Blogs from Israel, Middle East - page 182

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Middle East » Israel » West Bank January 25th 2006

After my trip to Bethlehem, I spent a few days in Jerusalem before returning to Amman, Jordan. The word "Jerusalem" means "city of peace," a place where people of many faiths can coexist peacefully. Unfortunately, Jerusalem has often been anything but a city of peace throughout the ages, with Jews, Muslims, and Christians each claiming it as their own. The Old City Jerusalem is split into East and West: West Jerusalem is Israeli. East Jerusalem is Palestinian. Between the two is the Old City, a fascinating mix of cultures and religions. The Old City contains four quarters: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian. To make broad generalizations, the Christian and Armenian quarters are quiet, relaxed, and filled with churches. The Muslim quarter is the liveliest by far, containing numerous souqs (markets). The Jewish quarter is full of ... read more

Middle East » Israel » South District January 25th 2006

So much has happened since I was last in touch...time has flown by unbelievably quickly! After a bit of a hectic ending, the semester did come to a close, and immediately afterwards I flew out of Israel to Chicago. I had a very short, but nice visit with family and friends. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to catch up with everyone. I am now back in Israel, but the second semester of school doesn't begin until the middle of February. Until then, our group is learning and volunteering on a Kibbutz in the Southern Arava Desert. The Kibbutz is called Kibbutz Lotan. This is a fantastic place. It's mission statement is to be a source for Reform Zionist Eco-friendly living. The people are friendly, interesting, and they love what they do. The scenary ... read more

Middle East » Israel » South District » Eilat January 20th 2006

Israel, here I come! After 2 hours of scanning and checking the luggage I was finally there. Yifat and here friend Maya were waiting for me. We stuffed all my things into the car and drove directly to the beach. I thought that meant a relaxing afternoon sunbathing or just looking the sunset. But it was a party, a great party though. My first impression of Israel in its real image. Young, old, girls, boys, kids, students, grannies… everyone were singing, dancing, drinking, eating (in Israel you always get small pretzels and olives with your drink), talking, they were all enjoying themselves. Well, we were all enjoying. That’s how Israel is. Full of great positive energy, there is no sign of boredom, no sign of monotony. It’s work (most of them have 2 or 3 jobs), ... read more
Eilat
Eilat
Eilat

Middle East » Israel » Haifa District » Haifa January 9th 2006

Well, EVERYBODY woke up late today. We ate cake and oranges for breakfast, and putzed around for most of the morning. The kids worked on an "always 15" math puzzle for a while, then eventually figured out how to work the TV, and watched Nickelodeon with Hebrew subtitles. Around Noon, we all drove north to Rosh Hanikra, right at the border with Lebanon. There are amazing white cliffs with a great view down the coast--we could see all the way back to Haifa. After taking in the the view, we took the cable car down to the park area. As with most places in Israel, it has a checkered past, but it is currently a national park, with a protected breeding ground for green sea turtles, and a nice tourism area. The sea has worn away ... read more
At the border of Lebanon
The cable car
Jim and Sammi

Middle East » Israel » West Bank January 5th 2006

Going to Bethlehem for Christmas has been one of my goals for some time now. And after having made it to Jerusalem on December 23rd, that goal was now tantalizingly within reach... In search of a procession I had hoped to join an official procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (according to my guidebook, one happened every year on December 24th). Due to the Israeli checkpoint and other problems though, the only kind of procession happening this year, according to the helpful and eminently patient Sister at the Christian Information Centre, was leaving at midnight from the Austrian Hospice. In other words, with a bunch of German-speaking people. My German isn't that great, so I wandered over to the Church of the Sepulchre to ponder my next move. The Church of the Sepulchre is the traditional site ... read more

Middle East » Israel » West Bank January 3rd 2006

Disclaimer from the author: Thank you for the comments and messages; I appreciate them! I should point out, however, that this trip occurred more than six years ago in late 2005. Some of the information below regarding border formalities, etc. may not reflect the current situation. Though Amman, Jordan is about 45 miles from Jerusalem as the crow flies, and would normally only be an hour-long bus ride on a highway, this ignores the fact that between the two cities lies one of the most disputed pieces of land in the world. Consequently, getting from Amman to Jerusalem can be a time-consuming and patience-testing process. Crossing Jordan The first step was to get out of Amman, and this was easily accomplished by catching a bus at Abdali station that went to the Jordanian side of the ... read more

Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv January 3rd 2006

Oy, are we behind! Tuesday was busy and stunning. We left Nof Ginosar, a hotel/resort at Kibbutz Ginosar on the Kinneret or Sea of Galilee. It was somewhat painful to leave that area, because it was BEAUTIFUL! Lots of flora and fauna, stunning views, etc. The big tourist attraction for the kibbutz is an ancient boat (I think from the time of Jesus) which was uncovered as the water level of the Kinneret decreased. They spent 12 years preserving the wood of this boat, and now it is on display in a tourist center. I did not see it, but Jim went. There is a picture at http://www.biblenetworknews.com/europe_middleeast/042005_israel.html. So, after a huge breakfast spread (I should have taken pictures of the hotel breakfasts here--it is always an ENORMOUS buffet including everything from fresh veggies and cheese ... read more

Middle East » Israel » South District » Ein Gedi December 29th 2005

Note from Jim: We haven't put up our blog from Wednesday but here are Thursday's activities from Leigh. We now know how to get comments to be seen so you can resume sending in comments! Not sure when we'll get up-to-date. But hopefully it'l be soon. Now on to Leigh and Thursday's trip to the Dead Sea Region. Didn't wake up early enough...rushed breakfast...Jim toppled his plate onto his lap and had to change pants--it bugged him for HOURS. Masada Then we took a long bus ride to Masada, a flat-topped mount next to the Dead Sea which was originally developed as a winter palace for King Herod (a Jew whom the Romans appointed King of Judea in 37 BC/BCE), but which became a Jewish stronghold against the Romans from 70-73 AD/CE. It is a phenomenal ... read more
Sam on Masada
Sam in Bedouin Tent
Arad

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District » Jerusalem December 27th 2005

From Leigh (with some editorial comments from Jim and a brief, tired journal entry from Dan): Long day of walking. Went through the Jaffa gate, up and up to Tower of David and citadel where we could see all around the Old City and beyond. Esp. Dome of the Rock (gold dome) and al Aqsa Mosque (grey dome). Learned "aqsa" means "edge" because it is at the southern edge of the temple mount, facing Mecca and Medina. Had guided tour down through various exhibits and wandered all around the that area of the old city (large walled courtyard). There were two Chihuly (sp?) glass pieces there lending an unexpected connectedness for us to Atlanta and Santa Fe. Next we went through security to go to the Western Wall. I went up and touched the stone and ... read more
Chihuly flowers in the tower
The Domes
Sam and Leigh

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District » Jerusalem December 26th 2005

Sorry for the delay...just now got internet access. Oh, those of you who posted comments...they haven't appeared but for some reason I know they're there. Probably the best way to contact us is to send us an email via the contact The Windos button. We took Lufthansa from Atlanta to Frankfurt. Rabbi Analia of Chabad went around the plane with our battery powered hannukiah and led groups of congregants in chanting the brachot (prayers) for the lighting of the first night candles. As soon as dinner arrived, I took my ambien and went to sleep. The rest of the family slept fitfully. I drooled. Once in Frankfurt we changed planes for a short 3 hour trip to Tel Aviv. I cried when we landed and then later when the customs agent asked whether it was our ... read more
The Kids on the Plane
The coast of Israel from the air
Sam meets Mrs. Blecher




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