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Israel 2023

March 2023
A 15-day adventure by Hope Read more
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  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    1
    Day 7

    Petra

    March 9, 2023 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

    Petra!!! It felt like allot of desert trekking and driving to get the culmination of this point!
    This was a bit overcrowded, but it's clear why as it is stunning to see in real life. I've seen pictures, but if course, they never do it justice! The canyon to get there is amazing, and then to see how massive the carvings are is so neat. Also, apparently, the Bedouins lived in these cave for 35 years as recent as the 1980s. Some are actually still lived in now!
    They were very nice people but also really wanted our Jordanian dinars 😅
    Talia enjoyed a horse ride, and Jesse enjoyed (or didn't enjoy) haggling the 1000 percent higher price AFTER the horse ride was over 😂
    I met Ximena and we talked about many spiritual things - I am hoping to stay in touch with her!
    Here is my scenic photo dump again 🤗    Read more

  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    1
    Day 8

    Travel to Jerusalem, Shabbat & Old City

    March 10, 2023 in Israel

    Friday we only had scheduled to be in Jerusalem for the Shabbat meal that evening so the day was time to travel and spontaneously explore. We were so close to the dead sea and it was such a beautiful day so we had to go to explore a little of that. Awesome colors and lots of salt!! Hoping to get some float time next week!
    While we were there Jesse found some fellow off road enthusiasts and the conversing turned to spiritual things. I don't have his name but he heard the gospel - pray for him!
    We arrived in Jerusalem and walked to Shabbat about 20 minute walk. It was so interesting to see the many orthodox Jews all dressed in their best going to their gathering for the Shabbat meal. No cars on the roads but lots and lots of people walking on the streets! Since phones are electronic (forbidden usage on shabbat) there were no pictures of the meal but WOW what an experience! For me it brought to light what Paul was expressing in the letter to the Corinthians of 'eat before you come to break bread'... they were trying to make it a special memory/ worship type meal but it was extremely chaotic and the man of the house even confessed he was tired from having to do this weekly. He needed excitement from the visitors because he didn't have the excitement from being tired having to host such a meal weekly. There was about 75 people squished in a small space.
    The next morning we started the old city walk... trying to take in as many key locations as possible and walking circles in the process. Another really memorable experience with so many cultures and religions in such close proximity. So much to be said about the time there.... but tired now so will try to post more tomorrow :)    Read more

  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    Day 10

    The Real Old City

    March 12, 2023 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Today we went outside the known old city gates to visit the newer discovered and less commercialized city of David. This includes the tunnel Hezekiah dug to keep the water in the city and the pool of siloam which is thought to be where Jesus sent the blind man to wash.
    Hezekiahs tunnel was a really neat experience- it would be terrible for someone that has a hard time in small spaces! It's truly a miracle that the two groups were able to dig such a long small tunnel and meet in the middle. It would've been impossible without God!
    Talia is official over 100 cats spotted!    Read more

  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    Day 11

    Masada and Dead Sea

    March 13, 2023 in Israel ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Masada has some amazing history for Israel. While Jesse trekked up the mountain to get the 'full experience', Talia and I took the cable car for a different ascent experience 😅 It was amazing to see the structures built on the top of this huge huge mountain. The fortress was amazing, but Herods palace was even harder to believe that he would have that built by hand in that location. Seriously crazy.
    After exploring the mountain top, we all hike down the snake trail (because you have to zig zag down the mountain as it's too steep otherwise).
    Then we went to the dead sea and FLOATED on the water without floaties!!! I knew it would be an experience but it was even more floatier than I expected! So so neat!    Read more

  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    2
    Day 12

    Three Museums

    March 14, 2023 in Palestine ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Today was a rainy day - we experienced a possible quarter of the deserts' annual rainfall 😅.... would've preferred sun, but it was neat to see the waterfalls that come pouring off the huge cliffs on our drive. And for ND folk 65 and rainy calls for a swim. 😂 Talia enjoyed the whole pool to herself!
    Next, we headed to Qumran, the location where the dead sea scrolls were found (and where we were determined to find the rest of the temple treasures 🧐). It was really neat to see and learn more about it, but the paths leading to the caves were blocked off due to flash flooding.
    We stopped for lunch at the lowest point on earth and drove thru a major downpour.
    Then we got to the holocaust memorial. Everything has to be reserved ahead of time, and since this wasn't originally in our plans today, the reservations were full, but we still got to explore and walk the outdoor gardens with sculptures.
    Last we spent a couple hours going thru the huge Israel Museum. Really fun and interesting modern art and loads of old archeological findings full of history. It's a huge place that we could've spent more time, but feet get tired and we had a2 hour drive to Tiberias where we are staying the next two nights and exploring the Sea of Galilee 😃    Read more

  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    Day 13

    Capernaum & Golan Heights

    March 15, 2023 in Syria ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    It was a rainy day, and the plans to walk the Sea of Galilee, rent a boat, and see other places where Jesus likely walked and performed miracles was thwarted by endless cycles of heavy rain. But even as we tried getting near the places that were said to be these significant points in our Lord's life, there were fees and elaborated buildings built on the sites, which makes it feel very un-authentic. The rain was a blessing as it pushed us out of focusing on what man has set up as some type of shrine to seeing more of Israel's history and meeting people in their environments and learn more about the culture here and think about why Jesus decided to come to live in Capernaum.
    We ventured up to Golan Heights because I was in search of an olive product producer 🫒🤤 As we drove there we saw many tanks and mine fields which peaked Jesse's curiosity and interest! After stocking up in olive product we went to the Valley of Tears - the largest tank battle in history. We got to climb on tanks left for a memorial and explore the trenches still there. I believe this was a miracle - the odds were so extremely against Israel but they came out ahead.
    It started heavily raining again so we went to eat at a really interesting resort where someone did massive metal work. We also learned of a local hot spot.... literally hot! Natural hot springs!! Such a welcome warm on a rainy day!!
    Then we went back down to Capernaum and got to sit and imagine Jesus meeting the fishermen and saying 'follow me' and they, dropping everything, and following Him!    Read more

  • TravelerIsrael 2023
    Day 14

    Final Day and Goodbye

    March 16, 2023 in Israel

    For our final day, the rains finally subsided, and we were able to revisit the old fishing village we couldn't get to yesterday. It was overpopulated with tourists, of course, but still neat to see and remember Jesus words when Capernaum decided they wanted nothing to do with their Messiah. We tried taking a different trail to walk along the sea of Galilee and ended up at an old (but still used) church with immaculately cared for grounds and birds. It was so beautiful and peaceful!
    Talia was able to fill her bucket list item of finding wild parrots!! She was overjoyed!
    Next, we went to fulfill Jesse's bucket list item - to swim in the Jordan! The Jordan River is where Jesus was baptized but, of course, we chose not to go to the actual site where they claim Jesus was baptized and went to the riverside in all the dirt, mud and random non-religious people walking and canoeing by. As I think back, this is probably similar to how Jesus saw it. Imagine seeing the heavens opening up in that place!!!
    Next, we made our way to Tel Aviv. We tried to stop and see the ruins of Ceserea, but it was closed.... next time, maybe :)
    We went straight for the beach to see the Mediterranean up close and enjoy a sunset experience. It was a very busy beach with surfers and beach walkers.
    The next morning, we boarded our flight for home!
    Overall - I'm so thrilled for all we saw, learned, and experienced, but I could've spent at least a week or a month in each location to really take it in and understand more about the biblical implications of this place. I can't wait to come back to Israel 🇮🇱    Read more

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