I found my trip notes from 9 years ago. I don’t know if this is already blogged, but I sure can’t find it, so here goes:
5-24-08
12:46 p.m. Scott and I are sitting on Absolem’s very large and high tomb. Luke and Angela went to Hebrew Museum with Clayton family, so we are exploring. Walked to Old City from hotel – very crowded with people (Muslims) and traffic jams. We payed 14 NIS to go to Pool of Bethesda and St. Ann Church. It echoed and the singing was gorgeous. We went in and sat in on the hymn service. People could come and go. St. Anne was supposedly Mary’s mother. Mary was supposedly born in the area. After that, we decided to find Hezekiah’s Tunnel. It is in Kidron Valley, along with many tombs. (Zechariah, Zepheniah)
5:50 p.m. We got back to hotel about 3:19 and rested and rearranged so Luke could have a bed instead of the floor. We didn’t find Hezekiah’s tunnel but walked all over Kidron Valley – Jewish graveyard. We thought we found where it ends, but our book didn’t have much info on it.
Day 13
5-25-08
Last night we went with other parents for meeting to discuss stuff. Most people happy with everything. Matt called Yoni and Yoni said wear water shoes and take flashlight for Hezekiah’s tunnel in the morning. It is the same as City of David. Yoni did a great job of explaining the City of David – outside the temple square. They have recently been excavating what they think is David’s palace. He lengthily read account and explained what a great servant David was, which made him great.
Then we went through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, which was a treat and fun – everyone went.
At 11:30 went to Jewish open market – very enjoyable and quiet – so different than Muslim markets. I bought 2 small spoons $15, 2 scarfs, 25 NIS & 1 pound bing cherries for 10 NIS.
12:52 p.m. – Holocaust Museum
3:55 – Finished with Museum – very good testimonies and presentations. It seems to be changed a lot since 24 years ago.
8:35 – Finally back at hotel. Will pack up to leave by 9:45 tomorrow (Monday).
The meal with Israeli home schoolers was wonderful and fellowship. Interesting moms to talk to and lots of kids.
Day 14
Monday 5-26-208 –
9:07 a.m. – Breakfast, pack up and Scott & I walked to park a couple blocks from hotel – people walking dogs.
People of many countries and languages are here – Tjekistan, India, etc.
10 a.m. – We should be leaving on bus – everyone on bus but Yoni is not here and police are blocking street and policemen and bomb squad pushing people back.
Yoni is here and bus driver said it is a bomb squad. A police van is in font of us so we can’t see the interaction.
10:06 a.m. – Now it’s opened up – we should be on our way.
Yoni’s explanation – In Jerusalem anytime a bag or backpack is left abandoned, a bomb squad is called. They close off the area and send a remote control robot that shakes the bag around and tries to open it. If it won’t open the robot has a rifle and shoots it. We didn’t hear a shot so someone accidentally left it.
On our way to overlook of Bethany (Palestinian area) and then Gilgal where Joshua set up camp after crossing Jordan River.
Bethany – just out of Jerusalem
10:42 a.m. – passed by Jericho – Palestinian – can’t go there
600,000 men circled jericho’ 6 days once a day – 7th day around city 7 times – then took out shofar (ram’s horn) and blew – walls fell down – not over. Spoils all to be devoted to God. Achen took some. Next battle was lost. Achen stoned to death.
Divine warnings against rebuilding wall of Jericho
Hills of Moab to our right on east side of Jordan River – country is Jordan on eastern border.
Stopping by roadside to take a picture of Jericho (on north side of it) – the highway was circling around it – then we will go north to Gilgal. Jordan is a peaceful neighbor.
Here at Gilgal – 11:08 a.m. – Modern settlement – need to go to ancient part. Must stop and walk to ancient site.
12:05 p.m. – climbed through goat and sheep grazing land up to Gilgal – restaurant – 12 stones and well there.
On to wherever next.
Saw a couple of fighter jets in the air.
12:40 p.m. Commercial border crossing into Jordan. Not going to Jordan but straight.Jordan would be to the right. The guard looked the bus over and at Yoni’s ID.
Going to Bet She’an for lunch, then an ancient city.
Watermelon patch to our left – harvesting them = yum!
12:55 – 45 minutes ’til lunch
1:55 p.m. Bet She’an National Park
Bet = house
model of city of Bet She’an – Roman period – most of it buried under modern homes.
Won’t go up to mountain – pagan god zens
Will see residential, downtown shopping & theater.
Originally (not Roman city)
Samuel – and of King Saul
Saul spent much time chasing David.
Philistines pushed inland to Mt. Gilboa so Saul went to fight against Philistines without Samuel the prophet (who had died)
Saul’s connection to the divine was lost.
David was hiding out with the Philistines.
David was not included in this battle.
Saul went to witch of Endor.
Summoned up soul of Samuel.
Battle did not go well for Jewish army at Mt. Gilboa.
Saul’s remains hang on gates at city of Bet She’am where we are.
Later removed close to Jerusalem.
Sennacherib destroyed this area and this city
Alexander the Great 332 B.C. established a city here called Scythopolis (from Scythians), – drinkers & partyers
10 cities he build up in this area. Decapolis (10 cities)
This was the capital of Decapolis.
Important place to get troops back and forth on the land bridge.
Romans built theater and pagan temple here – later the capital.
Palestinas Secunda – Secondary Palestine (Roman)
Pagan temples still remained in the center of town 363 A.D. – large earthquake and annother 749 A.D. destroyed city.
Muslim rule – small Bedouin tribes
1948 – Muslims fled.
Mid to late ’50s – build city before excavating everything.
1863 – last major earthquake here.
Rock is basalt – black because of being volcanic rock. The whole group except Kiersten, me, Mara & Angela walked up the mountain – temple to Zeus.
Robroy gave a short Bible study before – twas a blessing.
Golan Heights – bulk of fruit of Israel came from here on east side of Sea of Galilee (southern part)
6:15 p.m. – driving through Tiberias
Hamat = the hot – called in Bible
Tiberias – named for Emperor Tiberias
After earthquake Tiberias became capital of the area.
Scottish Crusuaderes fortress – Scotts Hotel – last city where the Sanhedrin convened.
Going on to Ginosar
Ginosar Inn
Pray for Israel 