What a WONDERFUL Experience!

This is my third time to Israel in two and half years! A lot of firsts for me in this trip and learned a lot too. A truly wonderful experience for a first time independent traveller, with no guides or group leader to depend on.  I knew we were covered in prayer tho. Thanks much, we came back alive, healthy and with a strong desire to go back again.

First lesson: how does this work, that is, the rented cell phone!! Yeah, I know I live in the 21^st C, but I like the 19^th C, ok, 20^th C. I don’t own one and saw a need to rent one, since I have 4 ladies with me on this trip. Need to call Canada to say we arrived safely, but the call is not going thru!!  Saw some text messages but this is a cell phone, not those i-something gadget!!  Finally had to solicit the hostel’s receptionist to help me.  Good thing, she had relatives in Canada and so knew the country code and showed a better way of dialling. The instructions that came with the phone didn’t help.  When I picked it up I asked to be shown how to operate it, but I didn’t do a dry run before leaving for Israel, da!  Further to my ignorance, spent so much time trying to find how to get to those text messages!! And then see there was a voice mail!! A couple of days later, a friend in Jerusalem walked me thru this phone.  I mentioned to her that how come I didn’t hear any ringing!!  Cause the phone was not switched on, daaa!  I like a land line phone, don’t have to check for low battery, or remember to switch on or off, and ..... Well, that cell phone did come in handy.

First evening in Jerusalem, we attended the night show inside the Old City at the Tower of David Museum.  It was incredibly interesting to learn the history by lights and shadows, with music. It was so cold and with such wonderful music, I couldn’t fight the sleep, nodded on and off, so missed out a lot J  Jerusalem was cold the first 2 days.  And at Mamilla Str with shops and restaurants but no cars allowed, there were these heaters!!! Couldn’t believe the open air was being heated!!! 

At Jaffa Gate, there was a Food Festival.  Ate a lot of the deep fried stuff,(sold by weight).  I can’t tell you the names, can’t remember them in Hebrew, however, main ingredient was potatoes, plus whatever, was tasty and didn’t get sick.

Volunteering with Leket. Leket staff, Natalie, picked us up in Jerusalem to Rehe’vot where we picked turnips at a farmer’s farm.  School kids around 8-9 years old were gleaning too.  It was fun interacting with them, with their curiosity of where we came from, practicing their English and me trying to learn Hebrew. What a wonderful training of youngsters to be considerate of others, especially to those in need. (BTW, I just received receipt of the money order from the fund raiser for Leket Israel’s Sandwiches for the Schoolkids.  Will send it to you soon. Once again, Thanks Much)

It was heart warming to know that a filled bin (400 kg) would feed 200 families. We visited Leket’s warehouse in Ra’anana.  From their warehouse, soup kitchens would receive what they need.  Later, in a round of visits dropping some dry foods, was at a Women’s development centre, mainly African women, where they learn skills and do some hand crafted items. At the time they crochet baskets for Ahava.  Onto a couple of apartments that housed the Dafur refugee men, where rice, spaghetti, breads, etc, would feed them for a while.  A young man, Ibrahim, a refugee himself, sought to set up shelter for them and help his countrymen start a new life in Israel. Didn’t expect to see the men in the apartments for the afternoon, but they have no money or know anyone or the language to be outside their premises.  Some were sleeping covered up head to toe, under a blanket.  These men have been traumatized in their own country! At the children’s centre we dropped 3 boxes of goodies that would keep the kids occupied, besides the snacks.  It was also used as a workshop for adults and there was a list of workshops with volunteers’ name against it.  It was a delight to see all the workshops had a volunteer to offer the course.  I was impressed with Leket, that it is an inclusive humanitarian organization, working with other NGOs and helping other peoples besides the Jews. It was a day well spent. I intend to go back and spend some days gleaning for the poor.

Matt 25:31-40 :-

    ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

School kids:- Where are you from?

Fill up the bin which carries 400 kg

Fyi, there is a Canadian registered Leket - Christian Friends of Leket -  http://cfleket.com/  where you can donate and receive the tax deductible receipt.

Another volunteer function was sifting dirt at the Temple Mount Sifting tent in Jerusalem, down in the Zurim Valley National Park. We took the bus to Mt Scopus, dropped off at the Hebrew University and find our way down the valley to the sifting tent. Mt. Scopus was a beautiful vantage point to see the Old City.  I think I have now covered all angles to see the Golden Dome at the Temple Mount. At the sifting tent, after a presentation explaining the history of Jerusalem, etc, using a hose to squirt off the dirt, we had to look for items that were glass, special stones, metal, bones, pottery, and mosaics.  I had hoped to find some 1^st temple era item, but found a 2^nd temple era fresco that the archaeologist used for show and tell J  At the end, with another presentation on our finds, we received a certificate as having “participated in the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation and took part in revealing the ancient past of Jerusalem”, inscribed with a biblical quotation from Ps 102:15 “For Your servants have cherished her stories and favoured her dust”.  Btw, it cost 15 NIS to participate.  It was worth the experience.

Zurin Valley to Temple Mount Sifting

 

                             Items from different eras

Did a lot of walking in Jerusalem.  It seemed time stood still for us!  Checking our watch we marvelled how much we covered in a short time!! Hey, that means, we can do lots. 

From the Temple Mount sifting tent, we walked towards the Old City. Since we were in close proximity to the Garden Tomb, we went looking for it. The area it was located looked like an Arab area, just by the shops’ names written in Arabic and English, is enough revelation of its residents. 

Getting first entrance to the Garden Tomb, (many sites close between 12 noon to 2pm), it was great to see the area without crowds.  While waiting for the door to open, we chatted with other pilgrims.  Wonderful fellowship and exchange of experiences. Mentioned our next itinerary after Jerusalem was the Jesus Trail, and the leader’s wife cautioned us to watch out for insect bites, with her hands over me, prayed for us (we didn’t encounter insect bites on the trail). Their guide let us go in ahead of her group, we were there first J but without appointment!!

Since I don’t like crowds, it was so wonderful walking those Old City alleyways with no hindrance.  Can see down the alley and items displayed knee high on either side!!  It was great!  So was going into those churches, a 3^rd time, but this time, I was able to roam around and see other parts that I hadn’t known existed!! At the Pool of Bethesda, beside St. Anne Church, the gate was open to see the excavated (in part) from the other side then what I had seen the first and second time I was there, which was limited.  We were able to roam the area, unhindered by crowds J and take lots of pictures with no bodies in them.  Church of Holy Sepulchre, again, able to climb upstairs where it was said Jesus was crucified.  Big difference when visiting in a guided tour, however, the guide’s commentaries would be very helpful if one did not pre-read on sites intended to be visited.

Pool of Bethesda

A day trip to the Dead Sea proved a wonderful time of relaxation, a sunny warm day too. Got to see Qumran by the road side, first time!! In previous tours, the guide didn’t point it out!! Dropped in at the Ahava factory for a shopping spree. At the Dead Sea, we got a shade by the water, ‘cause no big crowds yet J   There was ample time drying in the mud and finish off with soaking in the nice hot sulphur smelling spa, in which one floats, just like in the Dead Sea. Brought home some salt rocks I chipped off from the sea. At this location there is evidence of how much the Dead Sea has receded.  The life guard station closer to the entrance compared to the current one by the sea, is a long distance. Check the photo, I’m not good at scaling distances or anything else.  I consider the Dead Sea to be one of the earth’s wonder. When in Israel, a dip, er, float, in the Dead Sea is a must! Where else can one float and enjoy its therapeutic minerals? 

Old City vendors are very helpful. Asking “which way to...” is responded with “straight ahead, first left” or “go back and 2^nd right”. However... this day we had walked the length and breath of the Old City, included climbing up the steps, walk the alleys, go down the steps, it’s a maze! It was time to have dinner before it got dark. Earlier, along the way, we had found a restaurant which offered falafel. We decided to get back to that section where it was located. Back to climbing those steps and walking the alleys, etc, etc, down to the level that would lead us to the Kotel, which direction to take? to the left were more stores, to the right, the alley looked foreboding! Hey, why not ask which way to the Western Wall (the restaurant was close to the Wall).  This man asked his young boy to lead us, and we went back up the steps, down some alleys, up some steps, down some other steps, at a quick pace too, to the gate facing the Wall! The boy persisted my friend for more shekels (which he saw she had)! From there we knew where to go ‘cause earlier that was the way we came into the Kotel.  After dinner, we made a left turn to return to the hostel.  Less than 30 seconds later we saw the man and the boy,... at the spot I asked for directions.  Imagine my shock!! I was n o t amused. And he had the nerve to ask if we were happy with the boy’s help.  If you had prayed that my tongue be restrained in certain situations, it worked. My friend responded, kindly.

                               Entrance from M. Qtr

The Temple Institute was on the agenda for one of us, and what a surprise to come across it at one turn in the maze!  While the others went for the presentation, been in there  twice already, and didn’t want to pay 25 NIS, I decided to sit outside on the cement bench, watching people walking by.  There was this door that people opened and threw their bags in.  A few boys passed by with a shopping trolley and stroller with bags of recycle-ables, opened this door, went in, came out, closed it and went on their way. From time to time someone would come along and use it, throwing in a bag.  Even when someone does not use it, will close the door tightly and apply the latch.  Hmmm, what’s so special behind that door? What were in those bags?  A kind gentleman approached me and asked to move away, something from the roof would be coming down. A huge bag of garden waste, like cacti leaves, plants, came crashing down, some spilled out onto the street but his son picked the pieces, not all.  Well, that bag went in thru that door.  Ah! It was a trash holding room!!! No wonder the street was clean as was the rest in this part of the Old City. The kind gentleman invited me to see his roof top garden, had to turn him down, not wanting my friends be alarmed not seeing me around. A sweeper came by. He noticed tiny bits of green, looked up in the direction of where that came from (seemed he just knew) and showed disgust! I had to smile.

Last day in Jerusalem, before heading off to Nazareth. The itinerary was to walk to Gethsemane and spend some quiet time for meditation and prayer. Walked through the Old City to the Dung Gate, passed City of David, down the Kidron valley to Mt. Olives. Never been down this part before!  Got to see the Absalom Pillar and some tombs beside it.  While waiting for the Garden of Gethsemane to open, we crossed the street to look inside a church, but it was closed as well.  We found a good spot to rest, away from traffic!! I thought we would find some olive groves where we could rest and meditate, but that area below Mt. of Olives was gated and locked!!  It was a very warm day.  After the garden visit, head back via Lion Gate to the hostel.  Outside Jaffa Gate, last chance to drink some pomegranate juice!  Didn’t have one last year, so better drink the freshly squeezed juice this time or live to regret it! Hmm, refreshing. Didn’t have any stomach upset. That speaks of the water in Israel too.  Their water is safe, I can attest.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, a safe, safe, safe city.  Loved the location of our hostel, loved the shops, loved the food, Oh yeah, halva! Ate this for the first time!!, loved the early morn walk, evening walks, day walks, bus rides, and everything in between. Can’t wait to get back!  Still have a list of some sites to visit next time.