No dawdling, as usual! Next we visited the Museum of Israel, featuring wonders like the Dead Sea Scrolls and a model of the city of Jerusalem around 60 A.D…and let’s not forget the “cultural moment” witnessed in which two loud old ladies nearly threw down with a harried security guard checking tickets.The mood was subdued as we visited the Vad Vashem Holocaust Museum, an awesome architectural structure containing a wealth of information. The reality of the pain and anguish suffered by the Jews sunk in as we gazed upon rows and rows of black binders containing names of victims. Upon exiting the exhibit, we paused for a beautiful moment of peace. Here, two Jewish boys gazed at the countryside of Israel. The stark contrast between the exhibit and the view below symbolizes the strides our world has made towards peace since WWII. We left the museum on a happy note.
Jumping on the bus (ok, limping) we headed for Bethlehem. For lunch we stopped at the Christmas Tree Restaurant that came complete with a tidal wave of vendors selling everything for “one dollar.” Brad attempted to take on the salesman’s mantle but couldn’t hack it in the end.
The Church of the Nativity held some great surprises, as we wound down narrow steps to spot commonly accepted as the birthplace of Christ. Of course to celebrate that awesome experience we needed a shopping fix, and headed to an olive wood shop (olive wood nativity sets have now outstripped legendary papyrus purchases). Making great strides in U.S.-Palestinian relations, Raymon and a few others joined the local boys playing soccer in the parking lot.
After vast amounts of money exchanged hands at the shop, we headed toward what is commonly referred to as the Mormon Shepherd’s Hill. After we got past the new housing developments, a scenic hill opened up complete with gentle terracing and olive trees.
The Church of the Nativity held some great surprises, as we wound down narrow steps to spot commonly accepted as the birthplace of Christ. Of course to celebrate that awesome experience we needed a shopping fix, and headed to an olive wood shop (olive wood nativity sets have now outstripped legendary papyrus purchases). Making great strides in U.S.-Palestinian relations, Raymon and a few others joined the local boys playing soccer in the parking lot.
After vast amounts of money exchanged hands at the shop, we headed toward what is commonly referred to as the Mormon Shepherd’s Hill. After we got past the new housing developments, a scenic hill opened up complete with gentle terracing and olive trees.
The view was fantastic, and we all sat and sang and heard scriptures in the gentle cool breeze…and at exactly the right moment a local goat herder came onto the scene with his flock!
Loading the bus again, we all witnessed something gruesome and shocking as Raymon and Tyler took to heart the beauty of the landscape and used a well-placed rocky mound to water the natural flora.
Next we were off to the Western Wall to observe the beginning of Shabbat. As the evening grew late, Orthodox Jews came pouring around us and down to the Western Wall--separated into a men’s section and a women’s section.
Next we were off to the Western Wall to observe the beginning of Shabbat. As the evening grew late, Orthodox Jews came pouring around us and down to the Western Wall--separated into a men’s section and a women’s section.
The barrier between the sections did little good as a myriad of old (and young ladies) peaked over, doing whatever they had to...even standing on chairs. We did note—for once—that the men (including our male group members) had to cover their heads instead of the women! A hungry group returned for dinner and after dinner another surreptitious visit to the local olive wood store where…well, you know the rest.
2 comments:
Happpy Bbbbbirthdddday toooo Melissa Mae, Happppy Bbbbbithddday to Melissa Mae, Happppy Bbbbirthday to Melissa Maaaaae, Happpy Bbbbbirthdddday toooooo YOUUUU! We Love you! I loved the marriage story and I am going to try it. What's a mother to do with 3 unmarried daughters! Shalom! La Hiyam! You are the best!
Post a Comment