tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793629168950763322024-03-04T23:09:07.628-08:00St David's UC Blog (Calgary)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-4787770475308083292015-11-01T12:07:00.002-08:002015-11-01T12:07:55.020-08:00Returning home reflections...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After about 14 ½ hours in the air and about
24 hours of travel, we made it home last night. Thankfully, we were given an
extra hour with the “fall back” time change!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We had the opportunity to see history from
different eras:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">From the time of the First
Temple (8<sup>th</sup> – 6<sup>th</sup> Centuries BCE) at Megiddo, Jericho and
Jerusalem,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">From the time of Jesus and the
Second Temple (60 BCE to 70 AD) at Caesarea, Capernaum, Galilee, Bethany beyond
the Jordan, Qumran, Jerusalem and Bethlehem,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">From the time of the Romans at
all of the times for Jesus plus Caesarea Philippi and Jerash,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">From the time of the Byzantine
empire (330 ~ 690 AD) and crusaders (1095 – 1291) – especially in some churches
and left over strongholds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">From the time of the various
iterations of Caliphates and the Turks, with a special nod to Petra in this
period,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">From the time of the British
(early 1900’s to 1948),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">And finally from the modern
state of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We also saw a great diversity of landscape
ranging from the coastal plain to the highlands on either side of the Jordan to
the amazing wild of Wadi Rum, to the Galilee and the Dead Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We have met wonderful people from every
area, and found the Jordanians particularly hospitable. The guides were each
full of information and also left us with fond memories of each of them as
persons living in this tumultuous area. Of course we were also blessed with
wonderful travel mates, and friendships were made or deepened by this
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On the political front, we are much more
aware of the complexities of the area. Here is a Jewish nation who have been
hardened by the experience of centuries, indeed millennia of discrimination
crowned by the genocide of the Holocaust. It is not a united group, indeed more
divided that what we see in Canada, between the Orthodox Jews, those who come
from elsewhere to set up Jewish Settlements in the West Bank (substantially
increasing tension), the majority of observant or non-observant Jews who wish
to find a peaceful coexistence with the Arab community within Palestine,
Israeli Arabs, Arab Christians, and a small (mostly Orthodox) Christian
community. It is a complex world, surrounded by complex relations with Egypt,
Jordan, Lebanon, the remnants of Syria, and the rest of the Arab Islamic world.
We have a sense of the tension over the Temple Mount, and the deep distrust on
both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We also have had a glimpse into a world
where water is such a precious resource, and has been a deciding factor for
thousands of years. We are blessed in Canada in just so many ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">From the perspective of faith, it has been
deeply stirring. To have been in the areas where Jesus grew up and where he did
most of his ministry provides so much sense of context to the stories we have been
hearing since our childhoods. To walk the areas of Jerusalem that Jesus spent
his final hours and days within seems somehow more complex, but no doubt will
have its own impact. Mostly, all of this history seems more real now. And it
also leaves me with the full sense that Jesus is not to be found in these
places, but maybe it can help us find our own connection with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Gentle reader, thank you for coming with us
on this journey. May this journey be a blessing to each of you as it has been
for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-29762682113984304552015-10-30T07:38:00.003-07:002015-10-30T07:38:28.125-07:00We did make it to Jericho!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDL1TRViS9GG4q_H_0pegZG95daeb5paBlyebtAZrwhmdnYjiftgXjGrKbRuDhUtbGobBqu12zsMxUbl0NBeYy7O479FAL9zHAp6z7WW4SzOdtgE6O_UY6vAJ9uVH0bEsv4HhbkNHc6sI/s1600/PA300627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDL1TRViS9GG4q_H_0pegZG95daeb5paBlyebtAZrwhmdnYjiftgXjGrKbRuDhUtbGobBqu12zsMxUbl0NBeYy7O479FAL9zHAp6z7WW4SzOdtgE6O_UY6vAJ9uVH0bEsv4HhbkNHc6sI/s320/PA300627.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St George's Monastery</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">The plan had been to visit other areas in
the West Bank today, but they are not considered safe, and we can now visit
Jericho, so off we went. First stop was a view of St George’s Monastery from
the hills between Jerusalem and Jericho. It was an isolated spot; close to an
aqueduct that Herod had built to supply fresh water to Jericho… only 2000 years
ago. It was truly in the wilderness, but had to be rebuilt more like a fortress
after the Islamic invasion in the eighth century (not a good thing to be a
cleric at that time apparently). We also saw a small flower in the desert that
opens with water to take in the rain, and then closes again as it dries. A
miracle of the desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We stopped for a short time at sea level... in the middle of the dry hill country. Of course there was a commercial opportunity as well as a camel photo op for those so inclined. </span></div>
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The remains of the original Jericho consist
of a hill (tel) which may be 200m across… not terribly impressive given some of
the sites we have seen. But we went up the cable car to the Monastery of
Temptation – reputed to be the site of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness before
being tempted by Satan. The small cell high up on the cliffs is unimpressive,
but at least not off-putting. The Orthodox monastery itself is modest, filled
with icons and has a tremendous view. I am sure it does have a sense of
serenity once us tourists disappear for the day. <o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6kIQIaRCuMwzg1roIPB6S0kTxMc9PHFf2Q1isXbo4spBCwKgGr11m_MXo1wL_uqQfgqs96fGjH144p_ZKGVhOZ4vVn-oQJ7KEe36GP627GAUevZPVagVfPoHIQ6h4yOyaeRggmzW2xf6/s1600/PA300645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6kIQIaRCuMwzg1roIPB6S0kTxMc9PHFf2Q1isXbo4spBCwKgGr11m_MXo1wL_uqQfgqs96fGjH144p_ZKGVhOZ4vVn-oQJ7KEe36GP627GAUevZPVagVfPoHIQ6h4yOyaeRggmzW2xf6/s320/PA300645.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Monastery of Temptation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the Monastery over modern Jericho</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">We were treated once again to wonderful
Palestinian hospitality and a lovely lunch that included kebobs – very tasty! We
had the opportunity to thank Mossa, our driver and Ahuva, our guide for the
wonderful time they showed us, not to mention keeping us safe from stones
(apparently Jericho had been unsafe due to kids stoning cars a few days ago),
and the traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We arrived back at the hotel early to pack for our journey home tomorrow. I do not look forward to the long day and long flights, but I do think that I am ready for my own bed.<br />
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Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-25324485739390180622015-10-29T09:28:00.001-07:002015-10-29T09:28:27.104-07:00Jerusalem - the Old City<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today was our day to visit the old part of
Jerusalem. We started early and drove from our hotel north of the Old City to
the Dung Gate in the southeast, near the Temple Mount. Ahuva, our guide quickly
saw that the line was growing rapidly for the Temple Mount, so rather than stop
to visit the Western Wall (the Weeping Wall), we got into line for the Temple
Mount (entrance only open to non-Muslims until 10am). The reason for the
airport-style security check was the ongoing tension on the Mount between
extremists on both sides. Orthodox Jews want to re-take the Temple Mount to
re-establish a Jewish Temple, and fundamentalist Muslims still dream of a
Palestine free of Jews, and a Jerusalem for the Muslim Arabs. Most want peace,
but there are the extreme few and we saw not only a stack of riot shields ready
for use just before we entered the area, but ever-present armed Israeli
security. We also saw a group of Muslim women ready to make a fuss if anything
happened which they did not like (such as seeing an orthodox Jew come onto the
Mount) – and later heard them doing just that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8PtYRMLAd3r5lLPkSCnQ1Mce6R5UdskxpFSv5PgkjhygfasmnF6Abhny6M4FkNaeEfzkHpCCA3jruMTpl28VTHxanNZ92Jimao_kEBmFHu5o83A-VNZYe9CtznGUNtPGV4JL7EnhPHXp/s1600/PA280480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8PtYRMLAd3r5lLPkSCnQ1Mce6R5UdskxpFSv5PgkjhygfasmnF6Abhny6M4FkNaeEfzkHpCCA3jruMTpl28VTHxanNZ92Jimao_kEBmFHu5o83A-VNZYe9CtznGUNtPGV4JL7EnhPHXp/s320/PA280480.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The Mount itself is lovely, and larger than
I would have thought – probably 500 x 300m. At the south end is the El-Asqa
Mosque. The Dome of the Rock with its golden dome and octagonal tile-covered
base dominates the area. We cannot see inside, but the outside is truly
inspiring. The fact that this area has become a symbol of dissent and conflict
rather than a symbol of peace is truly tragic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We descended through the northeastern
corner close to the Lion’s gate of the city, and were aware that the Mount
rises a number of meters above any other area in the Old City. From here on we
seemed always to be either going up or down on the streets, sometimes with
stairs, on the slippery polished stones of the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_Qn77rJVxN6OXX-VBipNiZXpOQxGZ-Xlh7cExS275u8eexIFWk0gBDqdxC2dWkltGsI6qKZRl9fQoYMYgquvrDvP9nbKxrSVNovYt8pmqku9ol1VxEv9U2rAfVqJPPqbcX2W5te_m3IR/s1600/PA290519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_Qn77rJVxN6OXX-VBipNiZXpOQxGZ-Xlh7cExS275u8eexIFWk0gBDqdxC2dWkltGsI6qKZRl9fQoYMYgquvrDvP9nbKxrSVNovYt8pmqku9ol1VxEv9U2rAfVqJPPqbcX2W5te_m3IR/s320/PA290519.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Our next stop was St Anne’s church next to
the pools of Bethesda within the Muslim Quarter. Stepping into the area was
stepping into a garden within the city. It was a church going back to the time
of the crusaders, stone and unadorned, but with magnificent acoustics. We did
have a holy moment singing and feeling the sound ring though the simple domed
nave. We then went to view the remains of the pools of Bethesda (“House of
Mercy”) that have been there for 3000 years - at least 10m below grade. We
recalled the story of Jesus healing the cripple who waited by the pools – and
was criticized for doing so on the Sabbath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A little further on we joined the Via
Dolorosa, the path of Christ from his judgment by Pontius Pilot towards
Golgotha and the Tomb. There are references to the Stations of the Cross on the
wall as we moved, and we met other groups at times from Nigeria and somewhere
in the Far East who sang as they processed down the street. The street at this
point was walled, often with some shops on the side. It is wide enough that two
cars could pass if they had to, but thankfully there are almost no cars in the
Old City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We broke off from the Via Dolorosa to head
south through much narrower streets, lined with small shops and often covered
above to head to the Western Wall. At this point, if everyone cleared the
space, there may have been room for one car to pass through, but it was filled
with innumerable people, mostly visitors. Then the space opened some and we
were in a Jewish area, and came to another checkpoint 30m before coming to the
back of the square for the Wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjZvsqNyF8c37hxLNhAsz_umnxbit7n6lswoQev_lqlNgME16jPnuyZjxXcA6iM2PufR91Je5rixN-tYmxZyKuqt-DhhoJcFa2z5InmLSr8oClFn_hdFsPJfgk2UBg5ExaeNleMnq-Wj_/s1600/PA290570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjZvsqNyF8c37hxLNhAsz_umnxbit7n6lswoQev_lqlNgME16jPnuyZjxXcA6iM2PufR91Je5rixN-tYmxZyKuqt-DhhoJcFa2z5InmLSr8oClFn_hdFsPJfgk2UBg5ExaeNleMnq-Wj_/s320/PA290570.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The Western Wall was confusing to me. On the one
hand I felt I did not belong in this place of worship, yet here were hundreds
of people taking pictures next to others fervently praying at the Wall. We saw
at least 3 Bar Mitzvahs in progress (Thursday is one of the days this is
allowed) with the women leaning over the divider between men and women while
the celebration progressed. Each ended with the young man carrying the scroll
of the Torah back to an area set for this at the side. Perhaps the most fitting
prayer is what Wayne suggested; “peace in Jerusalem”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We backtracked to the Via Dolorosa to catch
an early lunch of pita with the usual offerings. Most of the group was happy
with this, but some are starting to yearn for more typical Canadian fare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5_f3WZbGot-rZLGpjW7kiK6l8ScnS6tVYJhGceAwb8pgGmMgOyrwJ-Ubl-1nmFtlO3094b47S0SBzVc3ReztUKyQ72biKRpXPWr_jLWR7BlyhHX0YGHWRJtits0phIza6UDMXQ8Bbx4V/s1600/PA290591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5_f3WZbGot-rZLGpjW7kiK6l8ScnS6tVYJhGceAwb8pgGmMgOyrwJ-Ubl-1nmFtlO3094b47S0SBzVc3ReztUKyQ72biKRpXPWr_jLWR7BlyhHX0YGHWRJtits0phIza6UDMXQ8Bbx4V/s320/PA290591.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Then back on the Via Dolorosa to the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher. This site has been the centre of an un-holy tug-of-war for
centuries between various branches of the “church universal”. That is worthy of
a chapter to itself, but suffice it to say that cooperation between the various
groups who have staked a claim to parts of this site is less than ideal. In
addition, today we had the opportunity of sharing this site with the occupants
of at least two cruise ships, so its usual chaos was even greater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb45UvI5Xw9S3U9wPBLrBK_0om1Qcm_WWscewQYWM678o8eVYmt3dRwhdvlYFfVzn7cf9Ru0W1vSmAoPEIcpT6CMaQkMgbO6ZahQfNzGb_EUmpoJwvv7ywLeIahRAnSK5lQFfytP7II_u/s1600/PA290606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb45UvI5Xw9S3U9wPBLrBK_0om1Qcm_WWscewQYWM678o8eVYmt3dRwhdvlYFfVzn7cf9Ru0W1vSmAoPEIcpT6CMaQkMgbO6ZahQfNzGb_EUmpoJwvv7ywLeIahRAnSK5lQFfytP7II_u/s320/PA290606.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">On first entering, we were presented with a
slab of stone on the ground which tradition holds was the site of preparation
of Jesus’ body. On our immediate right was a massive lineup to ascend about two
stories to the top of Golgotha (we passed on the line). Circling the church
counterclockwise, we passed a flight of stairs that lead down to an Armenian
sanctuary with thousands of crosses scratched in the walls, a leftover from the
crusaders, and apparently the origin of the Jerusalem Cross. After circling ¾
of the way around the church, we came to the main dome; the site of the Tomb
itself. Again, there was a lineup that would have required at least an hour to
get a closer glimpse of the inside. The whole area was enclosed in a “cube” at
least 30 feet high. Everything was dimly lit, crowded with uneven floors and
far from peaceful. We were thankful that Ahuva had taken us to the Garden Tomb
yesterday for a much more spiritual experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A final walk through the narrow streets
showed us some Roman ruins as well as remains of the city wall from the time of
the First Temple (i.e. Solomon). And then we trekked through more narrow streets
to exit the city by the East through the Jaffa Gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What to make of this day, one of the key
days of our journey? The Old City is certainly unlike any city I have every
visited. The corridor-<o:p></o:p></span>streets, hundreds
of little shops selling their wares and polished cobblestones are unique. The
experience of the Temple Mount will leave me disturbed with its mixed message
of faith, distrust and anger. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher has just left me
cold. Or maybe it really has underlined the message for me that “He is not
there”. Having seen it myself, I know that it will continue to work on me. I am
glad that I came, and thankful for today.</div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-70250359648249886272015-10-28T08:34:00.000-07:002015-10-28T08:34:07.264-07:00Garden Tomb to Holocaust<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOfeR1FoVrXknKOzcFapEIB_35B2MQ2muG0ZI1ay5fOxunZiYkBQO6jXp1m40Gb9pqneqeGL87EtNuQKFfKZe_t9dAZGHCpAE5Pr1DZ4MGcHrU6We-S36Jk0gzz0GcHPHUdfFhxZ14-E8/s1600/PA280389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOfeR1FoVrXknKOzcFapEIB_35B2MQ2muG0ZI1ay5fOxunZiYkBQO6jXp1m40Gb9pqneqeGL87EtNuQKFfKZe_t9dAZGHCpAE5Pr1DZ4MGcHrU6We-S36Jk0gzz0GcHPHUdfFhxZ14-E8/s320/PA280389.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">It is cooler now in Jerusalem – high teens
for temperature, along with the ongoing question of whether or not we will see
rain. We were lucky yesterday, and as it turned out, in spite of building clouds
through the afternoon, we were lucky today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLn3PQstNrKuRKolFCh0CCWj9yG7HZpQdJQeSjUjUioKI0JIQvNpfHfwz6y3tcDe06YBK4sSVpALaxY-oDmQpqe_6iNcIzMh_hg4ji_YmcX0M9g4r8UiNxthtFlgNTeh_nHi0mR18vwoD/s1600/PA280393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLn3PQstNrKuRKolFCh0CCWj9yG7HZpQdJQeSjUjUioKI0JIQvNpfHfwz6y3tcDe06YBK4sSVpALaxY-oDmQpqe_6iNcIzMh_hg4ji_YmcX0M9g4r8UiNxthtFlgNTeh_nHi0mR18vwoD/s320/PA280393.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">We started with a ten minute walk to the
Garden Tomb, an alternative site for Golgotha and possibly the tomb. Whatever
the arguments, it was an oasis in the city to review the course of the
crucifixion, burial and discovery of the empty tomb. We were lead through this
by a volunteer from Belgium, who helped us focus on the importance of the facts
that Jesus was crucified by the Romans, buried in a nearby tomb like the one in
the photo, and then rose. The visit culminated in a modest celebration of
communion, lead by Wayne. It touched deep feelings that struggle for words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlszYBUiwiGhqzKoz832GrzDVTCY43rDYS77TYz4d568mh_jnrSpRNJmHqXBpJRlp9IT_rcYhrnjx8j1jEEOE0dt1y2sYfkN4BESRp985ZSxa-82sKqNMkXyIsVsmvy9jT7QLzjlkf0rdq/s1600/PA280408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlszYBUiwiGhqzKoz832GrzDVTCY43rDYS77TYz4d568mh_jnrSpRNJmHqXBpJRlp9IT_rcYhrnjx8j1jEEOE0dt1y2sYfkN4BESRp985ZSxa-82sKqNMkXyIsVsmvy9jT7QLzjlkf0rdq/s320/PA280408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;">From this celebration of the triumph of love, we went to the Holocaust museum: Yad Vashem. We prepared to join with people everywhere in lamentation for not only those who died, but for the death of our own naïve belief in simple unguarded goodness. It was a remarkable piece of architecture (we understand it is by a Canadian) where although you can see a passage straight through, the path takes you from one side to the other. We viewed the progression of the Nazi program of removing rights from Jews in 1933, progressing to overt persecution and then to the “final solution”. On the way, we heard stories and viewed memorabilia of many of those who died, as well as survivors. It is truly disturbing to think of how easily complacency allowed such hate to flourish. It is clear that however troubling such memorials are to visit, the memory must be carried forward. There are times where it is difficult to deny the reality of evil. My own mind cannot suppress thoughts of our own First Nations and I wonder if I have been complacent…</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our lunch was a welcome respite from a
heavy emotional morning. We welcomed “bagels” with hummus, cucumbers, haroseth
(remember from sader meals?) and such. I put bagel in quotes because we each
started with a quarter, given that each whole was a tight loop about a foot
long! They were lighter than we are used to, but still warm, and very yummy.
Ok, I went for seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfzdD9c-brQt1Iwli6PvDoCefsOK-eznoWJHSzWKkP0DN7CH5PWHl7TDOnq9tj-TPEKPIf2MUwsZL7SmfipwvYpe2HyOS9wxNb1kEU8bgkO5HSXziTp-zz3OpgHpwUM6_oNkxjxzvg-_4/s1600/PA280420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfzdD9c-brQt1Iwli6PvDoCefsOK-eznoWJHSzWKkP0DN7CH5PWHl7TDOnq9tj-TPEKPIf2MUwsZL7SmfipwvYpe2HyOS9wxNb1kEU8bgkO5HSXziTp-zz3OpgHpwUM6_oNkxjxzvg-_4/s320/PA280420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerusalem from the south at the time of Jesus</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our final stop was the Israel Museum,
including a huge model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus (the Second Temple)
and the Museum of the Book, dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was a chance
to marvel at the continuity of the Bible (and other writings) over 2000
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It has been another special day, one that
has touched us deeply in our hearts. It seems that today, we have connected
with the core of why we came with this group rather than just to “see the
sights”. It has also been a day which has reminded me that however much I want
to focus on the message of love and hope which Jesus brought, we each carry a
very dark seed which can grow if we allow it room. It has been a day of hope –
but not without caution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-83505247841936258512015-10-27T12:24:00.002-07:002015-10-27T12:24:29.136-07:00An introduction to Jerusalem and Bethlehem<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiKvUb4XAYOEyZvhCMOWJWE-w5_Y_MBVjjNWj4aXRAi6WLdjHdzyVVA5ytoF88z21pKhJf6dNOZTiKTG0IkPv4HaTIY5dpiIugb52V8naf-7f8HhI_VIzEDAj8H8q2MJPjgryBWP2TPHx/s1600/PA270238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiKvUb4XAYOEyZvhCMOWJWE-w5_Y_MBVjjNWj4aXRAi6WLdjHdzyVVA5ytoF88z21pKhJf6dNOZTiKTG0IkPv4HaTIY5dpiIugb52V8naf-7f8HhI_VIzEDAj8H8q2MJPjgryBWP2TPHx/s320/PA270238.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The morning began bright and clear,
although we had heard of storms on the coast causing electrical outages. After
watching a single intersection blocked repeatedly by drivers entering without
being able to exit when the light changed, I will no longer refer to Calgary
drivers as the worst. We were going a short drive to the upper part of the
Mount of Olives in order to walk down after an orientation to the eastern city
wall, most recently built by the Ottomans (so only 500 years old). It was an
amazing view of the Temple of the Rock in the morning light.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0wgZXoywGDUwf5f52aUXcAb9KRIM4BcEFJyzVGMk30EKaNkfQqZBo5YpK8n555zo4kA8zedMgf5bvNPxZkxxRbeeVMGZSKmGgO5f0i86CR3rlcIuBmAfKC9smbhffiEYLVXFzxFW8kRQ/s1600/PA270276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0wgZXoywGDUwf5f52aUXcAb9KRIM4BcEFJyzVGMk30EKaNkfQqZBo5YpK8n555zo4kA8zedMgf5bvNPxZkxxRbeeVMGZSKmGgO5f0i86CR3rlcIuBmAfKC9smbhffiEYLVXFzxFW8kRQ/s320/PA270276.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">We moved down (and the contours of the hills are impossible to see on a map) to the church of Dominus Flevit, dedicated to Jesus’ tears as he wept for Jerusalem before his own death. Then further down to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony near the bottom of the hill, where it is believed that Judas kissed Jesus to turn him in to the Romans. The churches were beautiful, but it is not a place to look for peace. I can’t imagine what this must be like on Easter week.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We took the bus about two kilometers across the valley, by the old City of David (below the Temple Mount), and up to the church of St Peter in Gallicantu, believed to be the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the site of Peter’s denial (so a reference to the cock). Again, the views are remarkable, and steps are everywhere going up and down the hillside, focused on the water supply.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx8opLqD03y5Sisr9kAju_eX2sStrmyqF-RES8KVYqLaBh7ZcUCBCuRDgbMNieYjwPwdjZhxsy_QPyi5R_bitkqNyq5RrVRFLECmKnJp7bzAthX6YxqOBHUTi5BBLLCsly7CUHpxR_ex8/s1600/PA270304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx8opLqD03y5Sisr9kAju_eX2sStrmyqF-RES8KVYqLaBh7ZcUCBCuRDgbMNieYjwPwdjZhxsy_QPyi5R_bitkqNyq5RrVRFLECmKnJp7bzAthX6YxqOBHUTi5BBLLCsly7CUHpxR_ex8/s320/PA270304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz1i7AisHZD3fiM_5N5KG5cP2LFTZwQiNs7AR4tN610WtNCsdlUgUBEhDbH5tPXcst0EDj4DXjS6tvRwdS0JKkS-DczkIgVi0o2e7_dsAVah1QvjQnMQkUEswSPaHIUcjSyyRxEWdfcpF/s1600/PA270317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz1i7AisHZD3fiM_5N5KG5cP2LFTZwQiNs7AR4tN610WtNCsdlUgUBEhDbH5tPXcst0EDj4DXjS6tvRwdS0JKkS-DczkIgVi0o2e7_dsAVah1QvjQnMQkUEswSPaHIUcjSyyRxEWdfcpF/s320/PA270317.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IdA6qFQOyHi_0hx_feKhTjJ2dacVx8l1vvgkH1Ap-mwWmTeDmm7kE049MNm_Ds0m_tNwoLUBYvVy6Em0fKvdf5qSSvD71bB7VQHrurT0kM3cU6pTaTM4TOXXhNt1ED5INVTLvqtRnGtH/s1600/PA270344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IdA6qFQOyHi_0hx_feKhTjJ2dacVx8l1vvgkH1Ap-mwWmTeDmm7kE049MNm_Ds0m_tNwoLUBYvVy6Em0fKvdf5qSSvD71bB7VQHrurT0kM3cU6pTaTM4TOXXhNt1ED5INVTLvqtRnGtH/s320/PA270344.jpg" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Then we headed to Bethlehem. Again, the
traffic was challenging, but it looks like that is just going to be the way of
things here, as it was again on the way back. We were introduced to the wall
between the Palestinian and Israeli sides… and ate just inside the division. It
is hard to imaging how this cannot breed more anger and in a few, more `hate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And then to the traditional site of Jesus’
birth, in a cave under the Orthodox Church of the Nativity, and the next door
St Catherine’s church (which is the site of midnight mass on Christmas Eve –
televised around the western world). A star marks the site of the birth, and a
stone manger a couple of meters away is surrounded by drapes and a marble floor
(thanks to the crusaders). I found it hard to peel away the accretion of two
millennia of well-intentioned embellishment to get to any spiritual depth here.
Perhaps my problem…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Then of course, there is the opportunity to
see and buy products from Bethlehem, especially olive wood carvings. We were
well taken care of in the shop, and then escorted up umpteen stairs through the
market to get to a Lutheran centre which sponsors arts and leadership training
for both Christians and Muslims, mostly from the area. Unfortunately, we heard
again of how the intolerant few make life so troublesome for the many who would
love to live in peace and community together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Altogether, and excellent day… and we are
practicing patience with the traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-68596277102422451642015-10-26T12:33:00.000-07:002015-10-26T12:33:07.753-07:00Conflicts ancient and modern<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We started today with a farewell to Jordan
and our guide George. He left us wanting more of his gentle and gracious
manner, not to mention his knowledge of so many things. He and Samir our bus
driver left us at the crossing to Israel. There is considerable space on either
side where there are remains of defensive positions in the midst of hillocks
and vegetable fields. Two and a half hours to get through the process… and I am
left with the impression that this may be a good day here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masada from a distance</td></tr>
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</o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top of Masada - looking down on Roman camp</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">We were met by our new shepherdess, Ahuva.
The first stop for this little flock; Masada. This was a mountaintop fortress
constructed by a paranoid megalomaniac by the name of Herod (the Great). Again,
we see the most remarkable engineering for the management of water. It was
constructed with a palace for Herod, but is best known as the final stand for
the Jewish Zealot rebellion from Rome in 73/74 CE. Here, almost a thousand men,
women and children chose to die by their own hand rather than succumb to
slavery and degradation. It has become a rally cry for Zionists. I don’t know
if I could make that choice… but perhaps I do not know anything other than what it is to be free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Then we went on to Qumran, the isolated
colony looking on to the Dead Sea who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was a very
conservative group who finally joined the last stand on Masada. Minus the
tourists, it would indeed be far from the madding crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cave of the Dead Sea Scrolls</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our last stop of the day was to be the
oldest continuously inhabited city on earth, Jericho. The current conflicts
between the over-keen on both sides have lead to the strong advice to not go
into Jericho today; advice which although we were sad to receive, we were happy
to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAViF0Z4O71T4APepOVMYcoqTi3PsK1y1hJnvcKBNFfbog5YHdY7P8x5EZoekxYnH-_kY6xAtX1AfwDWxQP_TrhHpp6SShO01c-yRk8TQecer7OzJbjuNPsRPxq4CXj57iJtuKMqxQ0Wc/s1600/PA260192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAViF0Z4O71T4APepOVMYcoqTi3PsK1y1hJnvcKBNFfbog5YHdY7P8x5EZoekxYnH-_kY6xAtX1AfwDWxQP_TrhHpp6SShO01c-yRk8TQecer7OzJbjuNPsRPxq4CXj57iJtuKMqxQ0Wc/s320/PA260192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East across the Dead Sea from Masada</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And finally, we have pulled into Jerusalem
at sunset, after climbing what seemed a greater rise than from Saskatchewan
Crossing to the Icefields. Not much wonder that the road from Jerusalem to
Jericho (or visa versa – through some pretty rough country I might add) had a
bit of a reputation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-21073718830360494292015-10-26T08:56:00.002-07:002015-10-26T08:56:57.552-07:00A day by the Dead Sea<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today started with a haze across the Dead
Sea. It is hard to refer to it as a sea, given its size, but the salinity
certainly gives it status.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFrUamtZtujL3cIzAzArGEN2GqPnGgjiLUkobkfCMt2xX1fjRdNy4gnwcIWAqN8zC8XvHoi7jFGTD7mHanBd6367HxJf5-q-e4-0_N_qL0exZH7dTzpawxCwC9Xz_TVf3bV9zWKON3_Fd/s1600/IMG_4638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFrUamtZtujL3cIzAzArGEN2GqPnGgjiLUkobkfCMt2xX1fjRdNy4gnwcIWAqN8zC8XvHoi7jFGTD7mHanBd6367HxJf5-q-e4-0_N_qL0exZH7dTzpawxCwC9Xz_TVf3bV9zWKON3_Fd/s320/IMG_4638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">First stop was a surprise for its pastoral
quality. The traditional site for John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism was
wonderfully quiet for us on this day. Across the River Jordan (a literal stone’s
throw), we could see others immersing in a developed site on the Israeli side,
but we were given a gift of quiet on the Jordan side. Honestly, this does seem
to be a peaceable kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqQfWyeRI8vsnMaH27rcAuZgsVDMdco5AaNwrn1P4RESitSspffAkSaXWAMbm2KSrvFMI4k1nNjzB2SyrpsahPuGk_fv36d9vojT1l56LnbvhpSKPtNMLvGHaiIlfCCx8XLay29aw3DEo/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqQfWyeRI8vsnMaH27rcAuZgsVDMdco5AaNwrn1P4RESitSspffAkSaXWAMbm2KSrvFMI4k1nNjzB2SyrpsahPuGk_fv36d9vojT1l56LnbvhpSKPtNMLvGHaiIlfCCx8XLay29aw3DEo/s320/IMG_4644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Next stop was Mt Nebo, Moses’ last stop
before the Israelites went on to the promised land. His grave has never been
found. We ascended from -420m to +800m. It was a desolate spot with amazing
vistas, and of course a Franciscan monastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saw some more mosaics, a prelude to the next stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulsv185DfZr0VYsDUQcwDXjQYCHB-DB3yQgiMTu6KZ_m_Vwov1sVbFGRacue3KlTATIrRRTEMv-DFUoFXhBHEe34r3hcuzCe1zWNG3T_bYT0GJzb9BSjlfXrcBbialXBOg8ZIWD8B8jrn/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulsv185DfZr0VYsDUQcwDXjQYCHB-DB3yQgiMTu6KZ_m_Vwov1sVbFGRacue3KlTATIrRRTEMv-DFUoFXhBHEe34r3hcuzCe1zWNG3T_bYT0GJzb9BSjlfXrcBbialXBOg8ZIWD8B8jrn/s320/IMG_4687.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">It was a dark and stormy… afternoon. Madaba
is a town famous for a map mosaic on the floor of St. George’s church,
discovered in 1884, but probably from the 6<sup>th</sup> century. It is thought
to be part of a larger map of the middle east, possibly as a guide to pilgrims.
We also saw some modern-day mosaics taking form.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The day capped off with a “swim” in the
Dead Sea… more of a float. This was followed by the ritual covering with mud,
and it really is black. I am sure that our skin will be forever better… and
just in case it doesn’t last forever, we have Dead Sea skin products to help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfsWK2KbLHJeB2dyqNU3kVu1NjBP7q14SUH91oRdiRPrbWQ5wyYS7r0Zic2yB4sxXAlnO-1xSgYK6gIFf81QSTVrV5ejIWhel3WXFdHBlY0p7NHqxo7PR-WZmiS2H-HmjTjMCNZPQj0TS/s1600/IMG_4719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfsWK2KbLHJeB2dyqNU3kVu1NjBP7q14SUH91oRdiRPrbWQ5wyYS7r0Zic2yB4sxXAlnO-1xSgYK6gIFf81QSTVrV5ejIWhel3WXFdHBlY0p7NHqxo7PR-WZmiS2H-HmjTjMCNZPQj0TS/s320/IMG_4719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Minority report:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A small group stayed behind for the day… I
thought Montezuma was Mexican.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-29725337270448258102015-10-24T06:45:00.000-07:002015-10-24T06:45:58.749-07:00From Amman; the unfinished story of Sultana and Khalid<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQO-A82gqNcHJBlgz_s9olXCGILqwPaeSX-kKpYdNEnvO9tnikqcZMLpKh69Mi6z3TiMzhWbkZwOYdopCnYjA9N0pfnF4TnehwrYFLGS40XQgL8H5_KrPamnVyU-cP-GmYfN7Z1zMXwFn/s1600/PA210395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQO-A82gqNcHJBlgz_s9olXCGILqwPaeSX-kKpYdNEnvO9tnikqcZMLpKh69Mi6z3TiMzhWbkZwOYdopCnYjA9N0pfnF4TnehwrYFLGS40XQgL8H5_KrPamnVyU-cP-GmYfN7Z1zMXwFn/s320/PA210395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khalid, Ruth, Betty and George</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Months before our tour left Canada for the Holy Land, Ruth Cross and Sultana Yalda, St. David's Iraqi Christian refugee Mom, talked about how special it would be if Ruth could visit with Sultana's husband, Khalid, while we were in Amman, Jordan. We of course hoped that he would be in Calgary before now, but sadly, that has not yet happened. He is so anxious to be reunited with his wife and children, whom he has not seen for 18 years.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Khalid and his relative, George, arrived at the hotel on </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT70_com_zimbra_date" style="background-color: white; color: darkblue; cursor: pointer;"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT71_com_zimbra_date" style="cursor: pointer;">October 21st</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">after dinner, and a number of the St. David's folks from the tour showed up to say hello and to say how happy they were to meet Khalid. Ruth received hugs from both Khalid and George. We found a quiet spot to sit - there were about 8 of us - and we had a wonderful chat. Khalid apologized for his English, but we told him several times that his English is good. He didn't seem to believe us, but it really IS good! Both Khalid and George were thrilled to know that "all these people" know Sultana and the kids!</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">After others left, Ruth (feeling positively energized by the visit!), Khalid and George continued our visit until 11 PM. We had a wonderful visit, and now St. David's can put a face and character to the man who is Sultana's husband.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br /><br /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Khalid is a delightful gentle man who smiled and laughed a lot. George often said what a good man Khalid is, and that Canada should accept him NOW! Ruth encouraged Khalid that having his medical is a good sign that Immigration Canada is moving ahead, if slowly.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">We learned about Khalid's search for Sultana, Mary and Ben, staring around 2003 after he was freed from Iraqi prison. He even went to Turkey when he heard that someone had seen them there, but they had never gone to Turkey. They were already in Calgary. It wasn't until 2010 or 2011 that he finally connected with them from Amman via internet and phone. Khalid shares an apartment in Amman and works there as a machinist (the closest we could get in translation!).</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Khalid asked about Sultana, Mary and Ben, and Ruth was especially happy to share how wonderful the kids are, and of what a happy, boisterous place the house is when Sultana's sister, Nadia and her kids are there. We also talked about music, and Ruth learned of Khalid's and George's musical skills. Maybe St. David's will be able to use a drummer when Khalid arrives!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">We parted with hugs and "See you in Calgary" wishes. We sincerely hope that our visit will sustain Khalid until he is reunited with his family in Canada.</span></span>Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-2736670962451313732015-10-24T05:08:00.000-07:002015-10-24T05:08:10.678-07:00Into the Land of Laurence<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9javJFR659NehYKLdzTDOk4fIVTJLFj7EHtflkxfWT86J-xqtJxhomT55Itw6YatrfxuPB1rOZ0nZoQCYDb009Re8v8hFdPXJlkkQftQWNgPplMujVTwRud9gIyepVUcRiFyGljMFGPc_/s1600/PA230027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9javJFR659NehYKLdzTDOk4fIVTJLFj7EHtflkxfWT86J-xqtJxhomT55Itw6YatrfxuPB1rOZ0nZoQCYDb009Re8v8hFdPXJlkkQftQWNgPplMujVTwRud9gIyepVUcRiFyGljMFGPc_/s320/PA230027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We left Petra in good time this morning for
the two hour drive to Wadi Rum – Wadi meaning valley and Rum unfortunately
seems to have nothing to do with Caribbean sugar cane. The trip was through the
high desert east of the riff valley between the Asian and African tectonic
plates. We saw a few sheep and goats, and eventually as we neared our
destination, camels. And yes, there are the “camel crossing” signs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDd0okmV7ZRcLydKZ6uc-XKeM0JpXMERiNxcAJ4lYDDvSMRogCNCa5sKf1DKwFM8rP1ZzfFdnr2VQLREEcsyEA-HbeJ2ONSId3SJP0UrZmqBcCuubmItD3UhBB9ziLLwhpBAcrwUlgu5A/s1600/PA240042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDd0okmV7ZRcLydKZ6uc-XKeM0JpXMERiNxcAJ4lYDDvSMRogCNCa5sKf1DKwFM8rP1ZzfFdnr2VQLREEcsyEA-HbeJ2ONSId3SJP0UrZmqBcCuubmItD3UhBB9ziLLwhpBAcrwUlgu5A/s320/PA240042.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Wadi Rum is a World Heritage Protected site,
and the home for a time of Laurence of Arabia. The mountains are soft
sandstone, not unlike around Petra, but filled between by the fine sand that
you might dream of for a beach. The mountains tower over a thousand feet,
shaped by erosion to fantastic forms. There is an “other worldly” sense to the
place. I was expecting to hear the sound track from the movie slowly swell from
behind one of the mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4MmHH6Yxbv88BanBFzWkJ3uG4d87pgfzLA2tz8pkj-XpgKF2qmlYjBrcBAhuxDlt5b0IsP8BvlIgpRAgUzgqG8Yg8HLGkkVyol8fOb7-vNd0E5XScFU4D58kXYoGF6YZX45YFLXnt_6X/s1600/PA240088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4MmHH6Yxbv88BanBFzWkJ3uG4d87pgfzLA2tz8pkj-XpgKF2qmlYjBrcBAhuxDlt5b0IsP8BvlIgpRAgUzgqG8Yg8HLGkkVyol8fOb7-vNd0E5XScFU4D58kXYoGF6YZX45YFLXnt_6X/s320/PA240088.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">While on our jeep tour, we had the
opportunity to ride a camel, and many of the troupe did just that. One of the
tricks is to really hang on when the camel gets up, and goes down… you wouldn’t
want to kiss the sand!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Of course there was the inevitable
opportunity to purchase goods (how many scarves does one really need?). But the
prices were good here… in the middle of nowhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A wonderful meal of chicken, rice, salads
and fruit finished off our morning. It was certainly worth the visit… but no
one was really keen about the 5 hour commute to the Dead Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sobering thought for the day: we are half
way through our journey…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-9945744785996128572015-10-23T20:38:00.001-07:002015-10-23T20:38:45.537-07:00Petra - truly a wonder of the world!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today we did Petra, although my body feels
more like Petra did me! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We were up early for some glimpses of the
sun coming to light up the folded landscape below our hotel, and then off to
the site. We were given the low-down on various forms of transportation and the
going rates, be it for horse, horse-drawn carriage (buggy, chariot???), donkey
or camel. That should have been a bit of an indicator of just how big a site
this is. There were up to 30,000 Nabateans living in the city at one point. It
was a centre of the trading routes and due to the forces of nature, essentially
impossible to assault (so the Romans had to move the trade routes to bring them
to their knees).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The soft sandstone of the region has been
shaped by earthquakes, water, wind and people to make it a unique place. In
places the layers of colour went from tan to rust to purple to black. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started seeing various caves and forms
carved from the rock thousands of years ago as we approached the entrance to
the suq (pronounced “seek” – don’t these guys know there should be an u after
the q…). This is the entrance channel over a kilometer long created originally
by an earthquake, but then honed by erosion. The layering of the sandstone is
wonderful to behold, and we soon were simply at loss for words… after a while,
“wow” doesn’t seem to cut it any more. At its height, the walls reach almost
100m as we continued to slowly descend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Finally, our “Indiana Jones moment” when we
came around another twist, and behold, a façade over 45m high of the
“Treasury”. Much of what we would see in the next couple of hours was various
mausoleums or monuments for the dead leaders of the city. These were carved
from the sandstone cliffs with room for a few bodies of the important folk that
they were built for. On the top of each of them was a pair of stairs
symbolizing their ascent to heaven (apparently “Stairway to Heaven” is older
than I thought).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Of course with each further step, we had
the opportunity to buy things, right up to the top of a viewpoint at the
further end of the complex – over 900 stairs above the starting point for that
bit. A Bedouin clan previously occupied this site, and the payment for moving was
a new town close by, and exclusive rights to provide services and wares within
Petra. The small children selling cards were a constant presence, and the
teenage and young men selling donkey and camel rides were… young men who seemed
particularly persistent with young women. But the adult merchants were
impressively courteous and pleasant, no doubt a gift from their culture which
values hospitality in an inhospitable climate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We understand that the tourist<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trade has been in terrible decline since the “Arab
Spring”, so rather than try further to express my amazement, I would say you
need to see this to believe it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-86224299066801225602015-10-22T11:23:00.002-07:002015-10-22T11:23:28.958-07:00Amman to Petra<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today we began with an au revoir to
probably the classiest hotel of our journey, the Amman International. We had
wondered about a number of men in the lobby who seemed to be very intent about
something, and often on their cell phones. We had also had a couple of minor
issues that seemed like the hotel was not quite ready for us. This morning we
found out that the president of Tunisia was staying… so apparently everything
is not about us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We set off to see one of the largest
mosques in Jordan, dedicated to the first king. The tiling was being
re-furbished on the domes (more than your average re-grout job). The welcome
was most sincere, and a number of things reminded me of how often we Christians
have not lived up to our own call to peace. The ladies had to gown in order to
come into the mosque (the “nuns of St David’s”?), and we were reminded that
women pray in a separate area. I don’t think I would want to be a Muslim woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeR4f6AC-uL0xji3U9CnZs6XqqiDc6-mOsSI-DeMytdV4DvvspUPtd640y_iJPrDYETWhu8C-s0RrFJFBrdoMHw5RguS_Qk1RIOAELHNcwzKhQthbH6woBeYNUhHhi439Ef_knCU7zhKQ/s1600/PA210405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeR4f6AC-uL0xji3U9CnZs6XqqiDc6-mOsSI-DeMytdV4DvvspUPtd640y_iJPrDYETWhu8C-s0RrFJFBrdoMHw5RguS_Qk1RIOAELHNcwzKhQthbH6woBeYNUhHhi439Ef_knCU7zhKQ/s320/PA210405.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">A trip to the Amman citadel showed another
set of ruins that started before the Romans were a twinkle in the eyes of the
Greeks, on down to the Turkish Sultans. A photo shows the remains of a statue
of Hercules for his temple… three fingers and a knuckle that stands about a
foot high. They did believe in “going big”! Again the citadel was on the top of
a hill – very defendable, so some of the best engineering was to collect and
conserve water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydX-sVpYhE2Di4ZsU7BglKP_EquBX5rDWJWdGW9ws4CRo0Y_IcvwuIr_4vbwAPIQDApdYSyd2I8FqlJJumwAXzOAx20GQNgkb4k6-cx2SLkNodInM23-JWzRJVJqR0rXgMOZJznTOfQSe/s1600/PA220442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydX-sVpYhE2Di4ZsU7BglKP_EquBX5rDWJWdGW9ws4CRo0Y_IcvwuIr_4vbwAPIQDApdYSyd2I8FqlJJumwAXzOAx20GQNgkb4k6-cx2SLkNodInM23-JWzRJVJqR0rXgMOZJznTOfQSe/s320/PA220442.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">We visited another Greek/Roman theatre for
us and 3000 of our closest friends. Then we were off to tour the central market
district, which frustrated some of our shoppers, as it is hard to barter from a
passing bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
long trip south through the desert (which makes the land east of Brooks look
positively green) took us to Petra. Thankfully the trip was interrupted with a
great traditional Bedouin meal. Which reminds me that we have said little about
the food so far. We generally have found that the usual lunch time is a bit
late for us… 2-3 pm. It is usually a large meal, and then we get to eat again
at about 7pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not likely to lose weight
on this tour…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnZjWE6WhlIhUHqwsIrIyct0m_dv9vKIMDuB5NWtV442OdQCUG5izywsAMteeSqgGVmgx29g8ys4rbpxhb6bqkfVCyKeJAgUB7IZn88qpEna9RGlCjxE5zfQUiznegDn4azgAfA57-kAU/s1600/PA220479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnZjWE6WhlIhUHqwsIrIyct0m_dv9vKIMDuB5NWtV442OdQCUG5izywsAMteeSqgGVmgx29g8ys4rbpxhb6bqkfVCyKeJAgUB7IZn88qpEna9RGlCjxE5zfQUiznegDn4azgAfA57-kAU/s320/PA220479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The final approach to Petra brought us back
into hill country. The valley is named after a spring which tradition tells us
is thanks to a little help from Moses. It is country which one traveller
described as “Drumheller on steroids”. We are pretty pumped for tomorrow’s
offering!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-28325211285682391002015-10-21T08:39:00.000-07:002015-10-21T08:39:33.220-07:00Across the JordanUp early today to get to the border with Jordan. A classic "hurry up and wait". We are so blessed to not have to deal with such issues on a daily basis! From this line to the next line for stamps and checks... but I guess it is good work for someone.<br />
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We crossed the muddy waters of the Jordan (much of the volume is already extracted for use further south in the country by the time it is a few kilometres south of the Sea of Galilee). It winds through the valley that reminds many of us of the Okanagan - dry steep hills and a green valley bottom fed by irrigation. Water is such a focus of survival, economics and power in this part of the world! They have acres of covers to maximize the "winter" vegetable crop for sales to Europe. And then we turned east and started to climb.<br />
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The northeast of Jordan is covered with sharply contoured hills and valleys, again impressive by their stony nature, olive trees and buildings climbing up the hills. We went from over 400 meters below sea level to something like 1200m above sea level in the course of an hour or so.<br />
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Jerash was our destination; one of the major Roman centres in the area at the time of Jesus (one of the cities referred to as the Decapolis in the Bible). For all the sense of the rural, pastoral existence in Nazareth of 2000 years ago that we experienced yesterday, we were presented today with truly amazing ruins of a city of over 30,000. The major streets were lined by columns many stories high, and the temples of Zeus and Diana were huge, reminding me of gothic cathedrals in size. Today, I could get a glimpse of living in a city of the Roman empire. Then it went on to be christianized by Constantine and his followers until major earthquakes put an end to things in the eighth and ninth centuries. Earthquakes have had a big influence on things in this part of the world.<br />
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Tonight we sleep in Amman where the usual housing is limited to 4 stories, in part to protect from earthquakes. Like Calgary, in 1900, there were only about 2000 people living here and most everything is pretty new. Unlike Calgary, <br />
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there are ruins in the city going back over 3000 years, and now it has over 4 million inhabitants - many thanks to the waves of refugees from Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon.Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-20959658892399158592015-10-20T09:28:00.000-07:002015-10-21T07:26:11.878-07:00Today, we woke up to a new Prime Minister, and a lovely dawn across the Galilee.<br />
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Off to get in line to go up Mt Tabor (didn't see any corn), the traditional site of the Transfiguration. The local Arabs have the taxi monopoly up a road reminiscent of the old Sunshine road to get to a church on the top of the highest mountain in Lower Galilee. Once again there was the history of multiple churches up and down with the various conquests over the years, leaving us now with two; one for the Western churches, and one for the Orthodox. And we complain about others not getting along.<br />
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It was a day when we heard about how difficult it was to be a Christian living in Israel, with the multiple narratives of Israelis, Ultra-Orthodox Jews who have no patience with anyone other than their own, yet take advantage of the social service system, of the Palestinians, and this confusing number of ethnically Arab, religiously Christian people who just feel like they belong nowhere. It is not a simple place this "Holy" Land.<br />
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A visit to Nazareth Village was fascinating. It showed some of the things that life was like for people living in the area of Nazareth 2000 years ago, and linked many of the stories of Jesus and his metaphors with life with grapes, olives and bread. We also learned that many of the homes were actually caves in the limestone, perhaps with a front addition.<br />
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A final visit for the day was to the Church of the Annunciation (with a side trip to a church for Joseph... he really does get minor billing in this narrative - maybe that is my ego complaining). It is a modern church over a cave which is traditionally considered to be the home of Mary. Once again, it is a day of complex images, and my own confusion of reality and metaphor, of the "real world" and the deeper meaning of things. No simple answers today.<br />
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Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-29911339661377738782015-10-19T11:41:00.000-07:002015-10-19T11:41:43.863-07:00Galilee - where it all began...Today, we visited some of the places where Jesus really spent his time; Capernaum, the area of Tabgha including the vicinity of the loaves and the fishes, and the Beatitudes, and a visit to Caesarea Philippi. As it turns out, Caesarea Philippi was essentially an outpost of the Roman influence with a temple dedicated to Pan. And these days, it is on the lower slopes of Mt Hebron and the Golan Heights. We did see some real presence of the Israeli military in the area.<br />
Capernaum has been partially excavated and it seems that Peter's house was probably where Jesus lived for much of the three years of his ministry there. It was just a hop, skip and jump to the synagogue (you see a photo of the group taken in the synagogue which was built after Jesus' time and is now partially reconstructed). Whether or not this is the exact spot... we are within meters of were he lived and taught for those years; where he spoke and won over his followers.<br />
And then a fish lunch (complete with head) and a boat ride on the Sea (not really a sea is it ...) of Galilee. It is hard to put into words, but it does give a sense of reality to all of those lessons from Sunday school. Something inside seems to be stirred by physically being here. I guess that is what we hoped for in coming...<br />
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Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-67123795505127843952015-10-18T20:52:00.000-07:002015-10-19T08:38:22.642-07:00So, Sunday is kind of Monday in Israel. It is the first day of the week, and it is a work day. Between the travel, my head playing with time change and this sabbath dislocation, it can be confusing. Or maybe it is the heat. High 20's, and a fair bit of heat haze all day... certainly no risk of frost here for awhile!<br />
We started the day travelling to Caesarea, the port city that Herod the Great constructed complete with a theatre, a hippodrome (to race horses - not hippos) a palace on the sea and the port. Later a centre for the knights of the crusades. Pretty impressive, except that things kind of started to run down after Herod died... a useful reminder of where we put our "stores".<br />
Then on to Mt Carmel where we visited a Carmelite church, located on the mountain to remind us of Elijah and his opportunity to "one-up" the priests of Baal. It did end badly for the other priests... part of that not-so-peaceful aspect of the the Old Testament (400 were killed).<br />
And finally to Megiddo - some 20+ cities layered on top of each other, including a Canaanite city and one from the time of the kings of Israel. You will see our travellers heading down the 183 steps to the spring. Oh, and it is also the site (according to Revelations) of the final battle - Armageddon... looked pretty quite today.<br />
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Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-35270128002417468792015-10-17T06:04:00.001-07:002015-10-17T06:04:23.359-07:00Well, we all made it through the 4 hours to Toronto and 10 hours to Tel Aviv. The amount of sleep ranged from almost nothing to a few hours... now feeling a little less than sparkling on the sunny coast of the Mediterranean. We did get a short walk through the ancient port town of Jaffa and a bit of a drive through Tel Aviv today. It is quite odd for us to see the streets almost deserted on Saturday. Up early tomorrow to miss the traffic.<br />
A couple of shots: one from old Jaffa to the seafront of Tel Aviv and the other - check out the t-shirt - "Jews & Arabs Refuse to be Enemies"!<br />
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Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-15424236546034773352015-10-14T21:05:00.002-07:002015-10-14T21:05:53.679-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgOyNsbgnTyGwGMXNJNbn8ZjGb5MJbDR9iOLhKiYw_R4tBT7CBVdoLcVxNjmfA_AphejsUmTIJkn0Vm8LNlsKEqp7tClpdkWbMWpSuU97XoMQ17Br1PvHcwfX6fPX-HYRgk4TQjR0hCuX/s1600/Israel+trip+map-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgOyNsbgnTyGwGMXNJNbn8ZjGb5MJbDR9iOLhKiYw_R4tBT7CBVdoLcVxNjmfA_AphejsUmTIJkn0Vm8LNlsKEqp7tClpdkWbMWpSuU97XoMQ17Br1PvHcwfX6fPX-HYRgk4TQjR0hCuX/s320/Israel+trip+map-4.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
This is where we are going. The numbers represent the number of nights we are in each place. Next stop... Tel Aviv!Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379362916895076332.post-84876185866374172092015-10-14T08:34:00.002-07:002015-10-15T20:35:06.683-07:00Countdown<b>Hello from the St D's Israel travellers group!</b> Only two days until we are on our way, and I am thinking that there are many things that are not yet done...<br />
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We hope to keep our friends and family posted for the time we are away with blog posts and hopefully some photos to keep you abreast of our journey. Stay tuned...Israel travellers 2015http://www.blogger.com/profile/02660386358820509951noreply@blogger.com