More Jerusalem

Well, our last day of touring is done. Its almost 11, Valerie is sleeping and my wake up call is in about an hour. I'm packed95% and just need to throw in the last few things. The adventure is almost over.  Today we went to the Temple Mount,  City of David, Garden Tomb, Jewish quarter and Burnt House and did the Western wall tunnel tour. It's been a long day and a long two weeks. The flight leaves at 0520 but we need to be in Tel Aviv by 0120..then it's long hours of travel..hoping to sleep on the plane!!

Here are a few shots from today...

Yad Vashem, Jewish market, Ramparts walk and St Anne's/Bethesda pools

Today was our free day. The majority took the opportunity to go to the Holocaust museum. What a sobering morning..such detail and sadness. From there we went to the Jewish market to pick up some Halva for Mom.. then back to the old city. We had a small group that decided to do the Rampart's walk..climbing up and walking to top of the walls. It was a great day to do it..partly sunny, great views. It took about 45 minutes,  after coming down, we stopped for fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, something I'd been waiting all trip to try. It was so good!! Then we paid to get I to St Anne's and see the pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic. Very busy, exhausting day. We then headed to the Ki g of Kings church for their evening service. Lively worship, some in Hebrew!!!

Will now attach photos..only 1 more day of touring and then we start the trek home!!!

Bethlehem and the Old city of Jerusalem

Our itinerary has been changing and changing. We ended up going back to Bethlehem again yesterday. In the morning we were at Mt of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane but it was absolutely pouring!! So we went to the church of the nativity and the Shepherds fields. It took an hour or more to get into the grotto, some days it can take 3-6 hours. So ornate but very devoted Catholics. The shepherds field church was more my style, quiet and contemplative. We sang some Christmas songs in there, our group has great harmonies. Today's itinerary changed too as we went to the museum--Jerusalem model and Shrine of the book. St. Anne's was closed but we got to the praetorium and church of the holy sepulchre. Again a big zoo with people worshipping supposed places touched by Jesus rather than Jesus, as it seemed to me. Later we went to the Jerusalem prayer Center, no old history here but a place of quiet contemplation to focus on all we've seen and heard. This evening we heard from a Palestinian evangelical pastor which brought many of us to tears. It's been a wonderful day!!

Nazareth, Mt Carmel and the Mediterranean

Left the Sea of Galilee this morning..first stop Nazareth a replica of the old city..the more ruins and a lunch with the Druze.  Later to Mt Carmel, ending in a Kibbutz on the Mediterranean, I can hear the waves crashing on the shore of my beach front room. Tomorrow we're off to Jerusalem!!

Update

Sorry for no updates...wifi here is too poor...moving on tomorrow,  if I'm able will do so there.  Past 3 days in Northern Israel staying at a kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee...will and a couple of shots from my phone.

Qumran, Jordan, Jericho and Beit She'on

Unfortunately the uploaded pics on my iPad can't be used today..my iPad won't connect to the internet here in Nof Ginnosar. We are in a kibbutz/hotel for 3 nights by the Sea of Galilee. Today our itinerary changed a bit. We went Qumran and saw where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, and then to Jordan where many go to get baptized in the same place Jesus was. Bob and I went in knee deep. Then we were supposed to go to Mt Tabor but instead we drove through Palestine to see Jericho and then to Beit She'an for some more impressive ruins. I'll put more pics up another time, for now the mostly selfies off my phone will have to do.

Ein Gedi, Masada and the Dead Sea

Todays agenda changed a bit. There was a flash flood in Ein Gedi so we thought we couldn't go there...this is where Saul and David had some dealings in the Old Testament. Instead we started at the Ahave Factory where they make skin care products from the minerals of the Dead Sea. Then we went to an overlook at Ein Gedi and realized it was actually open....a Lao we went to an old site of a synagogue with a mosaic floor had a devotional and did some singing. From there, up to Masada. Up the mountain by a tram and lots of ruins from the time of Herod the great. So much history and such great views from up there. Our guide, Itai is so informative and well versed.  After lunch we headed back to the hotel and enjoyed some time floating in the Dead Sea.  Tomorrow it's north to Tiberias with a 2 night stay on the shores of Galilee in a Kibbutz . Here are today's photo highlights...

Into Israel, Tabernacle replica

This was mostly a border crossing day. After multiple security and passport checks and walking all our luggage over the border, we made it into Israel at Eilat. A quick lunch and then off  to the Timna Valley to see the Tabernacle Replica. A bit more driving, a beautiful sunset then arrive at the Dead Sea.  We are here for 2 nights..so nice not to have to pack everything up tomorrow morning!!