Hello from Jerusalem

Sorry, no pictures today. The computer I'm using doesn't have anywhere for me to plug my USB into, in fact it still has a floppy drive. I'll have to find an internet cafe I can use to try and upload some pics.

Yesterday we said goodbye the Sea of Galilee and made the trip to the Jerusalem. On our way south we stopped for a short visit to the crusader outpost of Belvoir Tower. It's pretty impressive, but it was also very cold and windy and my ear (Matthew) has been stopped up and sore so i didn't enjoy the excursion as much as I should have. I did however get some good pictures to share.

After that we made the trip through West Bankdown to Jerusalem, but we didn't stop there, our first stop was in Bethlehem for lunch. Shewermas and falafells were on the menu. Kaci was less than impressed. We then got up close and personal with the dividing wall. Next was a stop at the Church of the Nativity (**the church in Nazereth is the Basillica of the Annunciation**). We made our way in but our group wasn't quiet enough and we were asked to leave by the Greek Orthodox priests. We went back in after a short wait and toured the entire thing. It is a snesory overload. Yoiur sights, sounds, smells are all bombarded. we then visited some mroe ruins, Herodium, and then made our way to our hotel right across from the Damascuss Gate and the old city in Jerusalem.

Today we started early and visited Masada. Think of it as a Jewish Alamo. It's a very impressive structure built on huge rock formation right in the middle of the Jordan Valley. We then made a quick stop in Qumran where the Dead Sea Scroll were discoverd and then on to Jericho. We had a buffet lunch and toured some of the excavations there. Jericho is in the Palestinian controlled portion of the West Bank and so it doesn't benefit from the Israeli money and so the excavations aren't as nice or as thorough. We then had time at the Dead Sea. Kaci and I both took a float and had a good time, but it was very, very cold. (By the way, the water socks were a good tip Granddad, thank you.) We are now back at home at the Golden Walls Hotel in Jerusalem.

This part of the trip has been a bit different so far. We have had to take in to considerationmore things like the security situation around the Temple Mount and Friday prayer and different things. It is a world away from Galilee it seems, the area was quiet and peaceful. Here, we are back in the city and all that comes with it.

We are still enjoying ourselves and are safe and sound. We love you all and look forward to sharing our trip with you soon.