Stuck!!! The Greatest Adventure of my Life.

I am socially anxious. People, especially lots of people make me nervous. I suppose it's not a big deal, and really kind of dumb--but I accept it, and I'm moving on. For as long as I can remember I have avoided people--in recognition of this, and in an attempt to remedy my anxiety, I often shove myself out of my figurative "nest," and attempt to fly. Well, here I am, at Ben Gurion airport in the midst of hundreds of people, only some of whom I know and feel comfortable with. For the time being I'm not "flying" anywhere, literally, or figuratively speaking. I dive-bombed from my nest, and landed flat on my rear. From this vantage point, and having nothing else to do, I write about being stuck; the one time in my life when being stuck is probably the best thing for me. I am not stuck in my house, my hometown, or even my dorm room 3 states away. I am not comfortable with where I am--in fact, my rear is quite sore from the rough landing I had. Or maybe it's the rock-hard mattresses, the googleplex of bus seats, or hard plastic chairs at bus and airport terminals. In any case, here I am at rock-bottom--and determined to learn from the experience. After all, the only the direction I can go from here is up.
Lesson number one, and I say this grudgingly--Travelers insurance is a good idea, at least it is if you plan on spending several grand to go to Israel and while you're there war breaks out and evacuation is necessary. Ah, c'est la vie, I've been exposed to archaeology and now I'm hooked--the real challenge is finding the funding--hence do purchase travelers insurance--adventures are expensive. And then of course if you have insurance, sometimes you can get a flight right away......or you can be on stand-by forever like me.........part of an adventure, I am part of an adventure!
So yay for my first serious flight experience! If one bad cliche wasn't enough, I'd like you all to know that, yes, I'm ready to get right back on the horse, (or in this case a camel or donkey might be more appropriate) and start digging again. Hippos was amazing--I've been looking forward to this since fifth grade when I read Paul Meier's, "Skeleton in God's Closet." History, connections to the past, and a desire to bridge the vast stores of wisdom and culture across time; these things drive me to travel across oceans and continents- in search of a buried city. While there, I found more than just a buried city, and I don't just mean a manical desire to pick rocks and boulders Dr. Anders. I found more than enough potsherds to build several pots, which inspires a newfound appreciation for the durability of plastic--except when it's a plastic pottery bucket and it's cracked and won't hold water to soak potsherds in. The world still holds it's conundrums today. I found friends; wonderful friends--just another reason to keep shoving myself out of the "nest." I do so appreciate those who can handle my socially awkward ways-thanks friends! I found dirt-and lots of it, everywhere! Good thing I'm somewhat fond of dirt. Speaking of dirt, I found renewed humility. I spent time with 7, or was it 8 doctors, and those who weren't--might as well have been, for the knowledge and experiences each brought to our group could have filled several thesis over. I am truly blessed to have spent time with such wonderful people.
Sitting in this airport I have not found patience, but instead grasp it desperately, as slowly it begins to slip away and is replaced by a soreback and tired eyes. They say whatever doesn't kill you-only makes you stronger--at this rate, if I live, I should be able to lift large trucks with my gluteal muscles!