A Thousand Words

 The Muslim Mosque, Site of the First and Second Temples

 Inside the Old City of Jerusalem

 The Muslim Quarter of the Old City

 The Western Wall/Wailing Wall

 View from base of ritual bath in Old City where one would have prepared for entering Temple

 Warren's Shaft which leads to Hezekiah's Tunnel in the City of David

 View from Herodian

 Another view from Herodian - you can see the Judean Wilderness in the back

 The City of Bethlehem

 Ceiling of Manger, Bethlehem

 Manger, Bethlehem

 Mosaic in Tomb of Jerome, Bethlehem

  View of Jerusalem from Mt. of Olives

 Donkey on Mt. of Olives (Jewish graves visible on other side of street)

 View of Muslim Mosque and Old City from Mt. of Olives

 Garden of Gethsemene, Mt. of Olives

 Uncovered earth/rock inside Church of All Nations

 Holy Sepulchre

 Inside Holy Sepulchre

 Candy out for grabs sale in suk of Old City

Damascus Gate to Old City

Vomitorium

What is this?  A Latin word I learned in Israel.  We saw a number of these because we came across a number of amphitheatres from the Romans.  The vomitorium was where people could "exit" from the stands.  I feel like my blog is becoming a vomitorium of sorts. I had no idea blogging was addictive.  I can't seem to stop writing.  But, you can always quit reading, so I guess there's no real burden on anyone if I write or not.  Proceed at your own peril.  Word vomit ahead.

On a similar note, I had a chance to look at my followers today.  A few surprises!  One really thew me for a loop - I have no idea how she found me.  But, I am so excited to see her sitting there under my blog!  And G-Pa, I know who you are!  I didn't at first, but now I do.  (I have to say) the name is a good one for you.  ;)  All very fun followers!  I'm so glad you chose to join me!

My plans for seeing my husband were delayed by a day today, but it was an awesome decision for the most part. (Save the fact that I am 21 days of separation from my boy - frowny face!).  I got a full day with my mom!  I got to see my sister and I got a second round with part of my bro's fam :)  We got some good stuff done puttering around.  I saw a church sign later in the day that read, "Come as you are, Leave different".  The irony in this is that when I left for my potentially life-changing trip, I had this very same chest cold.  

I started my day by losing a souvenir shell down a bathroom drain.  I found it in a Canaanite village from the Bronze Age on my trip.  You would have thought I lost a diamond by my reaction.  I was cleaning several shells in the process and it got me to thinking about Israel.  Mostly, about how I have no right to really share anything about it.  No worries, I will.  I'm just setting boundaries for myself.

My sister-n-law said to me the other day that it would be easier to talk about all that I saw in small doses.  I couldn't agree more.  Here's dose one:  my sister today asked me what was the one big thing that I learned on my trip.  I told her that I was shocked at how religion was really not a part of the tension in that area of the world.  It is, but then it isn't.  (It's here that I feel obligated to stop.)  I heard a Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim all say essentially this thought about the lack of religion in the conflict, so I feel like I can share that information and still be fair.  But after that, I guess all I can do is keep processing all that I saw, heard, and felt on my journey.

We met with a holy man who said that people come to his country (Israel/Palestine) for a week, and they return home to write a book about it.  Then others come for a month, and they return home to write an article.  And still others come and stay longer.  The longer they stay, the less they understand - these folks write nothing.  That's pretty humbling.  Do I know less for going than I did before?  I don't think so, but I will respect the fact that I cannot fairly convey what anyone is going through in that part of the world.  

If someone came to the US and spent two weeks here, would I really respect what they had to say about my country?  It's an interesting question.  I confess, I'd love to hear the impressions after a two week blitz of America.

I have looked at most of my 2000 pictures now and I really want to post some more on this site for people to see.  So for any who choose to stick around, there will be photo art to follow.

Enjoy your weekend!

Large fry=Small fry

Today's highlight was getting to see a precious niece, her mother, and my mother-in-law at a great dive for burgers.  This is one of those joints where a large fry and a small fry are actually the same thing.  Unfortunately the time flew by and I found myself holding them hostage in the parking lot as we went our separate ways.

I felt my best at lunch.  I guess I was delusional from medication because that feeling was gone by the time I got back to my parents house/home.  I now feel like Lake Placid has found it's way back to my upper lung chamber.  I continue to rattle when I breathe.  This is not normal.  I am a walking sound machine.

This visit to SC has not gone as planned.  I was supposed to feel better and see all of my family. 

Mission:  unsuccessful.

Adjusting back...

I left a small group of people that I had a connection with in the Holy Land and returned back to find my world the same.  This is neither a surprise nor a bad thing, but I noticed today that my mind was struggling to calibrate back to USA standards.  I’m back in a world where everyone I meet is on a separate path, doing his/her own things.  I may see them or spend time with these people, but then we’re all off to do our own thing next.  Independent living.  After two weeks of doing the same thing with close to thirty people everyday and every night, I was not expecting to get so attached to that solidarity.  In fact there were a few times when I just wanted to get away, but I guess I got attached despite myself.  J

I didn’t have an international plan for my phone, so I was free of that obligation while I was away.  As liberating as it was to not have to worry about a phone, the messages I found awaiting me were very welcoming. 

I tend to feel insignificant in life.  But, when I found a message from my sister, saw my brother, talked to my mother-in-law, and found some texts/emails from friends and family, it was very touching to be remembered, and it all made me feel really special.  That’s always needed and always appreciated.  To all the people that have fallen into one of these categories, I hope you will read this and know that I really appreciated hearing from you.  As soon as my mind and body are on the same page I hope to be in touch and make you feel as special as you ARE.  I have certainly thought about all of you while I was on my trip!

My first day back I woke up very early.  (I had to wake Norm up.  It’s normally the other way around.)  I also woke up starving.  This is not my morning routine.  So naturally, I had two PB&J sandwiches for breakfast.  Folks, I never eat TWO sandwiches and certainly not for breakfast, but my body was confused.  By midmorning, I was so tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open.  Taking the advice of the pilot I’d just seen in the Atlanta airport, I let myself sleep.  It felt wonderful to rest.  By lunch I was up and trying to make the day productive.  I spent the afternoon sorting out my luggage and trying to make sense of what I brought home including some gross laundry

Next was tackling the car.  I don’t even want to talk about that one.  I’ll learn more tomorrow about that Dx.

By nightfall, I was hacking like I had a permanent hairball.  These throat tickles began about five hours into my flight back from Israel.  I am @#$%^& about it!  I just got rid of this before I left and now it’s back.  My lungs are beginning to fill, and I just hate the idea of what’s ahead.  I’m so DONE with it!  My lungs must be the ultimate fun park for viruses and infections.  I have lost my patience for dealing with this stuff, but that matters little.  They always prevail over me.  My opinion holds no clout.  I am not a happy sick person.  I am an impatient, irritable sick person.  Wah.  I will pray that these lung germs will “yallah” out of here any day now.

I’ve gotten to see some special people since I got back home and that’s been a great highlight for me.  I’ve also been relieved to find things the same as before I left.  Every time I travel I worry that something may happen while I’m away.  But, a very special blessing is arriving home and finding everyone that I left safe and healthy is still that way.  For all of these things, I am very grateful. 

I hope my former bus-mates are all home and doing well.  I miss them.

Lastly I want to say a special thank you to all the people in my life that were sincerely happy and excited for me to have this trip.  It’s a gift to have opportunities, but it’s a bigger gift to have people in my life that want me to have them.

ASU eht ni kcaB

Have you ever tried to get the dark eye makeup off from under your eyes only to find out the color is actually your skin? 

(Now, boys, not all at once!)

So this is the manifestation of jet lag.  I have seen it.  Behold, my face:

Totally kidding.  I’m not posting anything that horrifying.

A puddle jumper got me to Columbia today for the last leg of my journey.  I got to sit by a cool Army dude heading home for R&R.  His plans for tonight were Red Lobster with his wife.

“So what were my plans?” you might be wondering….

Not sure, but here’s how my day went:

Tel Aviv to NY.  CHECK

Customs.  CHECK

NY to ATL.  CHECK

Wait for HOURS….CHECK

ATL to Columbia.  CHECK

For those wondering, my 11-hour flight back was magical compared to the flight over to Israel.  I had the window seat AND a free seat beside me.   I had no wind jets in my face.  The two jackets that did not suffice for the flight over were not even needed for my flight back.  I had a delicious (okay this is a fabrication..slightly) breakfast that I ate to completion.  The staff were nice, giggly even.  No one stood over or near my seat with mindless chatter.  I could see the movie screen if I desired.  No screaming babies.  Such a dream!

After my classless complaining about my flight to Israel, I figured I deserved a real dose of terrible sky travels, but not this time around.

When I finally made it home for the night it wasn’t long before I headed back out the door to go see some nephew/basketball league action.  His team didn’t win, but I loved seeing him and his team creating massive chaos in a church gym floor.  I sat there musing about how if someone came to visit the USA they’d have no idea to check out the little things in our culture like little league ball.  Sometimes the tourist route leaves out the stuff that counts.

I thought that would be it for today’s activities, but before I knew it I was at a Mexican joint eating my brother’s fries.

This little venture created some doubts about my tires. Something is not quite right.  I will have to check that out in the daylight tomorrow.

I am tired.  I have dark circles.  Did I mention this?  I am only able to stay awake for this blog entry by typing standing up.  Should I give in and sit, I will be asleep in seconds.

I have a real treat tonight.  

I get to sleep with Norm.  It’s good to be home.

Yallah! !hallaY

Last day!  A good day.

Our day started with a drive to Haifa and a visit with Archbishop Elias Chacour.

This was about an hour and a half visit, but I could spend days talking about what I heard during this time.  If you haven’t read his book, Blood Brothers, I would encourage you to do so.  Having read it, I found our visit with him all the more meaningful.

Haifa is a port city – felt the most like an American city than others I’ve been to since we arrived.  The Mediterranean Sea is beautiful, and we had a good chance for pictures.

Meggido was our next stop  - another Kibbutz.  This site included another palace built by David and fortified by Solomon.  YadaYadaYada. 

Just kidding, parts were cool.  J

Next stop, Ceasarea Maritime.  Stunning pictures made here.  We caught the sunset, played on the beach, saw our best video of the whole trip, and managed to catch some pictures at the remains a Crusader’s fortress (with a moat) before they closed the park.  The beach smelled like my Carolina coast – a comfort for sure.  Lots of history here!  This was the site where Paul was imprisoned.  This was also the site where Cornelius, a Godfearer wanted to become a Jew. Peter’s handy dream made it a little easier on this gentile’s dietary expectations as he made this religious transition, therefore changing the diet restrictions for a sect of Jews called Nazarenes.  Today, Nazarenes are called Christians, hence Christians don’t have to worry about “kosher”.  J

 

Our last stop before heading to the airport was Jaffa.  It was dark when we got there, so I could hardly see it or get a pulse for the city, but I wished I could stay longer.  The part of the town we were in reminded me of how I imagine Italy – small, winding roads with cute shops.  The people on this trip have been so nice and a good example was in one of these shops.  The girl running an art shop brought us all tea as we were browsing.  She laughed about how she couldn’t get a song out of her head, and she fussed over our packages so they would make it home, safe and sound.

We had our final meal in Jaffa.  It was a pretty good meal for a long plane ride home - chicken, lamb, and everything you could stuff in a pita.

Now, here I sit in an airport.  Every one of us in our group is dreading the ride home.  Who will we be sitting by?  Will it ever end?  Will we freeze?  Roast?  One thing we’ve concluded is that we hope to be sitting together.  We’ve grown to be enough like family to be able to be comfortable together sighing out loud (as I just heard Ben do in this terminal) and climbing over each other for bathroom breaks.  Hopefully no air vents will be blowing in my face on our journey.

Our little group is pretty funny.  We have a good variety of mostly type B characters with enough good type A’s to keep us straight.  I know I’ll miss having these guys and gals to pick on.

I’ll especially miss my partner in crime for this whole trip.  She put with my temperature needs, my long showers, my short attention span, and all of my quirks as if they were nothing.  It’s an honor to travel with such a class act.

Here’s to Ashley.  J

As our guide has said (more times than we’d like), it’s time to “yallah”, which is what it sounds like in Hebrew to say, “Let’s go!”

Love to you all!

The Ruah

Today we celebrated our Sabbath.  I’ll never forget today’s service.  We went to the Mount of the Beatitudes, a traditional site where we worshipped together for an hour.

Matthew 5

The Beatitudes

¹And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ²Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


⁴Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.


⁵Blessed are the meek, 
for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.


⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 


⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.


⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.


¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


¹¹"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹²Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The homily for today’s service focused on the language for the word “blessed”.  I always thought these were words of comfort, but they are more demanding that I first understood.  When Jesus spoke these words he was speaking in Aramaic.  In this language the word actually means more than receiving.  It means taking action – “to stir up” an emotion.  So, Jesus was calling them to be active in their faiths- letting that emotion work for God’s will.

We did a lot of driving after our morning worship and this was the first day that I chose to put my ear buds in and jam to Bebo Norman as we drove through a beautiful green (and wet) Israel.

We did stop at another tel, Bet She’an.  This was a miserable stop.  We all regretted it later.  All the rain that did not fall during our service found us at this site.  Cold, wet, and bad tempers were soothed as we pulled over for out BEST MEAL yet – a Schwarma (kind of like a gyro).

The long ride back provided an hour to think about how I’m going to manage to get all the junk I brought plus all the junk I bought back in my suitcase.

Wish me luck.

One day left.

Love to you all!