Because of the current political situation, we were not able to drive through the area Bible students refer to as Samaria. Gus, Barry and NAWAS make these recommendations on what is currently best for the group. We have no problem with that.
Choosing another scenic route, we drove past Mount Tabor of Deborah and Barak fame.
Our next stop was at Jezreel. This city was on a hill overlooking the valley. While there Barry reminded us of the Biblical events that took place in Jezreel and in the sites in the valley below.
While we were there, I spotted a lady cooking bread by the side of the road. I asked if I could take her photo, and with a combination of simple words and charades I was able to figure out that I could take a photo if I bought some of her bread, which was a simple solution. Adam (KB) and I each bought and photographed, and shared the bread with our tour mates in the bus. Gus said the bread was called shark. It was very thin and fairly tasty.
On to the Spring of Harod where Gideon chose his army based on how they drank water. Norm, Jeremy and LJ posed first.
Their example inspired Garry (W), Paul, Shawn, and others.
On down the road we stopped at Bet Shean. It was extremely hot by this time, but the views were spectacular. Dan and I posed with the tell in the background along with the ruins from Roman times.
Barry has given us the "buddy system" to determine if everyone is back on the bus after each stop. Mike and I have been "buddies" on this trip, so we thought it was appropriate to take a photo of us together.
Some of our group chose to climb to the top of the tell, and the rest of us walked through the Roman ruins with Gus. The area has been in runs for hundreds of years, but after Mike visited the site there was additional damage. (Just let him think you believe this!)
We were hot and exhausted as we left Bet Shean, and the drive to the next stop took an hour and a half, so you can imagine what took place during that time. The blackmail photos of sleeping tour mates will be available, I am sure.
Lunch was at the Temptation restaurant at Jericho. Several of us went up to the restaurant's roof for views. Jericho is known as the city of palms, and there were views of the current city along with a wonderful over of the ruins of Biblical Jericho.
If you look carefully at the photo (remember, it was hazy), you can see a path going up the mountain. This is the route from Jericho to Jerusalem that was used in Biblical times. It was the route of the Good Samaritan, and more importantly, it was the route taken by our Lord during his last days before the crucifixion. It is a hike some people take today, but of course we did not have time to do that.
At the top of the tell of Jericho, Barry re-told the story of the conquering of Jericho, pointing out the appropriate sites.
While in Jericho, we drive past a sycamore tree, but no Zacchaeus was there...and neither was "the" sycamore tree. Both are long gone, but the people of Jericho keep the incident fresh with the current tree. Gus led us as we sang "Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man".
The last site we visited today was the traditional baptismal site. As you can see, the water is not the clear, refreshing water we have pictured in Bible storybooks. Perhaps it was that way during Bible times, but pollution has changed the site today.
From there we drove "up to Jerusalem", which will be our home for five nights. We are looking forward to viewing the sites in the area. We will be careful, but not fearful. Please do not worry. This is an incredible adventure, and we are all thankful we are here.
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