• Sharon and Grant Macauley
Oct – Nov 2019

Africa

A 54-day adventure by Sharon and Grant Macauley Read more
  • Gethsemane, Refugees, & Jesus birthplace

    November 20, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We stopped at the Garden of Gethsemane, viewing the 2000+ years olive trees and church beside it. Then into Zone C to a refugee camp that was created 2 generations ago when some Palestinians were removed from Israel. They are very entrenched in their anger, bitterness and resentment, and see no other way forward except for being given their land back and financially compensated for the wrongs incurred. It was sad. Then we drove further into Bethlehem and waited in line for nearly two hours to see the cave or stable where Jesus was born, which was not spectacular. The bus dropped some people off at the museum but we got dropped off and walked 25 minutes to a local Jewish market which had a big variety of foods and clothing etc. that was a lot of fun.Read more

  • Inside Old City of Jerusalem

    November 21, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Our group left the hotel at 8am and walked around inside the walled city. We spent 4 hours visiting the Muslim Temple (outside only), and the 14 stops along the path of Jesus journey, death and resurrection. There were so many people! Then the guided part of our day finished, so we went back to the Western, or Wailing Wall which our tour had rushed by before. There were many Bar Mitzvahs and we stood with a group of women who were watching their 13 year old son and grandson; only males are allowed on the left 2/3 of the wall. It was very interesting; the women spoke some English, and shared some of the sweets that the grandma had baked. After our “farewell dinner” with out G-adventures group, we walked up to the Light Show at King David’s Temple which was amazing and far, far exceeded our expectations.Read more

  • Jerusalem by Ourselves

    November 21, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    I am including the photos from the light show last night; there were a whole series of images of the history of the castle projected onto the interior of the castle walls. It was absolutely spectacular! We spent a couple of hours this afternoon at the Jewish Market, about a half hour walk from our hotel. We think that the vendors were all Jewish, selling food, fresh produce, clothing and household supplies. Most of the people buying were Jews, wearing a range of clothing from regular western clothing, to men wearing a kipper, to full Orthodox Jews, and everything in between, including some tourists like ourselves. They closed at 3pm, in order to be home by sunset. Grant sat and had a couple of beer while people watching, Sharon wandered around. We relaxed in our hotel room the rest of the afternoon and evening , and will catch an 12:45am shuttle to the airport to fly home tomorrow.Read more

  • Home!

    November 22, 2019 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Photos from the market! Got a bit of sleep, then up at 12:30am, flight at 5:15am from Tel Aviv. Really, really, really long day; Don picked us up at the airport at 6pm; 9 hours time change. We’re headed to bed! It’s nice to be away but it’s also nice to get home! We’re thankful to live in Canada and to have a nice home, bed, friends and family to come back to at the end of each adventure.Read more

    Trip end
    November 23, 2019