Home from Israel

We've been home about a week now and it is time for me to put the last entry on the Israel blog. We had a late night flight so we toured all day and then we had a dayroom at the hotel where we could clean up and get ready for our flight. We started off by going to the spot where Caiaphas' home was and we went into the church where the cistern was where it is thought they held Jesus the night before the crucifixion. There were steps outside too that led down the way they would have taken him and the stones were there in the time of Jesus so it was an amazing feeling to know we were standing where he walked. Next we went to the Garden Tomb which is much more the way most of us have pictured the tomb to be. It is a beautiful place today and we could see Golgotha. There were places around where they put benches where groups like ours could gather and celebrate the Lord's supper together. First we went to the tomb and were able to go in and see the tomb. Then we gathered at our spot had communion and it was a very fitting last day experience for our group. When we got back on the bus, our bus driver suggested that he get pizza for us and took us to a beautiful spot overlooking Jerusalem where we could sit and walk and visit til the pizza arrived. What a treat to be outdoors and to see these vistas one last time.
After lunch, some of our group was dropped off at the Old City to shop and wander and those who wanted to (like us) went to the museum so we could see the Dead Sea Scrolls. To have been to Qumran where they were found, it was quite beautiful to actually see these documents that we have heard so much about. From there, we went back to the hotel and relaxed until dinner. After dinner, we said our goodbyes to the group that was going on to Egypt and headed for the airport. Sigh, we did not get the free upgrade this time and had to get home in our usual economy seats. But we did have aisle seats and it was a pleasant flight and after a day of touring in the heat, we were all pretty tired.
We did enjoy this trip so much and I know that it will be even more meaningful as we study the Bible more and remember the places we have seen and the relationship with one place to another. We feel very blessed to have gone on this trip and we felt perfectly safe at all times. If you get a chance, go!

Last Day in Israel

beside the garden tomb

Jim coming out of the garden tomb

The place where Jesus may have been held the night before the crucifixion.

It is hard to believe our trip to the Holy Land is drawing to a close. With a late night plane flight, we have the day for touring and last minute shopping. We left a little later in the morning than we have been so we could pack up all our bags and set them outside our rooms to be stored. With one last visit on the bus by Kojak, the jewelry merchant, we headed off for our morning's excursions. We went to the rooftop of a church where we had a great birdseye view of the city. As Hillel said, things are falling into place and we are seeing how all the pieces of the puzzle fit. He is an excellent guide. Next we went into a church that is built over the spot where it is speculated that Jesus was held overnight after he was arrested. He was kept in an empty water cistern where the guards could watch over him. We saw the steps where he would have been led away the next day. Then we went to the Garden tomb, another spot that is thought by some to be the tomb where He was laid the next day. It was a beautiful place now and all around were quiet spots where groups could meet and have communion or talks. We saw the tomb and then we took communion together in one of those places nearby.

Instead of going out to lunch, Maen, our driver, suggested he order pizza and we find a nice spot overlooking the city and enjoy the views together. So it was a really nice time together in a quiet spot and the views were spectacular. The hooded crows were excited that we were leaving the remains in a nearby trash can and they called and circled around overhead as we ate. We had a wonderful devotion as we waited for the food to arrive and it was just a really nice way for us to be together on our last day.
After lunch, those that wanted to went to the Old City shopping, some went back to the hotel to rest, and the others of us went to the museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. The museum is really impressive and built just for these. It is still amazing to me to see these scrolls and to know that they hold further copies of so many of the important documents from such a long time ago. After the museum visit, we went back to the hotel.

We had several rooms where we could clean up and get ready for our long plane flight home. Our luggage was in one room and we were able to get to it and put the last few things we bought where it needed to be. Then we had dinner together and the ones of us heading home identified our luggage and headed off to Tel Aviv on the bus. It was about an hour's ride. There was a group of , I think, seven who were going on for an extension to Egypt. Since we had already been to Egypt, we gave them our sage advice and waved goodbye to them. At the airport, Fred had to go through extensive questioning and then they pulled out a couple of our group and asked them the same questions. Then we had to send all our checked luggage through the xray machine. Once it was xrayed and cleared, we were able to go check in. Jim's bag was singled out for further hand searching-it turned out to be the pottery plate we bought that they could not figure out! Several other people also got the joy of having the bags searched. We checked in at the counter and went on through security (we did not have to take our shoes off or present our small zip lock baggie of liquids) and through the immigration station. After that, it was on to the gate. There is a lot of shopping at the Tel Aviv airport and it had free wi fi also, which was nice to use and read the news and so forth to while away the time til we boarded. Sigh, it was not a totally full flight so alas, no upgrade to first class this time. But Jim and I both had gotten aisle seats when we checked a couple of weeks ago and changed our seats so we'd have as much room as possible. It was a nice flight and I slept a good part of the time, thanks to the help of dramamine and the long day of touring. We arrived in Atlanta at about 5:30 AM and actually had to wait about 10 min until the airport opened. Jim and I got randomly selected (as did Emily and Fred, Ken, and two of the Texas group, to go through the agricultural check. Luckily, we all passed and no contraband was found. We managed to get through all the lines of re-entering the country and Express 85 was waiting for us to take us back to Auburn. It was a nice, quiet ride as most of us were pretty tired.

So that brings to a close a wonderful trip to a most special place. I never thought in my lifetime that it would be peaceful enough for me to feel safe to go visit. But I am so thankful that we went and I never ever felt unsafe anywhere we were. EO does a good job of being sure we were where there was not a problem. To walk where Jesus walked was an experience that is hard to describe. It is very special and truly brings the Bible to life and helps me to understand so much. For me, it is a very special treasure, indeed.

a few more photos

Masada and Swimming in the Dead Sea

Today was a hot, fun day. We started off driving to Masada, which was back past Qumran where we went yesterday. Along the way, we see mostly desert and it is very desolate. Wilderness, indeed. But today I spotted a herd of camels out among the dunes and sure enough, when we came back, they were nearer the road so we could see them better and there were about 15 or more of them. There are also bedouin "communities" along the way, with camels, donkeys, goats and sheep. We saw several groups of ibex, some with longer horns than we saw the other day. We arrived at Masada and took the cable car up to the site. We were packed in like sardines and it was a short ride, but there was not much opportunity for photos or anything. We were just too close together. Hillel did a great job of telling us about Masada and the different parts of the camp and all. They have done a great job of combining what remains of the original structures and also adding just a bit so you can see it better-and they clearly define where the originals stop. I was one of the first to fold and say I had had enough-it was so hot and after awhile, all the ruins tend to look alike. There were 4 of us who opted to go on back down on the cable car and the others joined us within 20-30 minutes. The air conditioned welcome center and the ice cold Coke surely hit the spot! we did see a unique little mouse type animal when we were up there. I can't remember the name of it but it was more like a hamster than a rat or mouse.

Next we rode back to Qumran and ate lunch at the welcome center there. Again we opted to just have peanut butter and crackers and something cold to drink-everything had garlic and onion. From there, we went to the Dead Sea to swim. Masada is beside the Dead Sea and the views are beautiful. The Dead Sea is much larger than the Sea of Galilee and is a beautiful aqua color. They have changing rooms at the place we went and so some of us donned our swim suits and experienced not being able to sink in the water! You go down and get in about knee deep or less and just sit back and you are floating. In fact, it is very hard to stand back up! You just bob and rise and trying to get those feet down is not easy. The mud is squishy and while some lathered themselves with it, I only stepped in it when I could not see it. Some of the bottom has that mud and some is more sandy and you can't see where you are stepping. It was fun though and an experience not to be missed. So after going back up and showering and getting dressed, we had something cold to drink and headed back to the bus. The salt is not that easy to wash off and even after showers, most of us were anxious to get back to the hotel and take another shower.

Jim and I however, caught a cab to the Jaffa gate of Old Town and wandered around and looked at the shops and things and came back out at the Damascus gate, walking back to the hotel from there. On the way we passed the garden tomb which we will go to in the morning. We also passed the American consulate and several churches. The Olive Tree is in a great location in Jerusalem. As we were walking, we saw the markets of fruit and meet and other such things. We were glad to have the time to go there and just wander.

Life is full and rich here in Jerusalem and it is very interesting to just people watch wherever we are. Hillel has been a great guide and he has been fabulous about helping us put the puzzle pieces together. I am thankful that my faith does not depend upon knowing the exact places that things happened. It is enough for me just to know that they did and the places we have seen have been as meaningful as if they were absolutely certain the spots were where things happened. But it has been a wonderful pilgrimage to come and relive the life of Jesus and many other of the other stories we have learned from the Bible.

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starting the walk on the Via Dolorosa

Zacchaeus's tree

more photos of today

Cave #4 where all the books but Esther were found.

Madge in front of the Dead Sea

Jim touching stone where they laid Jesus after he died

More Jerusalem, Dead Sea Scrolls and Jericho

This morning we spent following the last day of Jesus. We started in the temple mount and then we walked down and saw the pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man. We were not able to carry our Bibles to the Temple mount, but Hillel had a small one he smuggled in so we read along the way, which was so nice. We lost one member of our group and so we sat for quite awhile at the church of St Anne,who was the mother of Mary. We sang in the church as the acoustics are just wonderful. Other groups sang too and we joined with a group from Ethiopia when they sang Amazing Grace. Then after we rounded up our lost sheep, we started on the stations of the cross. We went to the place where Jesus was beaten and dressed in the robes and crown of thorns. The streets were not as crowded as I expected and we were able to walk and ponder what had happened on this street. The Via Dolorosa is very narrow and there are shops along the way and we turned and twisted our way all along the way. There was one place where it is said that Jesus fell and braced himself with his hand upon the wall and that spot is worn down from people putting their hands there -and of course we all had to do that as well. We ended up at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which has been built around where they said Jesus was crucified, the stone where he was laid out and the tomb where he was laid. At least it is one of the spots thought to be the tomb. We also went in Joseph of Aremithea's new tomb he carved after Jesus death. From there we left via more of the old city. We ate lunch and had a bathroom stop. We ladies were behind a whole school of little girls waiting ....so we went on. later Jim and I came back to those same bathrooms and I think the entire Israeli women's army was in there. They had even commandeered the men's room. I got a laugh out of that.

From there we walked to where we could board the bus and headed out of Jerusalem. First we went to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Can we say desert and hot hot hot!! I had forgotten my hat today which was not bad this morning, but at Qumran, I borrowed a hat from the Ludwigs and then bought me a new one in the gift shop for the rest of the afternoon. From there, we dropped Hillel off at our familiar Camel stop oasis and we went on to Jericho. It is another place we had to go through a security stop and Israeli citizens can not enter. So Fred gave us the info as we saw the remains of old Jericho that they are excavating and we saw monasteries on the hillside that reminded me of the ones in Greece. We stopped by a glass place that has the Hebron glass which is so pretty. Then it was back on the bus, go back through security (which was nothing today) and we picked up Hillel and headed back to Jerusalem. It was a long day but not as tiring as yesterday to me. I think the breaks this afternoon on the air conditioned bus helped. Tomorrow we are going toMasada and we are going to swim in the Dead Sea-or float. We saw the Dead Sea today and it was quite beautiful-Qumran is right beside the Dead Sea. It was a very good day.

Jerusalem

On the teaching steps

More photos of the day in Jerusalem

Jim at the wailing wall

Group singing in the upper Upper Room

Walking where Jesus walked

Garden of Gethsemane

Mt of Olives

Today was a day spent seeing the sites in Jerusalem. We have more to do tomorrow but today was very special as we went to so many places we have read about and envisioned all our lives. I have to say, some places are hard to envision because of the modern day things that have been built, but Hillel is doing a great job of helping us to see the way it would have looked when Jesus was here. We started off by going up to the Mt of Olives and having our devotional there, overlooking Jerusalem. It was actually chilly when we sat there. The entire day was sunny and hot except that there was a cool breeze blowing that made it wonderful when we were in the shade or could take advantage of it. Up on the Mt of Olives, there was the tourist camel to ride for those who had not had that fabulous experience before. Since we had done it so elequently in Egypt, we passed on that one. From the Mt of Olives, we walked down into the Jewish cemetary and overlooked the old city. We walked on down to the Garden of Gethsemane and I think for me, this was the place that I could really picture Jesus there. The way we walked down from the Mt of Olives was the way that Jesus would have come in from Bethany. The garden of Gethsemane was beautiful and the olive trees so craggy and unique. We went from there over to the Upper Room. We had our devotional for that and our communion, which had been consecrated by Brother Charles before we left home, in one of the shady spots right outside the upper room since the crowds were so big today. They are working on restoring the Upper Room so it had workers in there and I actually felt like the room off the Upper Room was more like I would have envisioned it to be. This is one of those places that we can only envision if this is the place-but it makes it more real and makes my limited mind be able to wrap around it. We visited King David's tomb which is next to the Upper room and in the Jewish tradition, the women had to go on one side of a wall to see it and the men on the other.

Next we went to lunch and a shopping jaunt. This place seemed very high to me compared to the others we had been to. The lunches are preset, but we pay for them as the breakfast and the dinner are included. Today we just ate some peanut butter crackers we had brought. Much of the food has had garlic or onion so it has made it more difficult for me. There are not the choices to get a sandwich or order off a menu. But for large groups, it is fast and easy and makes perfect sense.

After lunch, we headed to the Western Wall or wailing wall. We all had our prayers written before we got there. Again, there was the lady's side and the men's side. The men's side is much bigger than the lady's side and we had to wait our turn and wedge in to get a chance to place our prayers and pray. But it was a special feeling to visit there and be able to take part in this tradition. From there, we went to the South Wall where extensive renovation and archeological digging has taken place. We were able to see so much of how the town was built on level upon level. Hillel has told us that so many places we can only guess at exactly where Jesus did certain things but this place held places that he said you could be sure Jesus and his disciples had walked upon these stones. We went and sat on the teaching steps and Jesus would for sure have been there too. So these were very special to visit. Such history is everywhere here. If you dig in a parking garage or a backyard or a flower bed, you would unearth some treasure or some evidence of the centuries of life here. What a treat to experience this.

overlooking Jerusalem

wilderness

sunrise on the Sea of Galilee

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In front of the manager where they laid the baby Jesus.

spot where they say Jesus was born

Church built over the cave where they say Jesus was born. There was a wedding they were setting up for!

Ok now for the pictures

Let's see how successful I am now with getting photos to upload!

On the road to Jerusalem

Today was the day we left Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee. It is such a beautiful area that I hated to say goodbye. The scenery quickly changed and we crossed the Jordan river which was not much larger at that spot than the creek that runs behind our house. We soon began to understand the meaning of the words "wilderness" and "desert". Jesus' temptation in the wilderness took on new meaning after seeing that. They are doing great things now with making some of the land more functional, but it truly is a desolate and barren land. The first stop for the day was at Beit Shean, where they put Saul's head after he had fallen on his sword as told in the book of Samuel. The ruins there were amazing and we walked to the top of the tel (hill) which had a view of the entire area. It was quite a site. There was an earthquake there several thousand years ago and it toppled many of the columns and other buildings. A Coke surely did taste good when we got back to the entry! Starting at sundown last night, the jewish community was observing their sabbath so we had numerous stores and things that were closed. But we worked around it fine. We stopped at a truck stop type place for a break in the travel after that and there were camels to ride, which none of us ventured to do at this point. From there, we went to Jerusalem and we first went to a high point and overlooked the city. It is not at all like I pictured it but it is a beautiful place. We are staying at the Olive tree hotel here and we can get internet in our room so this helps! At the lookout point, a vendor that Hillel (our guide) knew came and helped us with some souvenirs! His pockets were lined nicely when we returned to the bus.
Next we went to Bethlehem but Hillel could not go with us into Bethlehem. Israeli citizens are not allowed in Bethlehem is administered by the Palestinian authorities. So he got off right before we entered the checkpoint and we went to the Nisson brother's establishment for lunch, followed by a rousing shopping trip next door at their store! And they provided us with a good guide through the city of Bethlehem as well-all helping the Christian community which has been suffering the last few years due to the drop in tourism. The shopping had everything we could want in one place and we were quite pleased with several of our purchases.
Next we went to the Shepherd's field which really didn't look too much like a field at all. They have built a beautiful chapel there and we had a very meaningful devotion and Bible reading and sang several songs relating to Jesus birth. There was a Greek Orthodox service going on at the Church so we had to go see different areas of the church which has been built over the place that they say is where Jesus was born. We finally were able to go down to the cave like area and we had another Bible reading and sang several nativity songs. It was a very special experience. We then left Bethlehem and said goodbye to our guide there and at the security point, a soldier came onboard the bus and checked us out and we headed on back to Jerusalem, which is not far at all. We checked into the Olive Tree hotel and had a good evening meal. Several of us walked over to a nearby hotel that had a beautiful garden, but we had not taken the camera. Hopefully we can get back over there before we leave.

hopefully another

Odds and Ends

We are staying at the Royal in Tiberius and it has very tempermental elevators. It has gotten to be a big joke that you will get your hand cut off if you try to stop the doors. There is just barely time for one person to run in or out when the doors open. Several times, Jim and I have ended up taking separate elevators because the doors have shut and left the other standing there. But the location is awesome and the view of the Sea of Galilee from our 8th story room is just awesome. Yea, a picture! This is the Sea of Galilee. I will send it so it can post!

Wonderful Day

Today was a wonderful and full day. We drove over to the Mediterranean and visited Caesarea. The ruins are just spectacular and the history is just wow. We saw so many special places today and the pictures can speak better than I can so I am hoping that I may eventually be able to get some online. We ended the day in Nazareth-at the well where the angel visited Mary to tell her of Jesus impending birth. The church is Greek Orthodox and has wonderful pictures and all in there. There was a funeral about to begin so we did not stay inside very long. We also went to the aquaduct at Caesarea. It was a lot of driving but so worth it. The day was warm, but a nice breeze made it much better than yesterday. We did a lot of walking, going up and down steps and so we feel we had our workout. Today I am beginning to understand that we are truly walking in the paths of Jesus. Despite the modern towns and things, I can picture life as it was when Jesus was a boy and when he and the disciples walked this way. We went to Armageden today also. There is an underground water system that was just amazing-how did they figure to do these things so long ago? Israel is a beautiful country and flowers are everywhere. With the water problems, I am surprised but they do such gorgeous landscaping. We have decided that doves are the predominant bird and can understand why the Bible uses that in so many references. I still cannot get the photos to load so will try that again in Jerusalem. Tomorrow we had there and go to Bethlehem on the way.

Try again for photos

Last night after dinner, Jim and I walked across the road and walked by the Sea of Galilee at sunset. It was really an awesome sight-it is hard to take in where we are and what all has gone on here. You can see almost the entire sea of Galilee and our hotel looks out over it. To see the sun coming up over it is beautiful. Today we go to Nazareth, among other places. No luck with the photos this AM either. oh well.

photos

have been trying unsuccessfully to upload some photos. Blogger is not cooperating. Hopefully it will go faster when we get to Jerusalem in a couple of days.

A day on the Sea of Galilee

Today we made a complete circle around the Sea of Galilee. It is amazing to be in so many places where Jesus taught and where so many things we have always read about have happened. We took a boat ride and stopped to listen to the sounds and to have a worship service which was very memorable. We visited the ancient boat that was discovered not too many years ago. We went to the Mount of Beatitudes and had a devotional there. We went to Trabgha which is the traditional sight of the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000. SO many spots with such significance to our faith. We went to Capernaum which was the center of Jesus ministry but all around the Sea of Galilee we could imagine his steps and those of his followers. We had the St Peter fish for lunch with I thought was quite good. Then we went to the baptismal spot and we waded in the Jordan river (we had also waded in the Sea of Galilee) and it felt good on so many levels-one because it was so hot! We saw a lot of birds and we saw a water animal that looked like a muskrat. I think it is called at nutria. Israel is a beautiful country and the flowers are blooming everywhere and so pretty.

A First Class Day

Tonight we are in Tiberius Israel. I can hardly believe it. We went to Atlanta on the shuttle all together and that made a fun start for the trip. Then we hit a big traffic jam must this side of the airport and that slowed us up for about 30 minutes but we had plenty of time. The wreck that caused the jam was really bad. We had time at the airport to eat and visit with each other and enjoy some time together. We had to go through extra security again at the gate but we all made it. We were sitting in row 51 and were getting settled when the stewardess came and asked us if we would like to move up to first class!!! How long do you think it took us to say yes? lol Can I say it was wonderful! Filet mignon and being able to stretch out full length and sleep-heaven. We almost hated to see the flight end! Then we got through immigration and other stuff and got on our bus where we rode for 2 hours to reach Tiberius, where we will spend the next 3 nights. We can see the Sea of Galilee out of our room window. Tomorrow will be a full day and I am sure I will have much to write about and hopefully some photos as well.

Off to the Holy Land

Today we leave for our flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv for our tour of Israel. We are excited about it and plan to blog whenever we have the chance to get to the internet. The trip is just a little over a week long and we are praying for peace in the Middle East during that time especially!