Kaci and I made it back to Austin yesterday after 24 hours of travel. We came in, picked up our dog from our friends house, and then had some texmex. Not long after that we went to bed! In the next day or so I will post some of the pictures from our trip and sit down to write a little more about our trip.
I want to thank you all for helping us make thi trip possible and prayig for us and following us as we went on this great jourey!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
One more day in Israel
We have had some very busy last couple days. Saturday we visited theMount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and came the closest wehave been to walking in the actual steps of Christ. WOW! We also had some visitors who are friends of one of my classmates. They came and talked about the work they have done here in the country and in Palestine.
Yesterday we did all you can do inside the walls of the old city. We visited the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, walked through many of the old churches and the Via Dolorosa, and the Wailing Wall. The Wailing Wall (Western Wall) is a pretty powerful place and was a good time to pray and reflect. It was in stark contradicition to the Holy Sepulchre which refelcts the hustle, bustle, and noise of the city.
Today we are going to Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust museum. We will also visit some other sites and prepare for our early departure tommorrow morning. We look forward to seeing you all when we get home and sharing our stories and treasures. Sorry this is such a short note, but without pictures some of the sights just wont be done justice. Plus, I just don't have the time, we are always on the move it seems.
Yesterday we did all you can do inside the walls of the old city. We visited the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, walked through many of the old churches and the Via Dolorosa, and the Wailing Wall. The Wailing Wall (Western Wall) is a pretty powerful place and was a good time to pray and reflect. It was in stark contradicition to the Holy Sepulchre which refelcts the hustle, bustle, and noise of the city.
Today we are going to Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust museum. We will also visit some other sites and prepare for our early departure tommorrow morning. We look forward to seeing you all when we get home and sharing our stories and treasures. Sorry this is such a short note, but without pictures some of the sights just wont be done justice. Plus, I just don't have the time, we are always on the move it seems.
Friday, January 16, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Last days near the Galilee
We've had a another full couple days in the Galilee region. I'll try to keep this post short but include a good number of pictures.
Yesterday we began at Tel Hatzor which a the ruins of what would have been a major city in the region and would have controlled a trading route. From there we had an amazing view of Mt Hermon which is on the northern most boundary of Israel. After Hatzor we drove to Banias springs which is one of the sources of the Jordan River. At the source of the springs is the location of Ceserea Philipi, so we explored the ruins there and the temple dedicated to Pan. After a great hike beside the spring we went to a Druze village and had a great local lunch, that we both really enjoyed. We then drive through the Golan Heights and along the Syrian border. We also took a stop at the Jordan River so we could all stick our feet in.
Today we started early with a boat ride on the Galilee. It was a sureal kind of experience, I can't even explain. After our boat ride we made the trip down to Cana on our way to Nazareth to the Church of the Annunciation, it is an awesome basillica and church. After Nazareth we had a trip back to Ein Gev kibbutz for lunch (pizza for Kaci and I) and then down to some amzing Roman ruins at Bet She'an. It contain some mostly complete ruins of a bath house, public latrine, theatre and other buildings. And now we are back at the Pilgerhaus. Not as many sites but quite a bit of driving.
***I'm going to try again later to get some more pictures posted. The computer isn't cooperating and their is a line behind me. But the one picture you see is of me sitting in the public latrines in Bet She'an. Love you all.***
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hello from Israel
We got into Israel yesterday and it is another world compared to Egypt. Israel is so modern compared to Cairo. The Tel Aviv airport is like coming into a brand new European airport, and everywhere you look there is something new and modern, the land is clean and it if I didn't know any better I would say we were driving in parts of the Texas Hill Country.
Yesterday we arrived in Tel Aviv about noon or so and drove to the north to Ceserea Maritoma and touched the Mediteranean Sea. We saw some aqueduct ruins, a former theatre, and a man made sea port from the time of Jesus and Herod the Great. Then we went a little to the northeast to the ruins of a town called Meggido. It is the sight of about 25 cities that have been built one on top of the other. It was a heavily fortified city and at one point they dug a hug shft and tunnel to get to a fresh spring so they would never have to walk outside the city walls. In between those two quick stops we ate lunch at modern Jewish kibbutz, Kaci was very pleased with the offerings.
Today we have had a very full day. We started the day right on the Sea of Galilee at the Church of the Primacy of Peter where tradition says that Jesus questioned Peter the three times, "do you love me?" After this we traveled a short distance and went to Capernaum where the ruins of the synagogue and city lay. Also there is the home where Jesus healed paralytic from Mark 2. Then we took another quick drive to a Greek Orthodox church that looks at Capernaum. The chapel is gorgeous and decorated with frescos and icons everywhere. Then we drove up the hillside and went to the Mount of the Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It has a grogeous view of the Sea of Galilee and sits on some beautiful grounds. We then had St Peter's fish for lunch (Kaci had chicken). After lunch we went to the Church of the Mulitplication which is just around the corner from our hotel. This is the traditional site where Jesus fed the 4000. Then we took a drive up to a cliff that overlooks the entire region and has a great view of the Sea of Galilee and everything around. Today was very full but was amazing to think that at many of the sites Jesus may have walked, and even if this isn't the exact site, he was somewhere close.
Tonight Kaci got a little wild and took a dip in the Sea of Galilee. Today's tempature hasn't gotten any higher than 60, but she did it without any hesitation. Tonight dinner was a very good dinner and we bothy ate very well. The accomadations that we are staying in here at Tiberias is called the Pilgerhaus Tabgha. It's owned and run by a German Catholic group and is a stones throw from the Sea of Galilee. The accomodations are really top notch and we are well fed and the rooms are great.
We have two more full days in the Galilee region and will head to Jerusalem Thursday morning. The country is really amazing and if we didn't already know then we would never guess a conflict was going on in the southern part of the country. We have felt safe everywhere we've been and feel really comfortable in the country. We wish you all were here and experiencing this with us.
Also, we are now about half way through the trip and I have to say a special thank you to everyone that helped make this trip possible. It's a pretty amazing trip, I can't even describe how awesome it is to be here, especially with Kaci, thank you!
---I'll have to add pictures later. We have some really good ones, but because of the limited connection we have here it will have to wait until another time.
Yesterday we arrived in Tel Aviv about noon or so and drove to the north to Ceserea Maritoma and touched the Mediteranean Sea. We saw some aqueduct ruins, a former theatre, and a man made sea port from the time of Jesus and Herod the Great. Then we went a little to the northeast to the ruins of a town called Meggido. It is the sight of about 25 cities that have been built one on top of the other. It was a heavily fortified city and at one point they dug a hug shft and tunnel to get to a fresh spring so they would never have to walk outside the city walls. In between those two quick stops we ate lunch at modern Jewish kibbutz, Kaci was very pleased with the offerings.
Today we have had a very full day. We started the day right on the Sea of Galilee at the Church of the Primacy of Peter where tradition says that Jesus questioned Peter the three times, "do you love me?" After this we traveled a short distance and went to Capernaum where the ruins of the synagogue and city lay. Also there is the home where Jesus healed paralytic from Mark 2. Then we took another quick drive to a Greek Orthodox church that looks at Capernaum. The chapel is gorgeous and decorated with frescos and icons everywhere. Then we drove up the hillside and went to the Mount of the Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It has a grogeous view of the Sea of Galilee and sits on some beautiful grounds. We then had St Peter's fish for lunch (Kaci had chicken). After lunch we went to the Church of the Mulitplication which is just around the corner from our hotel. This is the traditional site where Jesus fed the 4000. Then we took a drive up to a cliff that overlooks the entire region and has a great view of the Sea of Galilee and everything around. Today was very full but was amazing to think that at many of the sites Jesus may have walked, and even if this isn't the exact site, he was somewhere close.
Tonight Kaci got a little wild and took a dip in the Sea of Galilee. Today's tempature hasn't gotten any higher than 60, but she did it without any hesitation. Tonight dinner was a very good dinner and we bothy ate very well. The accomadations that we are staying in here at Tiberias is called the Pilgerhaus Tabgha. It's owned and run by a German Catholic group and is a stones throw from the Sea of Galilee. The accomodations are really top notch and we are well fed and the rooms are great.
We have two more full days in the Galilee region and will head to Jerusalem Thursday morning. The country is really amazing and if we didn't already know then we would never guess a conflict was going on in the southern part of the country. We have felt safe everywhere we've been and feel really comfortable in the country. We wish you all were here and experiencing this with us.
Also, we are now about half way through the trip and I have to say a special thank you to everyone that helped make this trip possible. It's a pretty amazing trip, I can't even describe how awesome it is to be here, especially with Kaci, thank you!
---I'll have to add pictures later. We have some really good ones, but because of the limited connection we have here it will have to wait until another time.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Goodbye to Cairo
Days three and four were just as busy as days one and two.
Yesterday we traveled to Wadi el Natrun to a Coptic Orthodox monestary (St Bishon Monestary I think). We spent the entire day touring the monestary and talking with the abbot. He had quite a bit to say about politics and the culture that is encroaching on them. The monestary used to be in the middle of no where, no roads, no water, no power, no nothing. Now their is a city and police station right outside their gate, and all the problems that come with that. It was a good time and their hospitality was great. We spent the evening having a history lesson and some teaching moments with our professor.
Today we visited Old Cairo. Unfortunately most of the places we visited we couldn't take pictures so no new pics to look at but I'll tell you all about it. We started at Ben Ezra Synagogue which is the 'traditional' site that where Moses was plucked from the Nile. It has gone through many versions and changed hands a number of times but is now a synagogue that is no longer active.
After Ben Ezra we went to a Coptic church that is built on the site that is said to have housed the Holy Family when they fled to Egypt from Israel. It's a beautiful old church with many icons and some beautiful wood work. After this we went to another Coptic Church called the Hanging Church which is a much larger church that is still an active parish. It contains the remains of many martyrs that have been sainted.
Following our tour of the churches we went to the Coptic Musuem which is the complete opposite of the Egytian Museum. It is wonderfully laid out and all the pieces are marked and have descriptions. It contains some great frescos, tapestries, and archetectural pieces. It also contains the oldest psalter book, from about 400ce. I could have spent hours looking at the icons it contains, but we had to make our lunch date.
We ate a restraunt in the Khan el Khalili bazzar. It's a winding maze of alleys that contains all kinds of shops and interesting little things to buy. And it is crammed with people yelling at each other and hauking their wares. It is a chaotic place but we braved it for a while and came out with some things for some of you.
After the bazzar we spent some time the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo. We visited with the dean and some students and shared a meal there.
Today has been a very, very long day. It has also been the first day which Kaci hasn't been as pleased with the food. Every other day our meals have been very large and Kaci has been able to find something on the buffet or plate that she liked. Today, no such luck. Today was also the first day that one of us has had a stomach problem. Matthew had a little trouble after lunch and had to make a quick trip to the Water Closet (WC as they say here) as soon as we arrived at the seminary.
We are both doing well and looking forward to the rest of our trip in Israel. However we have to get to bed because we have to be on the bus ready to leave the hotel at 5am. So until we write again, we love you all and wish you could be with us.
Yesterday we traveled to Wadi el Natrun to a Coptic Orthodox monestary (St Bishon Monestary I think). We spent the entire day touring the monestary and talking with the abbot. He had quite a bit to say about politics and the culture that is encroaching on them. The monestary used to be in the middle of no where, no roads, no water, no power, no nothing. Now their is a city and police station right outside their gate, and all the problems that come with that. It was a good time and their hospitality was great. We spent the evening having a history lesson and some teaching moments with our professor.
Today we visited Old Cairo. Unfortunately most of the places we visited we couldn't take pictures so no new pics to look at but I'll tell you all about it. We started at Ben Ezra Synagogue which is the 'traditional' site that where Moses was plucked from the Nile. It has gone through many versions and changed hands a number of times but is now a synagogue that is no longer active.
After Ben Ezra we went to a Coptic church that is built on the site that is said to have housed the Holy Family when they fled to Egypt from Israel. It's a beautiful old church with many icons and some beautiful wood work. After this we went to another Coptic Church called the Hanging Church which is a much larger church that is still an active parish. It contains the remains of many martyrs that have been sainted.
Following our tour of the churches we went to the Coptic Musuem which is the complete opposite of the Egytian Museum. It is wonderfully laid out and all the pieces are marked and have descriptions. It contains some great frescos, tapestries, and archetectural pieces. It also contains the oldest psalter book, from about 400ce. I could have spent hours looking at the icons it contains, but we had to make our lunch date.
We ate a restraunt in the Khan el Khalili bazzar. It's a winding maze of alleys that contains all kinds of shops and interesting little things to buy. And it is crammed with people yelling at each other and hauking their wares. It is a chaotic place but we braved it for a while and came out with some things for some of you.
After the bazzar we spent some time the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo. We visited with the dean and some students and shared a meal there.
Today has been a very, very long day. It has also been the first day which Kaci hasn't been as pleased with the food. Every other day our meals have been very large and Kaci has been able to find something on the buffet or plate that she liked. Today, no such luck. Today was also the first day that one of us has had a stomach problem. Matthew had a little trouble after lunch and had to make a quick trip to the Water Closet (WC as they say here) as soon as we arrived at the seminary.
We are both doing well and looking forward to the rest of our trip in Israel. However we have to get to bed because we have to be on the bus ready to leave the hotel at 5am. So until we write again, we love you all and wish you could be with us.
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