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!

Jesus was a carpenter…or not?

Our entire group is realizing that it’s okay to talk about going home.

Today we went to a place that was the home of Jesus during his childhood, Nazareth.

We went to the synagogue where He read Luke 4 and then received a not-so-hot reception for His exegesis of the scripture.

We had a lunch here in Nazareth that may surprise you.  It was spaghetti - pretty good, actually, and chased by an amazing macaroon. 

Our first stop of the day was Sepphoris, which is also known as Zippori.  This was once a Hellenistic, yet Jewish community (with signs of wealth).  The Crusaders built a fortress here YEARS later.  There are signs still today from a Moslem cemetery that was lost during 1948 when that community fled to save their lives.  There’s a lot of history there – layers and layers.

Every place we go is like this.  There has been so much time for so many people to live and to die.  Our trip is peeling back every story.  It’s so impossible.  I certainly could never remember everything I’ve been told on this trip.

I do have some nice nuggets to share with you that I found interesting today.

I always thought Jesus was a carpenter.  But he was actually a “Tekne”.  This is the Greek word for “artisan” or “builder”.  And, trust me, there is really not wood over here unless you’re counting on olive trees.  He was most likely using stone.  (A good guess would be limestone.)  If he was working with wood, it was for smaller items.

Second nugget:  Ever wonder why we celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday?  After Jesus’ death and after the Romans destroyed the second temple (70 AD), there were two groups in Judaism.  (Although they weren’t called under that name.)  These groups were the Pharisees and the Christians.  The Jewish groups starting cursing the Christians at the end of their worship together on Shabbot , which would have been Saturday.  So, the Christians moved their worship to Sunday mornings.  Christians also justified this move because Jesus was raised on a Sunday.

Something I’ve enjoyed about this trip is getting to know clergy as people instead of church leaders.  So often clergy are placed on a pedestal.  They have so much pressure on them to be perfect, to not mess up, to always say the right thing, to never be upset, to never curse, to never drink, to always be praying, to have no bad habits……. to not be sinners.

It has been refreshing to meet the people on this trip because they ARE sinners.  I think about approaching my pastor with problems or concerns I may have.  I think about how I used to worry about him/her judging me.  But now that I can view this person as I view myself, I am more willing to ask the difficult questions, the embarrassing ones, and to share the hard truths.  This liberation all comes with knowing that clergy also carry these burdens, these mistakes, these dilemmas.  

Knowing all of this, instead of not asking, I will ask.  And because I will ask, I will receive. 

Love to you all!

The Gates of Hell

Today the weather redeemed itself.  With two hikes in the itinerary, it was nice to wake up to the sun pouring down on our backs. 

The hikes were beautiful .  Our first hike was at Tel Dan.  This is quite a site with three significant eras of history to show for it.  I don’t have my notes to help me explain so that will have to be later.

Our next hike was long and had the muckkiest mud I’ve been through in sometime.  I don’t think any of us were able to see the hike for having to watch our feet.  But when we did look up there was a great waterfall to see.  This site is famous for Peter’s confession.  It is also famous for housing the “Gates of Hell”, a large pit that they thought was Hell because they couldn’t see its base.  This site is called Ceasarea Phillippi as a Biblical name, (named for Ceasar and for Herod’s son, Herod Phillip).    The falls here are called Banias falls.  It used to be called Paneas because the god, Pan was celebrated at this site too.  The Arabs that moved here did not have a “p” in their alphabet so the closest they came to saying it was “baneas”.  Eventually it came to be known as Banias. 

After our hike we were starving and drove to a Druze village where we ate.  The Druez are to Islam what Mormons are to Christianity.  Or at least that’s how our guide put it.  They are superstitious, but very nice.  The food was good too.  We had Druze sandwiches (yogurt and spices on pita) and schnitzel. 

The drive to get lunch and the drive away was beautiful.  We had a great view of Mt. Hermon, which is covered in snow right now.

I can't believe this is the picture I uploaded.  IT was an accident and it took like FOREVER minutes to upload, so I'm stuck with it for now.  Better pictures available for future viewing.

All of today took place in what was once Syria.  For the record, “Once Syria” is beautiful country.  We stopped on the way back and looked over to Kuneitra and the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission.  No-Man’s land sits between Kuneitra and where we stopped to look.  Kuneitra is in present day Syria. 

Today’s sites really did remind me of Ireland in how hilly and green they were, but they also reminded me of mountain trails in the Eastern US.  It was strange to look around and feel so familiar with my surroundings. 

I am glad that I will be going home soon.  Everyday, I miss home for different reasons.  And everyday, I wish folks from home were with me for things I know they would enjoy.  Being here has been wonderful.  The landscape is amazing and the people are kind.  I certainly understand more why so many people claim this for home.  But that being said, it’s not my home.

Love to you all!

Title to come soon for the 19th

I woke up feeling physically bad this morning.  I could feel my blood pressure rise as I heard the alarm going off entirely too early.  Normally getting to my feet can change my outlook, but not today.

I just couldn’t get going.   As a result, I barely had breakfast and did not wear enough layers for today’s wet and cold day.

Although we never had bad rain and sun was always in sight, the big cloud keeping it out of my reach was ever present.

This was the first day that I wanted a Coke and a piece of chocolate for breakfast.  I felt like this would change my entire day and outlook.

Instead, I walked outside to find my outfit ineffective for the cold wind and not enough time to go back in and change.

Our first stop, Bethsaida, was a bleak way to start the morning, but I have to be fair.  It probably would have been lovely had the weather just been different.  (By the way, “bet” means “house”).  This is another tell and is on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee.  King David’s son, Absalom, is thought to have spent much time here in this city also known as “Zer” in the territory of Geshur.  Some of the findings here go back to 1000 B.C.E.  The four-chambered gate to the city is unparalleled compared to anything else of this period.  Moving forward in time, Peter, the disciple had a house here (and in Capernaum.)

The sun started cooperating more for our next stop, which was a really pretty birds-of-prey sanctuary called Gamla in Golan Heights.  Gamla was sort of like the northern version of Masada for the Zealots in their last attempts against the Romans.  There was an entire fortressed community at this site that no one knew about until Israel annexed the area from Syria during the 1967 war.  With the new Israeli ownership, excavations were made and this community was found.  Here lies one of the few 1^st century synagogue remains.

Our next stop brewed up super cold wind and the sun completely disappeared.  We watched a REALLY lame film and then were encouraged to look around the site.  Ill be honest.  I don’t even know what it was.  I heard a little and got the brochure, but I was SO cold that I just ran back to the bus and huddled with my knees to my chest.  I felt like such a loser, but I am no good with cold weather and not enough clothes.  I’ll figure out what I missed later.

Lunches and dinners here are no different from one another or from day to day.  It’s always the same salad, a soup, and meats served the same ways.  I try to be grateful of having a meal that in SO many ways is more than others have, but the truth is that I am sick of it.  When lunch came today, I pulled out my granola bar and bought a coke while the others paid 20 shekels for soup, bread, and water.

This move, however bad it may have been, changed my whole day.  I began to feel better, the sun came out, and we made our way to a winery.

Golan Heights Winery was a neat place with a groovy tour guide and a bad tour.  (Of course, I’m comparing it to the KY Bourbon tours.)  The wine tasting consisted of a Riesling, a syrah, and a dessert wine.  (The syrah was really good.)

During the ride back to the hotel I was in a happier mood for sure compared to my presentation as the early-morning traveler.

Once back, Ashley and I changed into our swimsuits and put regular clothes over top so we could sneak to the natural springs after dinner.  She had bought a red blend from the winery that was great.  Two glasses of it, a little dinner on my stomach, and a COLD walk to the springs in the dark led me to EMBRACE the hot springs that are right on the Sea of Galilee.

I had a great time here.  It was just me, Ashley, and another groovy seminary student from our group.  I could make grand fun of this place – the fact that it feels like another YMCA, or perhaps that it’s packed with groups of more men than women on a Thursday night, or maybe the way they’ve essentially blocked the Sea of Galilee from the very view that’s advertised.  But the truth is it was my fix to a bad morning start – my therapy.

Here’s to a good drink and hot water.

Love to you all!

PS I’m not posting pictures today because it is taking entirely too long to upload them.  Sorry if that was your only interest.

PPS This part of the country favors Ireland a little – green and hilly.

Compass reads North

Waking up our last morning in an Israeli oasis was a beautiful send-off.  We’ve been so fortunate with weather so far and today was no exception.    The Dead Sea did not disappoint either – it was stunning!

We didn’t get away from it before our first stop – Qumran.  This is the site where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls.  There are several caves here.  At the base of the mountain there is an Essene dwelling’s remnants.  When the Romans were perceived as a threat, it’s thought that the Essenes rushed to preserve the scrolls by stowing them away in these caves.

The Essenes were a sect of Judaism.  (Also, I should note that “Judaism” did not exist in Jesus day.  I learned this yesterday).  This sect shared the main Jewish beliefs, but what set them apart was that they were apocalyptic in nature. They believed the world was living in a time of separation from God and that the second coming would be soon.  They were considered “sons of light” and they thought the world had been taken over by “sons of darkness”.  They had separated from the rest of the people in an effort to preserve the divine teachings and practices of their religion because everyone else had fallen from the ways of Truth.

When we left there we had an exciting stop that we were not able to make.  Recently, they found the spot where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.  The plan was to have a reaffirmation of faith at this very site.  However, when we got to the entrance a festival of sorts was going on that would have prolonged us, forcing our entire day’s plans to change.  Reluctantly, we kept driving to a site farther north along the Jordan (to another kibbutz.)

The ride north surprised me.  The farther north we traveled the greener the land.  Eventually the land was covered with crops, banana trees, and palms.

It was really private and serene where we got into the Jordan River.  There were all kinds of muskrats swimming along.  We reaffirmed our faiths and then got in the water.  These little guys were very curious about us.  They would swim right up to us, smell us, and swim away.  Very cute!  Made me miss my dogs.

Next we took a boat around the Sea of Galilee.  We had mail-ordered weather for this ride!  From the boat we could see Golan Heights (formerly Syria until the Six Day War in 1967), Tabgha, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the Primacy of Peter.  Half of the lake used to be considered the Gentile side.  The story where the demon jumps into the swine and they run into the lake happened on the Gentile side since having pigs would have been against Jewish law.

When we docked we were able to try St. Peter’s fish for our lunch.  For the record it tastes like a tilapia or flounder.

Our afternoon started with a visit to the Primacy of Peter.  There is a beautiful church here that is traditional, yet modern.  This is where John 21:1-19 takes place when Jesus teaches Simon Peter and 6 others to “feed My sheep”.  This is sometimes discussed as a reversal or redemption scripture for Peter since Peter is asked (by Jesus) three times “do you love me?”  (This takes place after the resurrection of Christ.)

Next we visited Capernaum, Peter’s home and church, which is referred to in scripture as Jesus’ home as well.  This site is unique because instead of being traditional it is also historical.   It is safe to say archeologists are sure of this site and it’s purpose.  It’s a large site.  Part of it is made of volcanic rock and the rest is of limestone.  There’s a 4^th century (Byzantine) limestone synagogue over the 1^st century black stone (volcanic) Synagogue of Jesus next to the site of Peter’s home.  We stopped to read Mark 1-3 in the modern church.  This church is beautiful with a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee and a glass floor that reveals the ancient site of Peter’s home beneath.

Our last stop was Tabgha, where Jesus fed the crowd with only 2 loaves and 5 fish.  There are coy fish in the courtyard pond before the modern day church that is there.  (One of my favorite gift shops was here.)

We are now at our hotel – our final nights will be here.  It is the nicest accommodations yet.  We turned the TV on for the first time since arriving.  We have gone from a spa and resort that felt like a retreat, to a hotel that feels like a resort.  We even have a couch!  It will be nice to walk into the bathroom without getting wet.

Love to you all!

Bromide with your air?

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve was our first stop today – a morning hike.  It is beautiful and full of wildlife.  There are several falls.  This place is referenced in 1 Samuel 24:1-3 as King David used it to hide from King Saul.  As you can see there are many caves to hide in, and the springs would have provided water for him.  Those springs today are where Ein Gedi get’s its drinking water.

The Ein Gedi Synagogue is at the base of the mountain between the nature reserve and the Dead Sea.  This is the only synagogue they’ve found listing 13 church fathers beginning with Adam.  Most only list the church fathers as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Another point that made it unique is that it has the zodiac signs written in lines instead of circles. 

(There was a friendly group doing more excavations today!)

Masada was Herod’s palace, and later it became a Zealot Fortress.  After the fall of Jerusalem, it became a crucial stronghold against the Romans, who eventually defeated the Zealots.  This place is huge!  It covers a mountaintop.  Herod definitely made sure he had a gorgeous view in his homes.

Pictured above:  Cable for cable car that takes folks up to Masada

The body of water you're seeing is the Dead Sea from Masada.

Masada was our last stop today and it was peppered with young Israeli student groups.  We had lunch in the cafeteria there before having the rest of the day to spa, catch up on laundry, or prepare to pack/move on to a new place tomorrow.


All day today we have been in or near Ein Gedi.  What you might not know is that bromide is in the air in this area and that it can make one very sleepy.  Whether I was physically influenced or just psychologically influenced, I'll never know.  What I do know is that it was with heavy eyelids that I saw today's sites.


While most in the group used our 2pm and on to themselves to pack, clean, or spa, I slept.  Two hours I slept.  And now, hours since my nap, I am about to sleep again. 

A word about our Group

We are a group of 28.  Eight are clergy.  Eleven are seminary students.  The rest are random strays like myself, except not so random because several are spouses or family members of the non-strays.  They are a friendly and very chill group.  I think for the most part, we represent the USA well.  We don’t have any loud or obnoxious pilgrims among us (writer excluded).  Most are Lutheran, however, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist denominations are represented in our bunch.  The ages are incredibly varied from 20s to 70s.  It’s been fun.  I can’t believe I’ll be home in a week.  I need to savor all of this before it disappears before my eyes.

Our final destination tomorrow will be Tiberias, and our journey there should be very memorable.  I will look forward to blogging about it all.

Love to all!

PS  I am very happy about leaving my present bathroom.  The floor needs to be regraded.  It dictates that I get wet no matter what I do in the bathroom.  Just want to look in the mirror?  Get a towel!

Yes, this point will not be missed.


PPS  After much encouragement, I have enabled comments. Please don't be mean.  I am a novice.  :)