Holy Land – St Joseph & The Penguin

Jordan!

Okay, I am now even FURTHER behind. So far behind that I am writing this in a hotel room in Buenos Aires the day before heading to Ushuaia and my Antarctica trip.

Jordan was incredible. To save time, I am just going to post pictures. Sorry I don’t have time to be creative with verbage.

Outside of the capitol, Amman (which I Now know is pronounced Ah-MAN and not Ahh – mon) are the ruins of Jerash. These are some of the most impressive Roman ruins I have ever seen.

Petra was the next big site and what most people come to this beautiful country to see. It did not disappoint.

Pictures just cannot do justice to Petra, or Wadi Rum, our next stop.

One evening we took a cooking class. It was a lot of fun, but I will say they need to get their knives sharpened.

On one of our last days, we visited the River Jordan…more like the Jordan Muddy Creek. On the other side of the water is Israel. It is so good that these two countries get along now.

THE END

P.S. As I mentioned above, I will be getting on a plane to Ushuaia and from there on to a boat to Antarctica. I will be gone for 3 weeks and internet connectivity will be pretty sparse if it exists at all. If I do manage a signal somewere, I will try to post a picture of a penguin or whale. Otherwise, stay tuned for a long post in January.

I wish all of you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the New Year. Stay safe and warm. Can’t wait to see everyone in 2019.

Israel – the other bits

I am so far behind in my posts. Israel was so amazing I had no time or energy to deal with pictures and posting. So, pictures won’t have that much description.

After Jeruselem, we traveled to the West Bank. If you didn’t know, Bethlehem is in the West Bank. We also visited a Palestinian refugee camp and heard about the politics from the Palestinian perspective (the previous evening we had a lecture with a rabbi).

The key symbolizes the homes the regugees left behind.

Joe was happy to be back in his homeland.

After the West Bank, we continued on to Masada. Truly an amazing Roman Fortress. The picutres didn’t look like much when I tranfered them, but this barraks shot can give you an idea of the site. Definately worth a visit.

After an AMAZING 8 days in Israel, we crossed the border in to Jordan.

Oh Jeruselem!

Jeruselem is a feast of senses and emotions. All the things you learned about in school (and any religious study) now stand in front of you. This city of faith and geopolitics is alive, beautiful, and if I may add, a bit filthy.

I spent the first day walking around before my tour started. I didn’t have much time as I promised the hotel I would be back by 2pm to change rooms (complicated story here). I found myself at the Jaffa Gate and then at the Tower of David (aka The Citadel). What an amazing introduction to Jeruselem.

The view from the top of the tower was even more stunning.

The Dome of the Rock built upon the Temple Mount. One of the most photographed, and beautiful buildings in the world.

Day two the tour began. It all seems like somewhat of a blur now…all the things you see, hear and feel. Three major faiths consider this city holy and you see them all living and praying here. Walking through the old city is a bit overwhelming…a mix of shopkeepers, religious pilgrims and secular tourists like us.

Path of Sorros – the path that Chirst took on his way to the crucifixion. Pilgrims walk this street while chanting and singing.

Western Wall or Wailing Wall. Such an incredible expression of faith.

Entering the Holy Seplecur Church is an excercise in patience. So many people queuing up to touch things they believe Christ touched. Since the church was so croweded, one of the guys on my tour, Vladimir, and I got up at 3 am the next day to see the church at dawn. We left the hotel at 3:30 am and armed with nothing but Google Maps, we somehow found the chukrch. Actually, if it weren’t for two muslim ladies who pointed us in the right direction, we might still be wandering. It was worth it.

Entrance to the Holy Seplecur Church at about 4:05am

Sitting on the steps in the Church of the Holy Seplecur

After spending an hour or so in the Church, Vlad and I got a taxi up to the Mount of Olives to view Jeruselem illuminated at night before the sun rose. Again, totally worth it.

After a couple of days in the Holy City, we had our introduction in to the politics. That’s another post. I will let you enjoy these photos first.

Before I sign off, I would like to tell you that WordPress changed the software for blogs. The new one is terrible, AND, they have removed the spell check. UGH!