Well, our adventure is over and we have headed back to Canada. We’ve learned so much along the way.
We travelled home on Shabbat (the Jewish Day of rest); so things were very quiet heading out. Of course, a slow day in the shops and on the street means the devout have headed to the Western Wall to pray. Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
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I’m sure that when you think of Bethlehem you think of the Christmas Story—Baby Jesus in a manager, happy shepherds, and cute little donkeys. Yes, Bethlehem does celebrate all of that, but as it is in the West Bank it is right in the centre of the Palestine/Israel conflict.
The street artist Banksy has stencilled several famous political works on the walls of Bethlehem. One of those masterpieces shows a dove wearing an armoured vest. The Dove is the symbol of peace—an armoured vest is NOT! Many people believe his message is that “Peace cannot be made when the people involved do not want it”. What do you think? Peace in our time? You are Always in My Prayers. Love Mom. Our hotel rests just outside the Damascus Gate of old Jerusalem. Inside the city walls the area is divided into Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian Quarters. Many who live inside practice their faith devoutly—many also dispute who should have claim over the area where the Dome of the Rock is Built. We aren’t allowed inside the shrine, but from the outside the dome is like pure sunshine—it is actually covered with gold.
When we walk the street here it is fascinating. For the people who live here it is complicated. Security is high. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. P.S. Someone in our group could enter the Dome as a Muslim and passed on this video—it is quite beautiful Dad took the snake trail and I took the cable car, but we both ended up atop the massive ruins of Masada. Herod the Great built two fortified palaces here around 37 BC.
However, these incredible ruins are probably more well known as the site of the first Jewish-Roman War. The Jewish defenders chose to die rather than surrender. So, even today Israeli soldiers demonstrate courage by chanting “Masada Shall not Fall Again”. Another swim in the Dead Sea this afternoon. We will definitely sleep well tonight. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. Our little group of thirteen along with our driver and guide—Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Orthodox Jew and sceptics. Somehow on a “Jesus” boat sailing on the Sea of Galilee we find common ground. Together with a group of Nigerian Christians we learn to dance the Hava Nagila (Let Us Rejoice)—an Israeli folk song traditionally sung at Jewish celebrations. Our attempt is mostly clumsy, but we embrace it. Back on the bus we stop where Jesus is said to have preached the sermon on the mount. The church is touristy and crowded, but on a path behind the church I find a quiet spot that catches my imagination: Blessed are the merciful...Blessed are the pure of heart...Blessed are the peacemakers... Tonight in Palestine we celebrate peace. You are Always in My Prayers. Love Mom. Akko—Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British....on and on it goes....layer upon layer of cities. We head below today’s functioning Ottoman/Israel layer to the excavated underground city of the crusaders. The knights templar tunnel takes us to the port from the castle. We can feel the mystery of the journey. Not even archeologist can agree on its purpose. Another fascinating day in Israel. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. Israel—this is where it all comes to life. We visit Jaffa and think of Jonah and the whale or the healing of Tabitha. We walk on a 10 km aqueduct in Caesarea built by King Herod. We group with pilgrims near the cave on Mount Caramel where Elijah hid away. The next seven days are going to be a real treat for all of our imaginations.
You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. Today we crossed the complicated border from Jordan to Israel. The city of Tel Aviv is very modern. Tons of interesting Street Art, entertaining markets, and beautiful beaches. Except that the signs are in Hebrew you might think you are in Toronto in the summer time.
Loving the sunshine. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. |
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Ray & Diane
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