Days Three and Four: Galilee ("Put Your Hand in the Hand")

I am combining days three and four so I can get "caught up" with the blog. We are packing so much into each day, it's hard to keep track of everything we have done. 

We left Nazareth on Sat 30th for Upper Galilee. Stopped at a number of archeological sites along the way. We are travelling by bus, by the way. There are 14 of us in all. Took this photo tonight with my "selfie stick"!

So, yesterday we toured archeological sites at Hazor and Tel Dan. The Dan River is one of the three sources of the Jordan River:

Excavation began in Tel Dan in 1966. The first city was built here during the early Canaanite period. We toured the ruins and hiked through the grounds, being warned to look out for the poisonous vipers (really!) Hiking around reminded me of hiking in the Hocking Hills - if the Hocking Hills had ancient ruins and poisonous vipers. :-) 

At one spot at Tel Dan you are standing in Israel, but can see Lebanon and Syria:

A recent discovery at Tel Dan is a Canaanite gate dating back to the time of Abraham:

On to archeological sites at Banyas (Herod Agrippa's Palace) and Omrit:

There is no possible way to even begin to share everything we discussed regarding these ancient sites.  I'll have much to share when I return!

We ended the day by arriving at our hotel in Nof Ginosar on the Sea of Galilee where we spent the night last night.

Started out early today to visit the remains of a first century Jewish synagogue at Gamla. The trick was, in order to get to the synagogue we had to literally scale the side of a mountain - down a rocky path, up the other side, then back again:

Now I know why they recommended we do a lot of walking as a build up to this trip. It was a very challenging hike, but beautiful and facinating.

We visited Kursi, Capernaum, Korazim and Magdala where there is another first century synagogue which has just recently been excavated. New discoveries are being made every day.

After lunch on the Sea of Galilee, we took a boat ride. A perfect end to a facinating, exhausting and awe-inspiring day.

On to Jericho tomorrow.

Shalom,

Lisa

 

Day Two: Nazareth (Take a Load Off, Fanny)

So, we spent the first two nights in Nazareth. What a unique and interesting place. 

The signs are all in Hebrew, Arabic, and English - the three official languages. Nazareth is a bustling city of 90 thousand people - all apparently trying to navigate the narrow, winding, hilly streets at the same time. It reminded me of trying to drive in downtown Chicgo - if Chicago was hilly!

Of the 90 thousand who live here in Nazareth, 60,000 are Sunni and 30,000 are Christian. There are literally no Jewish people in Nazareth. It is the largest Arabic speaking concentration in Israel.

We spent a good portion of the second day at the excavation site of the ancient city of Sepphoris, not far from Nazareth. We had the priviledge of meeting and hearing from one of the excavators. Sepphoris was established in the second century BCE and was a major city during the time of Jesus. It sat on a hill and could be seen from anywhere in Galilee. The excavation there is ongoing.

After Sepphoris we travelled back to Nazareth. We visited a place called, "Nazareth Village," a reconstructed 1st century village. It is situated right in the middle of the modern city, so it was an interesting contrast to modern life going on all around it. We visited a Baptist school and learned about life modern day Nazareth from the director of the school. We visited the Church of the Annunciation - a shrine to Mary:

Finally we visited an excavation site literally right under the Guest House where we were staying. A first century house has been uncovered, and it was facinating to see what a house during Jesus' time would have looked like:

We ended the day with a wonderful dinner on the terrace of our hotel. A very loud wedding celebration was going on down the street, and the call to prayer was going out in the city. Nazareth is a facinating place.

Shalom

Lisa

 

This is technically "day two" but it is the first chance I've had to sit and write. We arrived in Tel Aviv at 10:15 AM on Thurs 28th - which was 3:30 AM "body clock time." Immediately boarded a bus and headed north to Caesarea - so within two hours of landing I got my first gimpse of the Mediterranean.

Caeserea dates back to 586 BCE. In 30 BCE Herod turned it into a large port city. It has been through many transformations since then. Among the attractions to visit are excavated remains of a palace and amphitheatre. Overall an awesome experience, jet lag and all. :-) A good way to start our visit.

Headed to Bet She'arim where we toured excavated tombs of ancient rabbis. This was my favorite room - reminded me of Indiana Jones:

Eventually headed to Nazareth where we are spending two nights at the Sisters of Nazareth Guest House. A stunning place with a panaramic view of the city. Much more about Nazareth tomorrow - an amazing place... 

Having a wonderful time...wish you were here...

Lisa

 

Preparing for the Journey!

As I prepare to leave for Israel/Palestine on Wednesday 5/27 I am spending some precious time with my family, and practicing using my new "Selfie stick!" I have been told that internet availability will be "spotty" the first few days of the trip, but then will be pretty consistantly available the rest of the time. I will post more to this blog as soon as I am able to do so. I look forward to this amazing opportunity and will share more with you soon!