Israel Day 6 – Traveling South

This day we packed and left our kibbutz to travel south down the Jordan Valley. We drove through Tzemach Junction, Degania Alef, and then stopped at the Kinneret Cemetary. We visited the grave of Rachel (last name not on the tombstone because she is so well known). Rachel is a poet who lived 1890-1931. Shlomo read her poetry, and we took our last look at the Sea of Galilee before heading south.

We stopped at Bet She’an. This is the most impressive archeological site we visited. The ruins are immense. We started by looking at the map of the city. Then we walked on the Cardo, “Palladius Street,” a 500 foot long colonnaded street. On the upper side there were mosaics left from the shops that were once there. The lower side was the Agora, a concourse surrounded by porticoes in the center of the city. Beyond this we visited the bath house with its pools and public lavatories. We also saw the Theater built about the time of Jesus. This is a 7,000 seat theater with three levels. (1 Samuel 31:8-13)

After Bet She’an we traveled south to the foot of Mt. Gilboa where there are springs. We swam at Sachni, a series of natural pools fed by hot springs There are at least three pools to swim in. We swam the Middle and upper pool. In the upper pool there is a cave at the top end where people can gather out of the sun. When we were swimming we spotted three men (later joined by a fourth) in the late 50’s or early 60’s who were arguing about whether breakfast was kosher. They weighed the options and foods and service. At times they got animated and loud (which was amplified by the cave). Chelsea & I decided that this is what must have occurred in meetings of the Sanhedrin.

Following our swim we headed south. The landscape became more and more barren. There were date farms and other farms with crops that do well in arid conditions. At times there was only sand as we traveled. We drove by Jericho, and then began a climb up to Jerusalem. Along the way we saw Bedouin villages. Some had sheep, a few camels and donkeys were to be seen. The Bedouins built their villages out of scrap materials.

At the top of the mountain (we climbed about 4000’) we began seeing apartments. The Bus driver began to play "The Holy City." Then we went through a tunnel (under Mt. Scopus), and when we came out we saw the walled city of Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock. We took pictures, and continued to travel to Bethlehem.

After crossing the border, we traveled through Bethlehem to lunch. Following lunch, we visited the Church of Nativity. This church was built in AD 333. We were able to see the entrance of the church, the pillars, some of the flooring which has been restored, however, just when we were next in line to enter the area with the nativity we were told a mass would be starting. Rather than waiting an hour we left.
We went to a shop in Bethlehem to look at souvenirs. They did not have anything I was looking for, so I went outside. There were Palestinian “merchants” outside with cheaper goods. I did purchase some postcards from one of these “merchants.” When Chelsea joined me, one of the men noticed her. He saw her beauty, and offered me 15 camels for her. I put him off. He came up to 25 camels. I told him I was not interested. Finally he offered 45 camels, which I was told was a very good price.
Upon leaving Bethlehem, we departed for our motel in Jerusalem. We checked in, at dinner, and went with part of the group on an optional walk. We were only a few blocks from the Damascus Gate of the walled city, and entered there on the north, and walked to the south side of the city to visit the Western Wall. It was packed with ultra-orthodox Jews, celebrating the evening of Sabbath. I went in to pray also, as did Chelsea and Sarah. It was a great experience.