Holy land Tour | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Holy land Tour | Previous Challenge Entry
By Grace Merkey
11/12/14
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February 23, we flew from DIA to Minneapolis and then on to Amsterdam.
Feb. 24, Our view from our hotel room in Tel Aviv, of the purple and turquoise Mediterranean Sea, was breathtaking.
Feb. 25, Our guide, Anis. has been a guide for 37 years and knew everything from memory, not only in his head, but in his heart. He asked us if this looked like a land flowing with milk and honey. ----Well, no, it looks like a pile of rocks. Anis said there is 28% tillable land. We drove by bus to Caesarea to view the Crusaders fortress and moat and the great aqueduct that carried water 8 ½ miles from Mt. Carmel to Caesarea, a truly remarkable feat. These ruins were discovered by a man flying over in a helicopter. Then we went on to Megiddo to view the ruins of the city and Solomon’s stables. Next we ascended Mt Carmel for a magnificent view of the sea and harbor. Next we see the Carmelite Monastery and Elijah’s cave.
Feb. 26 Today we had a boat ride in a boat like those in Jesus’ day on the Sea of Galilee. In Capernaum we saw the ruins of a second century synagogue. We continue on to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to have been there and partake of this miracle. We stopped by the Jordan River where 16 people were baptized.
Feb. 27 We visit Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine. Walking the winding streets of Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home, was a moving experience. Here we visited the church of the Annunciation, (one of two). We saw Jacob’s Well, 125 ft. deep and 71/2 feet wide. I wonder how long it took to dig this, out of solid rock. No need to worry about it caving in. Anis told us there is an ordinance that builders are supposed to use only native rock, (hard limestone). Some are using cement blocks with a slab of rock outside. He was very upset about this.
Feb. 28 We viewed the Church of the Pater Noster. The Lord’s Prayer is displayed on the outside wall in 62 languages. To be in the Garden of Gethsemane and see the same trees where Jesus agonized was a moving experience. . We visited the Church of the Nativity, a cave under the inn where Jesus was born. Anis said a grave had been discovered containing 30 babies. He thinks probably there were about 30 families in Bethlehem when Herod ordered the two year old babies killed.
March 1 . The Dead Sea is 48xll miles and looks beautiful, like any sea, but of course, nothing can live there. Sometimes birds die, just flying over. Masada is an unbelievable place. It was built by Herod, a brilliant egomaniac. This cruel man killed his wife and sons. He built the fortress in case he needed to flee there for protection. This fortress had huge cistern which held enough water for 10 years. Eleazar led a group of 1.000 Jewish men, women and children to Masada as a last stand against the Romans. Ultimately, a legion of 15.000 Romans attacked and was finally able to enter Masada where they discovered the bodies of the defenders laid out in rows. The men first killed their families and then themselves. To this day, young Israeli solders swear their oath of allegiance atop this fortress. Anis recited this oath for us.
March 2 We took a walking tour of the old city where we visited the Wailing Wall, St. Ann’s Church,( traditional birthplace of Mary), Pool of Bethesda, Dome of the Rock, (Christians believe it is the rock upon which Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac and Muslims believe it was Ishmael. This Rock is 15 yards long, 12 yards wide and 2 yards high.) Walking along the Via Dolorosa did make me feel sad, to think Jesus carried his cross, then had help, along this way. Anis said probably the shop keepers kept right on as usual as they did on this day. We took communion at the Garden Tomb which was very meaningful. It was easy for me to believe this was His tomb but not everyone does. In the evening, from 9-11, we saw a program of excellent folk dancers who mostly danced barefoot.
March 3 We did a little shopping. .
March 4 We headed home.

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