Ultimate Peace 1 - I've Arrived in Israel

Ultimate Peace Camp is just days away. And now, after a 12-hour flight, a short train ride, and a possibly gimmicky (let me show you the beach and get stuck in traffic) cab ride, I'm in Tel Aviv. Acco is merely hours away and the plan is to head there tomorrow.

My initial reaction to this city was awe. From the very developed freeway and transit system to the high-rise hotels on the beach, Tel Aviv has modern amenities and yet a dusty edge-of-the-desert feel. I'm staying at a hostel just a couple blocks from the beach... see below picture for a view (taken in a taxi; I haven't really walked around yet).

I'll be making a concerted effort to thank you for your support of this adventure by involving you in Camp goings-on and whatever else comes my way this month. Please check back on this blog, or click "Follow" in the right margin so that updates show up in your Google Reader or other feed.

If you haven't already gotten a look at some of the multimedia from past years camps, check out this youtube playlist, starting with CNN International coverage last summer. Feel free to add me on twitter @benjamminspears and Ultimate Peace @UltimatePeace.

Thanks, and my love from the Middle East.