Trifter

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Open any paper on any given day and you will find some article or news item on Israel and the turmoil surrounding this little country.  Many people have told me that they would be terrified to visit this area of the world and spoke of bombings, shootings and terrorism.  Frankly, that sounds like good old US of A and any other country in this large sphere we call Earth.  I couldn’t wait to visit the land where Jesus walked and it was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Leaving late from Newark, NJ was a smart move on the part of our travel agent.  We slept a good portion of the flight and found when awake it was best to move about the cabin often.   I envied the passengers in the front row of the general seating, at first.  After many hours on the flight, the realization that the potties were beginning to send forth an interesting odor made me appreciate being mid plane, even if my legs were somewhat cramped.

Landing in Tel Aviv, we were met by our tour guide and bus.  We drove an hour or so to a Kibbutz hotel bordering the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias.  The next morning our walk out to the sea was so refreshing it seemed like we hadn’t spent the greater part of the day before in the air.  Curious creatures were sunbathing themselves all over the rocks near the sea.  Our tour guide called them rocky rabbits, but I’m not sure that he wasn’t pulling my leg!  I found it just as interesting that there were distinct signs indicating male and female areas of the beach with metal fences between the two.

In this country, the mountains literally fall into the seas.  Gorgeous and breathtaking views from so many spots, included the Mount of Olives and the Mount of Beatitudes.  The only set back to the amazing scenes was the huge amount of traffic, both buses and other tourists all vying to see the same views at the same time.  Fortunately our tour guide was very good at his job and often had us up early in the morning in order to beat the heaviest crowds.

The ruins at Capernaum were awesome.  We saw where Peter’s mother-in-law hosted Jesus when He taught in that part of the country, and where she was later healed by the Teacher.  From there we went to another section of the Sea of Galilee and boarded a wooden ship.  The smile never left my face on that trip; what the disciples must have felt as they fished along side Jesus.

Our tour bus flew by olive trees that lined the roads and palm trees that were an astounding size.  Seeing camels and sheep sharing a hill and water source in this desert country, interspersed with makeshift dwellings in the middle of “nowhere” while fancy cars sat outside the same makeshift dwellings, brought quick laughter to us on many occasions.

It is astounding to see ancient history butt up against the commerce of the cities.  A shop that sold steak sandwiches in the City of Cana was just a few doors from the site of Jesus’ miracle of wine at the wedding feast.  The humor was not lost on our group.

Masada, a visit that took the better portion of a day, made us tremble when we heard the history of the fortress on the rock.  Using a lift, we were transported from ground level to this fearsome jutting Goliath.  Having the guide explain to us how the men of the fortress chose to kill their own families and then draw lots to see which man would have to be the last executioner of all rather than allow themselves to be taken captive by the Romans, took our breath away.

On to the Dead Sea.  What an amazing place.  Float, float and float some more and if you try to dive, you’ll ne’er see the shore!  OK, my poetry leaves a lot to be desired, but the outcome is the same.  You can float in this body of water, filled with minerals but if you try to get up too quickly, you may find yourself face down and that’s truly unpleasant. 

Nazareth, a small city that had huge smells near the site that it is thought was Jesus’ childhood home.  Jerusalem, an amazing city where old culture meets the new and Jews, Muslims and Aramaic’s share the old city to sell their wares.  I don’t recommend any fresh food purchases here. 

Bethlehem was an interesting day trip.  On our Jewish tour bus, with Jewish guide and driver we sped from Jerusalem to the Muslim-occupied city.  Our bus backed into an area, another bus pulled up to it and we literally got onto another bus with a Christian-Arab tour guide and driver.  This city that held the supposed site of Jesus’ birth was highly anticipated, but somewhat disappointing.  An ornate church has been built over what might have been the stable.  But from there we went to the spot believed to be where the shepherds were heralded by the angels, telling of the birth of Jesus.  At night this is a truly beautiful setting, dark with just a few stars.  It was easy to see the simplicity and beauty of the area.

A baptism in the Jordan was a crazy movement of cameras for someone that was not being baptised.  Having been baptised at the age of 16 in Lancaster, PA, I decided to be the designated camera shooter.  Never mind that professional photographer waiting to take a pic and charge for services, that’s what friends are for.  I managed not to drop a camera in the water and get mostly everyone’s picture that asked.

The Western Wall, a.k.a., Wailing Wall, what a complex area.  Men on one side, women on the other.  We were privileged to see a ceremony for a male child who was having his first haircut and watch as the women tossed candy to him from the female side, calling to him in joyous “bird-like” sounds.  There is no good way to explain the sounds other than that.

A walk to the Garden of Gethsemane filled with trees that have been carbon-dated to the time of Christ sent tears down my cheeks.  To stand quietly in that area for a few short moments, close my eyes and allow the presence of Almighty God to wash over me…

Present day restaurants and sandwich shops lined up next to historical landmarks, with soldiers carrying semi-automatics patrolling streets and byways.  Did I feel safe?  Yes, more so than in the streets of my own hometown.  Would I visit again?  In a heart beat.  One more time to stand in the area of the Garden Tomb.  To bend my head to move inside the small area where the body of Jesus was laid to rest only to be resurrected a few short breaths later.  There is a sense of awe in this spot that is not man made.  This was one of the most beautiful and preserved spots on our trip itinerary.  It is largely supported by donations and the English keep it as natural as possible.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect trip.