One side wants Peace, the other wants Justice

During our visit, we met genuine, authentic, real people on both sides of the Jordan River. We learned about their every day activities, goals and struggles. But most of all we heard alot about their hope for the future. That one day, this too shall pass. That all will work out. We leave you with these two photos ....

Masada

Did I mention our visit to Masada? This was a skyrise, mile high retreat built by King Harod, a Roman-file, in the middle of the desert, by the Dead Sea. Took alot of effort to get there, build it and overtake it, but it was sure worth it. It has served both as a refuge and a fortress.

Harod insisted on the finest things of that time ... from luxurious pools, steam baths and palacial buildings decorated with the latest paintings. One can still can see the designs and wall patterns artfully created over 2,000 years ago! Take a look.

Mark and Marilyn

Mark and Marilyn are two wonderful people who opened their hearts and calendar to us during our time in Israel. How they squeezed a week out of four days still surprises us. We experienced things that few visitors get the chance to. Had it not been for the Rotary International Travel and Hosting Fellowship, we would have gotten to know them, never had the chance to stay at a girls school in Jerusalem or experience a kibbutz, traverse the Golan Heights, wake up to the gentle ripples of the Sea of Galillee (Lake Kenneret), or meet other Rotarians from around the world, including a Group Study Exchange team from India.

Mark and Marilyn deserve not one but two gold stars for having survived our driving, listened to our singing in our rental van, and having shown great patience for all the photos we tried to take in order to capture the moment!! Muchisimas gracias!!

Cute and Huge

My travel buddies, how wonderful they are (my sister, aunt and father) are reading these posts making sure that the essence of our trip is shared with everyone. Here are a few things they'd like to add:

1. Accents can make a difference when communicating with others. For example: You're cute" can be mistaken for "Your huge". Not exactly what one would like to hear.
2. Water is a necessity, especially when traveling in the desert. Almost makes one see an oasis mirage at every hilltop especially if you travel without a liter or two.
3. Yah-lah means "shuffle your butt" saying it nicely. In other words, you can fill in the blank, if you get our meaning. Anyway, our tour guide kept on saying that to us ... hmmmm.

Taking Our Breath Away

Today marks our last day in Jordan. We did the northern route of the country, starting with Jerash and its amazing archeaological ruins. Hadrian had a gate built in honor of his visit to the city (Gerasa) nearly 2,000 years ago. The Romans had a hipprodome built and we even saw actors who are involved with a re-enactment of a chariot race with gladiators and chariot riders. The cardo collonade and the temple for Artimedes are both amazing sites to see. We were surprised to see wood used in an hand-turned olive press from the ancient times. Guess that dry climates do preserve better than man-made chemicals.

The close of our formal tour day was in Umm Quais. A Greek city in the north, just a stones throw from the sea of Galillee. Typical basalt rock were used to create beautiful columns to the gods from long ago. I will HAVE to post a pic from there. The view of four countries (Jordan, Isreal, Syria and Lebanon) can do nothing but to take your breath away!

Unfortunately, we leave tomorrow morning. Hasta pronto, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordania! We love your people!

Oh Jerusalem

The City. That is what so many call you. For three religions it is the holy city where so many faithful come to see and pray. Our time was way too short (basically a day and a half). We stayed across the street from the Damascus Gate, so very busy with commerce. We walked through the souk and saw so many things. From the 12 stations along the via dolorosa, to the last remaining wall of Solomon's temple. Oh Jerusalem, what a city you are!

Following Jesus' Footsteps (Part 2)

We visited the mount of the beatitudes (where Jesus spake), the mount of the transfiguration (where his divine nature shown through), to the sacrificial mount where He died for all of us. To see the stones where he tread and touched should have made me feel more connected to his time on earth. What it did was to remind me that Christ came to be in relationship with me: to be my comforter, to be my guide, to be the water of life and to be my salvation.

Tracing the steps of Jesus (Part 1)

We've been in Israel for the past three nights. How much can one cram into 24 hours? As much as is humanly possible! First things first, we arrived into Jerusalem after a short wait getting our passports inspected. After a very pleasant ride in a local shuttle bus/taxi, we arrived less than 1.5 blocks from where we stayed -- across the Damascus Gate! To imagine what this gate is like, think of a small channel or walkway overflowing with humanity and items for sale and then multiply it by 7!! That is the Damascus Gate on a Saturday evening.

We left the next morning for the Dead Sea area -- although we didn't hike up to Masada, it sure felt like we did when we walked around the compound area in the heat of the day. That King Harod sure liked his luxuries -- cold pools, tepid pools, hot pools and steam baths -- sky high in the middle of the desert. Its amazing, very little grows up there, except in oasises. Then, you find green lushness in abundance. Its really a contrast. Our day of sightseeing in the area closed with a short dip in the Dead Sea. One really does float! Our mud bath and saline rinse does wonders for the body! All the aches and pains of the body float away just like in the commercials. We all agreed that we needed to visit at least once a week as part of our weekly regime. How nice would that be?

Today, we were up in the Sea of Galillee area. We drove all around it, saw and read where so many foundation stones of our faith happend. From the eastern side where the demons were cast into swine, to the west side where thousands of people were fed from 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. The most amazing place was the mountain side slightly northwest of the sea, where the beatitudes were shared with us. One of my favorite being: "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the earth. / You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. "

Our journey holds the remaining pinnacle sites back to the old city -- Jerusalem where we'll have a chance to remember the names of the innocents and the righteous among the nations. We'll close our day by tracing the footsteps of Jesus: Transfiguration Mount, the Via Dolorosa and the Garden Tomb.

Passport Control and Border Crossings

Its Saturday morning, we've just had breakfast now we're off to Israel. Our ride has arrived to take us to the border and then, our adventure on the other side of the River Jordan begins! Did I tell you I sprained my ankle in Petra? Looks like a baseball is substituting as my ankle. Fun. Guess I'll have to settle for a relaxing day at the beach at the Dead Sea. Everyone claims it has healing properties ... let the healing begin!

The Bride Wore Green

We left Petra early this morning, and drove to Madaba where there is this beautiful mosaic map of the holy land back from the Byzantine era. Simply beautiful. So much work and it has lasted. But the real reason for our entire trip was the wedding! We are between the church ceremony and reception.

Things started at the bride's home, with champagne toasts and pistachio treats. The bride was stunning in her beautiful dress. It was white with a sheer green overlay design of the same flowers as in her bouquet. The brides' sister was her maid of honor along with four flower girls and boys. The handsome groom waited in the front with a huge smile on his face alongside his best man (friend from home). Everyone looked so happy, especially the mothers of the bride and groom. I was one row back and saw them clearing their tears as they were pronouced man and wife. I am so happy for both of them as they are two kind hearted people who deserve only the very best!