Here is a message from Megan - hope everyone is well, Rip.
If you've spent any amount of time in the presence of Joyce, you will have noticed that sometimes she just glows. There is a sheer joy that begins deep down inside of her and just radiates outwards and it is absolutely contagious.
It seems to me that Joyce has been glowing more than usual on this trip, but most especially these last two days when we did the renewal of marriage vows and the renewal of baptism.
To see her in these moments was truly to see her in her glory and it was an honour to have born witness to such a meaningful experience for Joyce as well as all of those who were blessed enough to be able to take part in this trip and in these ceremonies.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Shalom
We enjoy our Farewell Dinner and the group are all thankful in different ways for a wonderful experience. We have had an amazing journey together and everyone has gotten along beautifully and there are so many touching memories to share.
I am so grateful for the sharing of a trip of a lifetime with such great people; thank you to each and every one. Special thanks to Marilyn who jumped in and scoured the internet early on and the found so many fabulous, not-to-be-missed places to add to our itinerary and who helped me sort out answers to questions and details of the process.
Each person added something unique and important - truly each a child of God.
As I say shalom to the blog entries I realize that the word `shalom`is used in Israel to say both goodbye and hello which is very fitting as we say goodbye to the official time of the trip, but at the same time say hello to seeing life and the world of Israel and Jordan in a new way because of our experience.
Shalom, my friends, shalom, my friends, shalom, shalom with deep gratitude.
I am so grateful for the sharing of a trip of a lifetime with such great people; thank you to each and every one. Special thanks to Marilyn who jumped in and scoured the internet early on and the found so many fabulous, not-to-be-missed places to add to our itinerary and who helped me sort out answers to questions and details of the process.
Each person added something unique and important - truly each a child of God.
As I say shalom to the blog entries I realize that the word `shalom`is used in Israel to say both goodbye and hello which is very fitting as we say goodbye to the official time of the trip, but at the same time say hello to seeing life and the world of Israel and Jordan in a new way because of our experience.
Shalom, my friends, shalom, my friends, shalom, shalom with deep gratitude.
Jericho
We are up before dawn at our Bedouin camp and the bus leaves promptly at 6 am. We watch the sunrise from the coach and a few of us have a bus-nap to make up for the short night! We have a long ride ahead to the Allenby Bridge to return to Israel today. We travel on the King's Highway which is 5,000 years old - it passes through a string of ancient sites. One of them is Madaba, "the City of Mosaics". We stop and have a tour of the Greek Orthodox church of St. George. On the floor is a wonderfully vivid, 6th centry Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. Some of the map is missing, but there is enough there to be colourful and impressive.
Ten minutes to the west of Mount Nebo where Moses looked out over the Promised Land. God said to him that he would see it, but not live to cross over, this is the presumed site of the Prophet's death and burial place. The view is breathtaking and we can look across into Jordan one way and the other way over the Jordan River and Dead Sea into Israel and the Mount of Olives, and Jerusalem which are not far away.
We hussle back into the bus and make haste to the Allenby Bridge because it is the Jewish Shabbat (sabbath)and the bridge will close at 12 noon. We arrive and it takes the usual 1 hour and 45 minutes to get through all the security checks and line ups. Our organized tour guide Dicko is waiting for us along with our friendly bus drive Sharif, who is very sweet with his winks- universal language!
Even though we are on our way to the hotel to freshen up before our flight, Dicko has a full day planned for us. We go to the city of Jericho dating back to about 7,000 BC. In the area cave dwellers have also been found (Carmel) dating back to some 600,000 years before Christ. That is beyond comprehension! We also see a sycamore tree that is some 2,000 years old, said to be the one that Zacchaeus the tax collector was sitting in as Jesus came by. It is a large, gnarled tree, like a big bonsai!
In Jericho we walk to Elisha's spring - and taste the fresh water. Water is such a crucial part of the survival of the people's of Jordan and Israel. Right now a 1 billion dollar pipiline is being run through Jordan and it is estimated that fresh water will be supplied for about 45-50 years - after that????
On we go to our hotel in Tel Aviv to rest and shower before our Farewell Dinner.
What a day - what a trip!
Ten minutes to the west of Mount Nebo where Moses looked out over the Promised Land. God said to him that he would see it, but not live to cross over, this is the presumed site of the Prophet's death and burial place. The view is breathtaking and we can look across into Jordan one way and the other way over the Jordan River and Dead Sea into Israel and the Mount of Olives, and Jerusalem which are not far away.
We hussle back into the bus and make haste to the Allenby Bridge because it is the Jewish Shabbat (sabbath)and the bridge will close at 12 noon. We arrive and it takes the usual 1 hour and 45 minutes to get through all the security checks and line ups. Our organized tour guide Dicko is waiting for us along with our friendly bus drive Sharif, who is very sweet with his winks- universal language!
Even though we are on our way to the hotel to freshen up before our flight, Dicko has a full day planned for us. We go to the city of Jericho dating back to about 7,000 BC. In the area cave dwellers have also been found (Carmel) dating back to some 600,000 years before Christ. That is beyond comprehension! We also see a sycamore tree that is some 2,000 years old, said to be the one that Zacchaeus the tax collector was sitting in as Jesus came by. It is a large, gnarled tree, like a big bonsai!
In Jericho we walk to Elisha's spring - and taste the fresh water. Water is such a crucial part of the survival of the people's of Jordan and Israel. Right now a 1 billion dollar pipiline is being run through Jordan and it is estimated that fresh water will be supplied for about 45-50 years - after that????
On we go to our hotel in Tel Aviv to rest and shower before our Farewell Dinner.
What a day - what a trip!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
7 Wonders Bedouin Camp
We stayed at the 7 wonders Bedouin camp last night - what an experience! We were in canvas covered huts with simple beds and one light and a candle. Dinner was cooked in the ground heated by fire. It was delicious! After dinner we gathered around a fire in a circular area with ground cushions. Here there were songs, wine and 2 cakes that miraculously appeared when I mentioned that it was Doug's birthday and mary Anne's 50th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately we couldn't call Don because there was no internet - did I say it was primitive?
The lights on the mountains around us, the full moon and the stars made it quite the experience. We were off to bed early for a wake up call at 5 am, breakfast at 5:30 and on the bus for 6 am. Whew!
Did I mention that Rip got up and had a shower and came back to tell it was time to get up and I had better get going before the rush the communal bathrooms - I raced out of bed, put clothes on, put on my watch and lit a candle to read the time - 2:05 am!!!
Back to sleep we went and got up at the right time; a little tired, but ready for another full day!
The lights on the mountains around us, the full moon and the stars made it quite the experience. We were off to bed early for a wake up call at 5 am, breakfast at 5:30 and on the bus for 6 am. Whew!
Did I mention that Rip got up and had a shower and came back to tell it was time to get up and I had better get going before the rush the communal bathrooms - I raced out of bed, put clothes on, put on my watch and lit a candle to read the time - 2:05 am!!!
Back to sleep we went and got up at the right time; a little tired, but ready for another full day!
Petra
After a lovely night in our specacular hotel we are off to Petra, the red rock city. It is beyond description with the winding path (called The Siq). The canyon of rock swirls high above us and winds down a path to a place called The Treasury. We have a group photo there with the Post newspaper. Hope we will get published!
Petra is known as one of the 7 Wonders of the world, and it has certainly impressed all of us. We have 4 hours there of treking, horse back riding and camel riding; some of our group took horse drawn carriages as well. In addition there was a LOT of walking and story telling of the peoples who first settled in the area.
I loved riding the camel but I was not warned that when the camel sits down the front goes down to the ground first and you must hang on for dear life or go .,.. over tea kettle to the ground! The horse back riding went better and I remembered my old days of riding in marshall potato fields in ancaster many long years ago.
A place and day of memories, never to be forgotten!
Petra is known as one of the 7 Wonders of the world, and it has certainly impressed all of us. We have 4 hours there of treking, horse back riding and camel riding; some of our group took horse drawn carriages as well. In addition there was a LOT of walking and story telling of the peoples who first settled in the area.
I loved riding the camel but I was not warned that when the camel sits down the front goes down to the ground first and you must hang on for dear life or go .,.. over tea kettle to the ground! The horse back riding went better and I remembered my old days of riding in marshall potato fields in ancaster many long years ago.
A place and day of memories, never to be forgotten!
Jordan
It takes almost 2 hours to cross the border into Jordan. It is obvious that security is more of an issue here - men with machine guns track the bus as we go through the 4th round of security.
The first thing we notice is the loads of garbage at the sides of the roads - there are garbage tins on wheels in front of the houses but these seem to be full; perhaps they do not have weekly garbage collection!
Stoplights are few and far between - and stop signs, when there is one, seem to be a suggestion; not the law. It is also unusual to see lane lines on the road so people seem to weave in and out and in the middle at their whim.
Just today our bus went through two stoplights and a truck that passed us just missed hitting a pedestrian - on the highway!
80% of Jordan is desert and the rest just patches of green mostly along the Jordan River. We see lots of camels (two humps)and dromedaries (one hump). Camels and dromedaries can go 2 weeks without water and then the consume it so fast that if a human drank that fast it would kill them!
We had no internet service last night so this is my post for Thursday!
We visit a craft shop in a cave and the garage is also a cave!
The first thing we notice is the loads of garbage at the sides of the roads - there are garbage tins on wheels in front of the houses but these seem to be full; perhaps they do not have weekly garbage collection!
Stoplights are few and far between - and stop signs, when there is one, seem to be a suggestion; not the law. It is also unusual to see lane lines on the road so people seem to weave in and out and in the middle at their whim.
Just today our bus went through two stoplights and a truck that passed us just missed hitting a pedestrian - on the highway!
80% of Jordan is desert and the rest just patches of green mostly along the Jordan River. We see lots of camels (two humps)and dromedaries (one hump). Camels and dromedaries can go 2 weeks without water and then the consume it so fast that if a human drank that fast it would kill them!
We had no internet service last night so this is my post for Thursday!
We visit a craft shop in a cave and the garage is also a cave!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Many surprises
A DAY OF SURPRISES
Up early as usual and on the bus to Jordan. On arrival we go through 2 sets of security on the Israel side of the border and then we are shuttled to two sets of security on the Jordan side of the border. Kevin gets pulled aside once more by the Israeli's and asked the same questions as before. It does not seem to be unusual - our guide, Diko, and our bus driver, Sharif, says this is normal. It happens all the time.
We are on a bus shuttle to cross over and then on another bus with a Tourist Police officer. The security is beyond what we have ever seen.
The countryside is really different - high mountains, dry soil, few trees. There is little rain in this area.
We stop for lunch in an area that looks like it has nothing. A small shop entrance opens up to a huge restaurant area, shaded. The lunch is wonderful and lots of people are enjoying hooka pipes after the meal.
Off to Jerash, a Graeco-Roman ciy, close second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan. It is huge and the "short" tour takes almost 2 hours. Our new tour guide, Ahmad, is soft spoken, very different from Diko, but also very knowledgeable.
On the tour an outgoing entrepreneur selling postcards asks Laura how old she is and if she is married. He is 18 and offers 2,000 camels for her hand in marriage! Surpise, surprise!
On the bus again and have a tour of Amman before getting to our hotel. It is amazing! It has a huge chandelier and glass elevators to glorious rooms. Once again our accommodations are first rate. Our luggage and carry ons are scanned through xray which is a first for many of us at a hotel. Another surprise!
The meal is wonderful, and we are off to bed early for a dawn start tomorrow to visit Petra, the red rock city. Amman is a big city, dense population, but we are in a diplomat area which is a great surprise.
Up early as usual and on the bus to Jordan. On arrival we go through 2 sets of security on the Israel side of the border and then we are shuttled to two sets of security on the Jordan side of the border. Kevin gets pulled aside once more by the Israeli's and asked the same questions as before. It does not seem to be unusual - our guide, Diko, and our bus driver, Sharif, says this is normal. It happens all the time.
We are on a bus shuttle to cross over and then on another bus with a Tourist Police officer. The security is beyond what we have ever seen.
The countryside is really different - high mountains, dry soil, few trees. There is little rain in this area.
We stop for lunch in an area that looks like it has nothing. A small shop entrance opens up to a huge restaurant area, shaded. The lunch is wonderful and lots of people are enjoying hooka pipes after the meal.
Off to Jerash, a Graeco-Roman ciy, close second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan. It is huge and the "short" tour takes almost 2 hours. Our new tour guide, Ahmad, is soft spoken, very different from Diko, but also very knowledgeable.
On the tour an outgoing entrepreneur selling postcards asks Laura how old she is and if she is married. He is 18 and offers 2,000 camels for her hand in marriage! Surpise, surprise!
On the bus again and have a tour of Amman before getting to our hotel. It is amazing! It has a huge chandelier and glass elevators to glorious rooms. Once again our accommodations are first rate. Our luggage and carry ons are scanned through xray which is a first for many of us at a hotel. Another surprise!
The meal is wonderful, and we are off to bed early for a dawn start tomorrow to visit Petra, the red rock city. Amman is a big city, dense population, but we are in a diplomat area which is a great surprise.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wow - what a day!
This was an amazing day! First we had the renewal of baptisms at the Jordan River - it was very emotional and special with a guitar playing in the background and the beauty of the river around us. At first I was distracted by the small fish nibbling at my feet, but when we got into the renewal of baptisms I didn't notice them anymore; it was precious to experience the renewal of faith with so many people close to my heart. And Rip took pictures, watched them all and then renewed my baptism. We were all in white robes and because we were early it was not overly crowded.
From there we went to the Mount of the Beatitudes; a gorgeous setting of gardens and church where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. It was beside the sea of Galilee so the water view along with the flowers and garden and walkways with mosaics of biblical characters was beyond description.
From there we went to Caeserea Phillipi or the Bania Springs, passing the Golan Heights. Here we found a lovely spring with lots of fish (Rip love this!) and a large rock area where Jesus asked Peter build a temple - the beginning of the Christian church.
Back down the mountain area to have lunch on Peter's fish (tilpia) - a whole fish on our plate with delicious Middle East salads and pita bread.
Off we went in good time (our guide says "time is holy"! to the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee - wow! The boat was rich wood with a curved floor and they raised the Canadian flag and we sang our anthem - very moving.
Then we heard some Israeli music and the crew got us dancing in a circle and singing songs in a round.
After deboarding we were back on the bus to Capernaum (the "village of Nahum") which was considered a hometown of Jesus. We saw the ruins of the temple there and the new church built carefully on top.
Then off to Tabgha the site where Jesus fed the thousands with the few loaves and fishes and the Church of the Multiplication. They had a live fish pond outside! also good in Rip 's world!
We ended our day by the Sea of Galilee - very tired but privileged to have been part of the journey and all the variety of experiences that the day has brought.
Our hotel is fabulous - a 5 star and most of the rooms have a view of the sea of Galilee; at least in part. The food is delicious with lots of selection.
Our guide and bus driver are really working hard
From there we went to the Mount of the Beatitudes; a gorgeous setting of gardens and church where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. It was beside the sea of Galilee so the water view along with the flowers and garden and walkways with mosaics of biblical characters was beyond description.
From there we went to Caeserea Phillipi or the Bania Springs, passing the Golan Heights. Here we found a lovely spring with lots of fish (Rip love this!) and a large rock area where Jesus asked Peter build a temple - the beginning of the Christian church.
Back down the mountain area to have lunch on Peter's fish (tilpia) - a whole fish on our plate with delicious Middle East salads and pita bread.
Off we went in good time (our guide says "time is holy"! to the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee - wow! The boat was rich wood with a curved floor and they raised the Canadian flag and we sang our anthem - very moving.
Then we heard some Israeli music and the crew got us dancing in a circle and singing songs in a round.
After deboarding we were back on the bus to Capernaum (the "village of Nahum") which was considered a hometown of Jesus. We saw the ruins of the temple there and the new church built carefully on top.
Then off to Tabgha the site where Jesus fed the thousands with the few loaves and fishes and the Church of the Multiplication. They had a live fish pond outside! also good in Rip 's world!
We ended our day by the Sea of Galilee - very tired but privileged to have been part of the journey and all the variety of experiences that the day has brought.
Our hotel is fabulous - a 5 star and most of the rooms have a view of the sea of Galilee; at least in part. The food is delicious with lots of selection.
Our guide and bus driver are really working hard
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Casesarea, Haifi, Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana
Wow -what a day! Today while travelling from Jerusalem to Haifa we passed through sn agricultural area - quite different for the desert area of yesterday. We saw vineyards, avocados, figs, almond, orange and grapefruit trees. There were several banana plantations, some covered over with nets and some not. The bananas were covered with blue plastic bags hanging from the trees. the cotton has just been picked (by machines) and hug bales are waiting in the fields to be picked up. We saw storks and egrets on their migratory route.
We enjoyed seeing a variety of trees - cyprus, eucalyptusm palm, cedars of Lebanon and pine. The beautiful flowering trees abnd shrubs add beauty to landscape - whtie,pink and oragne bouganvilla are everywhere. Flowering rosemary, jacaranda abd oliander add a purple abd white hue. Today was feast for the eyes!
We visited Caesarea, Haifi with the Persian Gardens, Megiddo, Nazareth and Cana where we renewed wedding vows. On to our 5 star hotel in Tiberius.
Another awesome day!
We enjoyed seeing a variety of trees - cyprus, eucalyptusm palm, cedars of Lebanon and pine. The beautiful flowering trees abnd shrubs add beauty to landscape - whtie,pink and oragne bouganvilla are everywhere. Flowering rosemary, jacaranda abd oliander add a purple abd white hue. Today was feast for the eyes!
We visited Caesarea, Haifi with the Persian Gardens, Megiddo, Nazareth and Cana where we renewed wedding vows. On to our 5 star hotel in Tiberius.
Another awesome day!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Happy thanksgiving Canada!
It is Thanksgiving Day at home and we are thinking of all our family and wishing them a wonderful day. Today was another full touring day - up at 6:15 am and on the bus by 8 am. Off to the Garden of Gethsemane and then to Masada, driving along the beautiful Dead Sea. We ascended Masada, the last stronghold of the jews after the destruction of the Second Temple. We went up by cable car and visited the food storeroom, wagter irrigation system, Herod's Palace and Bath. It was 40C today and it was hot, hot, hot up the heavens of Masada. Came down to the bottom for lunch and left for the beach on the Dead Sea where we floated and covered ourselves with magic mud! It was amazing to float totally on the surface of the water. Left for Jerusalemm again visiting the church of the Dominus Flavit,the little Teardrop church. Watched the sunset over Jerusalem and back to the Hotel. There we met the directors of the Four Homes of Mercy who told us their story of looking after those who have no place to live in society. It was very moving as we presented our prayer shawls and cheque to them.
Some of went for dinner at the Armenian Taverna -inside a cave like atmosphere and then up to the top of the Notre Dame hotel to see the city at night.
We were thankful for a very busy, fascinating day, and even though we didn't have turkey and stuffing, it was full of inspirational events all day long.
Some of went for dinner at the Armenian Taverna -inside a cave like atmosphere and then up to the top of the Notre Dame hotel to see the city at night.
We were thankful for a very busy, fascinating day, and even though we didn't have turkey and stuffing, it was full of inspirational events all day long.
|Touring mantra
There is one touring mantra we hear every day : Squeeze up tight; close the gap; step it up! I guess when you have 27 people to get in and out of tour sites you have to have a mantra to inspire them! Sometimes I think this mantra to keep other more aggressive people from interrupting our line - whatever it is we are getting used to squeezing, closing and stepping it up. It's all good!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Another packed day!
Today we began with a wake up call at 6 am and a start at 8 am to the Kotel Tunnel Tour near the Western Wall. The underground tunnel was amazing with people praying along the way and the construction of the tunnel explained. After that we brought our prayers to the Western wall; men to the left; women to the right. It was very emotional to place your prayers in the cracks in the wall and witness the furtive prayers and weeping.
Then we went off to Bethlehem and while waiting to see the site of Jesus' birth we witnessed the baptism of a baby - how appropriate! We hummed some Christmas carols as we waited until we were shushed!
Then we went to the Israel Museum and saw the outdoor model of the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls inside.
Then we spent time in the Holocaust Museum; no words to describe the emotions here; the Chidren's Museum showed pictures of children killed and an ongoing audio of their names, birth places and ages. It was very moving.
Along the way we have seen Carob Trees and Olive Trees; it is believed that if someone is desiring to become pregnant they should swallow an olive from the tree for a miracle of new life.
The food has been wonderful - lots of vegetarian dishes; hummous; eggplant and fish.
Our hotel has a rooftop area by the city wall where we gather for conversation and some good wine each day. We can also hear the Muslim call to prayer which is spiritually meaningful.
Lots of sight seeing packed into our days - many sore feet, backs and hips by the end of the day - it is truly an amazing experience. Packed - and wonderful!
Then we went off to Bethlehem and while waiting to see the site of Jesus' birth we witnessed the baptism of a baby - how appropriate! We hummed some Christmas carols as we waited until we were shushed!
Then we went to the Israel Museum and saw the outdoor model of the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls inside.
Then we spent time in the Holocaust Museum; no words to describe the emotions here; the Chidren's Museum showed pictures of children killed and an ongoing audio of their names, birth places and ages. It was very moving.
Along the way we have seen Carob Trees and Olive Trees; it is believed that if someone is desiring to become pregnant they should swallow an olive from the tree for a miracle of new life.
The food has been wonderful - lots of vegetarian dishes; hummous; eggplant and fish.
Our hotel has a rooftop area by the city wall where we gather for conversation and some good wine each day. We can also hear the Muslim call to prayer which is spiritually meaningful.
Lots of sight seeing packed into our days - many sore feet, backs and hips by the end of the day - it is truly an amazing experience. Packed - and wonderful!
Caboose!
Diko asked for a volunteer to be the "caboose"; the one who brings up the rear of the group and makes sure everyone is accounted for; thanks Tony for being this person! Imagine every time we go in or out of the site or on the bus Tony must know where everyone is and signal that all are on board. It is a thankless job, but one that is important for the smooth running of our day - reminds me of the "little engine that could" - and man, can Tony do it well!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
'Walking Tour
Wow - what a day! We begain our walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem! It was amazing. Our tour guide, Diko showed us such aweome sights. We entered the city at Herod's Gate. The day was beautiful; sunny and warm. We visited St. Anne's church where we sang Hallelujah and listened to a woman singing "How Great Thou Art" - it was so inspiring. Then we walked the Via Dolorosa (meaning the way of suffering). We walked the way of the stations of the cross. We saw the tomb of Mary. Many other sights before we headed back to our hotel for happy hour and dinner. We are tired out from all the walking - we sure got our 10,000 steps in today!
Again at sunset we heard the Muslim call to prayer over the city. It is such an amazing place and so much more peaceful than we are led to believe back home. What a walking tour!
Again at sunset we heard the Muslim call to prayer over the city. It is such an amazing place and so much more peaceful than we are led to believe back home. What a walking tour!
Tight
It was quite surprising the tight security on our airline, El Al, when we were leaving Toronto. Wow. To be asked over and over how you know those you are travelling with, how many years each you have known each person, and if anyone knows anyone in the country you are travelling to is really overwhelming. We made it through the inquisitions, and through Kevin's multi questions before we considered ourselves safe. Glad to arrive safe and tight and tired, but happy.
Friday, October 7, 2011
We have arrived!
We had a good flight to Tel Aviv - lots of leg room and the 11 hours went by smoothly in spite of a few crying babies! Good food; a paper came with each meal indicating that the preparation was supervised by a rabbi - who gets a job like that I ask you?? The meals also had a card wishing us a "Happy New Year".
Our guide for the day, Josi ("Joe" in Hebrew) was wonderful. He took us up the Mount of Olives and explained the history of the Jewish people and the area. At that time the cantor was singing to call Muslims to prayer - it was very moving. Imagine the whole area stopping to pray - wow.
Then we checked in at our hotel which is lovely and after a shift of a few rooms to get the right beds everyone settled in. Off to the Garden Tomb for our tour by Ivan who was delightful and then communion. It was a beautiful place of serenity and spiritual presence.
There is a rooftop area at the hotel to gather for conversation and Happy Hour; then off to our dinner and an early night for some very jet-lagged pilgrims. At sundown tonight the high holy Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins - no vehicles, airplanes, buses or businesses are open for this time of repentance and renewal. Fortunately for us we are staying at an Arab Hotel so we will have all the ammenities.
We will be going on a walking tour of Old Jerusalem with our new tour guide in the morning. Most of us can't even go there yet until we get some much needed shut eye!
We have surely arrived, and how grateful we are to have this amazing experience.
Our guide for the day, Josi ("Joe" in Hebrew) was wonderful. He took us up the Mount of Olives and explained the history of the Jewish people and the area. At that time the cantor was singing to call Muslims to prayer - it was very moving. Imagine the whole area stopping to pray - wow.
Then we checked in at our hotel which is lovely and after a shift of a few rooms to get the right beds everyone settled in. Off to the Garden Tomb for our tour by Ivan who was delightful and then communion. It was a beautiful place of serenity and spiritual presence.
There is a rooftop area at the hotel to gather for conversation and Happy Hour; then off to our dinner and an early night for some very jet-lagged pilgrims. At sundown tonight the high holy Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins - no vehicles, airplanes, buses or businesses are open for this time of repentance and renewal. Fortunately for us we are staying at an Arab Hotel so we will have all the ammenities.
We will be going on a walking tour of Old Jerusalem with our new tour guide in the morning. Most of us can't even go there yet until we get some much needed shut eye!
We have surely arrived, and how grateful we are to have this amazing experience.
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