children, Michael, Michelle, and Mary, to visit Israel four years ago; but Palestinian uprisings postponed their plans. As soon as a measure of peace returned to the Palestine area, the Claters once again prepared to travel. Michael Clater stated that his parents planned the trip for their children in fulfillment of their promise to God made years ago.
In Israel, the Claters faced culture shock. For example, Israeli law mandates that at least 1 armed guard accompany each school group. The law further encourages the same security for any other traveling groups. Michael Clater explains the process of airport security: "Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion airport...every passenger is screened by 2 security personnel asking a wide variety of questions." Clater adds, "After the security screening, all luggage/bags go through x-ray screening and possible hand searches."
In comparison to America, according to Clater, "Almost everything is much more expensive." He found that a 110-120% tax is placed on new cars; therefore a Chevy Cavalier priced at $14,000 will cost the buyer, after tax, nearly $30,000 dollars. And what about gas for that new Chevy Cavalier? Clater discovered that "The cheapest price for diesel gas was $2.60 a gallon, while the lowest grade of regular gas (95 octane) sold at $4.50 or more per gallon." According to Clater, housing is also a bit pricey: a modest, 600-700 sq. ft. condo can cost over $150,000.
This February, four members of the Clater family enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience-a journey across the ocean to the state of Israel.
Michael Clater, together with his wife Amy Clater and his parents, left for the Middle East on Friday, February 6. They spent 13 days in Israel, the heart of Christianity's origins.
Originally, Mr. and Mrs. Clater had planned to take their three children, Michael, Michelle, and Mary, to visit Israel four years ago; but Palestinian uprisings postponed their plans. As soon as a measure of peace returned to the Palestine area, the Claters once again prepared to travel. Michael Clater stated that his parents planned the trip for their children in fulfillment of their promise to God made years ago.
In Israel, the Claters faced culture shock. For example, Israeli law mandates that at least 1 armed guard accompany each school group. The law further encourages the same security for any other traveling groups. Michael Clater explains the process of airport security: "Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion airport...every passenger is screened by 2 security personnel asking a wide variety of questions." Clater adds, "After the security screening, all luggage/bags go through x-ray screening and possible hand searches."
In comparison to America, according to Clater, "Almost everything is much more expensive." He found that a 110-120% tax is placed on new cars; therefore a Chevy Cavalier priced at $14,000 will cost the buyer, after tax, nearly $30,000 dollars. And what about gas for that new Chevy Cavalier? Clater discovered that "The cheapest price for diesel gas was $2.60 a gallon, while the lowest grade of regular gas (95 octane) sold at $4.50 or more per gallon." According to Clater, housing is also a bit pricey: a modest, 600-700 sq. ft. condo can cost over $150,000.