Day 4 and 5

Argh! I was wondering why I was not getting any comments. When I went to post Day 5, I noticed that Day 4 never posted and was pretty much deleted. Double Argh!!!

So I redid Day 4 and am posting it and Day 5 together on Oy Vey-cation! Too, so sorry for the delay in posting but time is so limited and the Internet is so darn expensive.

Well today started with us cruising on the Sea of Gallilee on this boat that was just like those in Jesus' day. Put you in a neat frame of mind.

That is until you hit your head on a board hanging over the dock. Idiot me, getting onto the dock while looking down at my camera I hit my head. Wow! Haven't seen that many stars since I was in Lake Powell with Gregg and Debi.

Gallilee is where Jesus did almost all of his teaching while on earth. Picked his disciples here, walked on water, fed thousands with a few fish and bread etc. The guide said that Jesus only spent about 4 months of his life on earth elsewhere. I haven't checked that out yet but the area here in Gallilee is only about 20 sq miles.

In this picture you see where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount. It is the yellow hill in the foreground. Mt Carmel is the long range in the background. We learned that it is not a specific mountain. This is where Elijah defeated the Ba'al worshippers there and where Elisha showed his attendant the angelic forces that were on their side.

Recently they unearthed a boat dating back to Jesus' time almost completely intact. Wish I could say something funny about that but nothing comes to mind.

Then we actually got to step into the Sea of Gallilee. Pretty cool!

I felt Inger needed to be baptized again and she was willing so that's what we did. Hehe!

Here are some sisters that were part of our BSB (Back Seat Bunch). I have been kinda looking out for a few of us sitting in the back of the bus. These two sisters and a couple of Filipina sisters and Inger. Someone said that they were the Back Seat Bunch and the name stuck.

These were the other two sisters in BSB.

 

Saw an Amish girl and her husband? here too so had to take their picture. I got a look from them like I captured their souls in my camera so they quickly moved away. I offered to sell 'em back, but they weren't buying.

In Capernaum we saw Peter's house (or so the church thinks). The Catholics built a church just a few feet over it. And not to be outdone a huge synagogue was built right on top of the old one. Notice in the picture above the different colored stones showing the different synogogues. Below is an inside look at the synagogue.

Ever heard ofthe Jordan River? Take a look below. Doesn't this location look exactly like the ones we've seen in our lit? Supposedly this would have been the most likely spot for John to baptize Jesus.

I just had to wade in. Pretty cool when you think about it. This is where he started it all.

A little (very little), about our bus. On our bus we had CO/DO's as well as a number of Bethelites, so it was nice to be able to sit back, relax, and follow those taking the lead. I will try to get a group picture in here sometime.

We finished our day, meeting some "friends"at their hall. Would love to go into more detail but can't. Catch me when we get back.

Silly antagonists make life very difficult for the friends here. We have even had protesters and picketers. They also take pictures of the local brothers and put their faces on posters with rude or ugly verbiage.

So, I apologize but am not able to publicly post much of anything about our 3 days in Tel Aviv. The last thing Inger and I want to do is "hinder" anything. I will put in the blog what I am able.

Thank you again for all your comments.They are all so kind and funny! We love 'em! Day 5 is coming right up.

DAY 5

I think I've gained 20 lbs on this trip! Prolly won't even recognize me. Breakfast was, again, amazing! Haven't shown you any of our rooms. Here is our view from the hotel in Tel Aviv.

These pictures do not really tell how large our room is.

But off we go to Megiddo. Megiddo is actually little more than a mound which housed 26 successive civilizations, one on top of another. We know it from all the famous battles that were fought there. But the Megiddo (or Jezreal) Valley was the most lush that we have seen so far. Notice this view from the Temple Mount, close to Megiddo.

Here is Mount Megiddo as we approached it.

Here is how they counted the different civilizations that have dwelled here. They cut a slice of pie out of the hill and simply counted.

Even the ants here were huge and had attitudes!

On Megiddo, we were able to climb down into the mound to see their water source. This water helped those who lived here survive if they were surrounded by an opposing army.

All this climbing down and there was a little pool which we hear was much bigger in the past. The picture below was taken on top of Megiddo. Hey B, you recognize anyone in this photo? Not me or Inger, the other guys!

Israel's climate and landscape reminded us much of CA. The desert here reminded us of ours back home. Their coasts, our coasts, their agriculture, ours. Their foliage consisted of plumarias, junipers, avocado, mango (yes mango), and many other trees.

A pretty scarey fish lunch was given us but as you can see below, we had no problem eating it. But again the food was amazing. Jews definitely know how to eat! Watch out Han family! We're gunning for the eating title!!!

This lunch did allow us to take this CUTE picture! We may even be cuter than Ciara! Well, maybe not, but I thought I would try. There was a cat so of course Inger had to feed it. (sigh). Btw, Israeli cats seem to love falafel.

Finally on to Caesarea. This is where I would live if they allowed houses there.

This is where the Pilate stone was found. The real one is in a museum.

The picture below complimented by Inger "Vanna White" is a Hippodrome in Caesarea where they raced chariots like in Ben Hur. It is right on the beach. Those sitting in the seats to the right watched the races as they looked out at the sea. 

Here is a better view of what I am talking about (and not just because I am in it). Hehe!

We have to make a quick getaway now.

But one last thing. This famous Aqueduct was right down the way. 

We miss you all and look forward to sharing with you Convention details when we get back.