Well, Mark and Aaron are back in Los Angeles safe and sound, though missing Israel. Their trip was super-special and amazing and as a last post for the blog, here are some highlights:

Trip to Acre (Akko): An ancient city that's one of the oldest continually inhabited places in Israel, Acre is a beautiful northern city on the bay. Aaron and Mark went together with some members of Mark's family and were visiting the shops when they walked into one store that was run by people with disabilities! The store sells items for disabled people, such as specially-tagged hats that blind people can feel and know which color they're putting on their head. Mark loved the people and the concept. He made sure to purchase some items to support the store! He really connected with all the people there and could not stop talking about Etta Israel and his group home!

There's No Place Like Home...: In fact, wherever Mark and Aaron went, Mark loved to tell people about the group home and Etta Israel events. He met one young man who lives in a group home in Israel. With his cousin translating his remarks to Hebrew, Mark told this man all about his home and what Etta is like, raving about how happy he is... to the point where the man said he wanted to move to Mark's group home, in LA! Mark assured the man that he'd get the man in and that he should come! Another time, while on a hike, Mark ran in to someone, an American living in Israel, who actually knew about Etta Israel! Mark was SO happy that someone recognized Etta, even halfway around the world, and could connect with him. Mark's pleasure in relating to people and his family was evident throughout the trip, and his family soaked it up!

...But My Heart Is in the East: Mark's first trip to the Kotel was during one of the busy days of Sukkot when throngs of people attend. But his second trip, on his second-to-last night in Israel, was quieter, and contained an extremely special moment. Aaron explained that they were saying goodbye to the Kotel as they were leaving Israel soon, and asked Mark to go up to the Wall and touch it. Then Aaron moved away. Mark remained at the Wall for 15 minutes, eyes closed, touching it. Aaron then came up to him and asked if everything was okay. Mark, with his eyes still shut, replied "Yes. I was just sitting here and telling things to Hashem (G-d)."

When it was time to board the plane, Mark asked if they absolutely had to go, because he wanted to stay. He had waited so long for this trip, and thank G-d, he enjoyed every minute. He spent time with family, connected at the Kotel, met many new people, and even danced on his cousins' shoulders on Simchat Torah. He still wears the kippahs and tzitzit that he bought on the trip, and loves looking at his picture album of his travels. And he tells everyone about the blog!

Mark and Aaron, it was really a privilege following you on this trip. We hope everyone reading enjoyed following along as well.