Cultural Adventures in Tel Aviv, Israel (Podcast Interview with Kyle Desrosiers)

Attempt Adventure Episode 3: Cultural Adventures in Israel with Kyle Desrosiers (Interview)

I'm proud to announce the launch of my new podcast, Attempt Adventure! Every week I meet online with my good friend James who lives in the USA, and we have a conversation about travel and adventure.

In episode 3, I interviewed my younger brother, Kyle! Kyle is a world traveler and adventurer, and is currently living and studying in Tel Aviv, Israel.

We discuss Kyle's recent experience in quarantine; Israel's massive vaccine program; celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and Purim; and connecting with local culture despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the full episode here, or wherever you get your podcasts:

Here are some of Kyle's photos from Israel to accompany the interview. Big thanks to Kyle for providing and captioning the photos! I hope to have him back on the podcast again in the near future, and as a guest writer on my blog to share more of his adventures in Israel.

Christmas Eve 2020, Jerusalem. A Russian Orthodox Sister prays an Office 
facing a stone from what the Orthodox Church believes was Christ's tomb.

East African Christians gather outside a small chapel in the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher, Christmas Eve 2020. They queue to receive Communion outdoors
because Corona restrictions prevent large indoor gatherings.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Pilgrims kiss the tablet where Jesus was believed to be anointed
after death and before burial.

Look! You can buy a crown of thorns as a souvenir! 

Painted ceilings of the Armenian chapel at the
 Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Roman Catholic altar,
Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Orthodox Chapel,
Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

The Great Synagogue of Jerusalem, reconstructed after destroyed and rebuilt
many times over. Floorplan is in the Sephardi style. 

YMCA Jersualem, decorated for Christmas.

Armenian Church at the Tomb of the Blessed Mother Mary.

My friends are in the Dead Sea swimming while
I sit on the shore thanks to a bad burn wound
that keeps me out of the salty water–which would really irritate a would.

En Gedi National Park, Israel. Jan 2021.

Purim festivities in Tel Aviv - celebrating God's faithfulness with a little indulgence and extravagance.

Purim is sometimes called "Jewish Halloween", and people are encouraged to wear costumes (often animals).

Purim at the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv

They act out the story of Queen Esther with costumes and fanfare.

Purim in Tel Aviv

And finally, here is a mini photo gallery of some street scenes of Tel Aviv shot by Kyle on 35mm film.

Listen to new episodes of the Attempt Adventure podcast weekly (new episodes released every Thursday)! You can find us on our official website attemptadventure.com, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!