Pics

Dome of the Rock or Temple Mount.on the top half, and the wailing wall or western wall on the bottom.  They are literally over and under.  In the foreground is the security entrance into the waing wall area.  The weird looking archway is a ramp for what I don't know.  But the wall you see is the oldest part of the old city and is where everyone goes to pray.  It is divided down the middle for women and men to pray separately.

The wall of significance is right in the middle of the pic.  You can't see the ground, but is there.

Just thought it was funny that Monday is washday everywhere.  This is in the Arab quarter near City of David .

The view from down in the city of David back up to the old city.  Very close but not inside the gate.

Some of the excavated ruins of c of D.  Home were built into the sides of the rock.  Believed to have been a very affluent neighborhood.  One reason they think this is the next pic.  It was a square stone about 3-4 feet cube and was the sit down toilet.  I always wondered about that.  Here it is

Not so comfy but I guess it worked.  Still don't know what the po'folks did.

Well I never have figured out how to move pics, so here are a few from today where I just took pics of my cell with my iPad.  Not the sharpest, but hope it helps.  Was really a good day in a wired way.  Planned to go to city of David. But then Hannah called and wanted me to go with her to Ra'anana.  I had told her last week that I would, but she didn't know when.  So I had a leisurely morn and when she got home really wanted to wait. Till tomorrow so I was back on with cityof David.  Girls both said it would not take long so I took the bus by myself.  Well I loved it and stayed longer, so decided to take the bus. Back.  Well something went wrong around the old city cause traffic was not moving at all.  Everyone where I was, was out in the street looking for a bus, no bus.  Finally after a long time, a us came.  Not the right bus, but by now we all take this bus just to get out of Arab territory.  At least that was my motivation.  That and there was a long steep hill ahead of me.  The bus was really not going my way but I love to see the city, so I just stayed on for the ride.  I could tell we were in Black at area, so just kept going.  So some unbelievably steep hills that just dropped off behind the houses and some nice places, but no yards or land of any sort.  Anyway, about 2 hours later it s getting sundown and I ave no clue where I am, so started asking for advise from driver and passengers to get back home.  It took 2 bus changes, a train ride and another bus to get hoe about 8 pm.  Never felt in danger, but would love to know where I was.  Had at least a dozen people helping this old American find her way home.  Staying near the king David hotel is a good landmark

Out on my own

Until I got to Israel I was on my own, but Ruthie and Hannah have been showing me everything, and no alone trips till yesterday.  I did good ,yesterday, today, not so good.  Did a ton of walking.  Did the Old City again.  Did a walking tour of King David's Tower.  Very informative and very beautiful, and 7,463,836 stairs.  All going up.  Great views of all of Jerusalem, old and new from there.  Covered all the history and it does make a little more sense why Israel stays in the line of fire all the time.  Points of trade were Babylon. Damascus and Cairo.  Going Cairo to Babylon east west or west east would have been through the desert.  Couldn't be done.  So they stayed on the better path through Damascus putting Israel right in the eat of the tris.  With a lot of traffic came a lot of people who to start a fight and try to take their land.  It has been taken and taken and destroyed and rebuilt till. No wonder everyone thinks it belongs to them.  And no wonder there are 2 burial paces for Ary, mother of Jesus, 2 places where Jesus was crucified, and buried and resurrected, and now I'm finding 2 upper rooms.  None of that really matters where, just that it happened.

Today I went back to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  Not such a crowd since the holiday i s over.

The first place is to bend way over and touch the outside of the tomb where they say Jesus was laid to rest.  Then you. Go into the tomb, and can touch it so not sure why you would want to touch the outside, but I did.  In that tiny room you could also buy any quantity of candles to lite later.  In the 2nd room there is an ante room then the chamber with a stone bed like feature where he was laid.  However out in the foyer of the church was another big stone slab where people were stopping and kissing, and praying on this slab?  Can't get a straight answer about what it was.  Then you go upstairs and there is a place where the cross was supposedly stood.  There is a glass encasement that shows the rock of the mount.  Now these 2 places are no more than a football field apart and separated by the height of about 2 stories.  My minds eye had them further apart than that.  However, across the street and outside the gate is the Garden Tomb and another Golgotha   There the tomb feels like the Bible depicts but the cross location does not.  It is not elevated today but there is a hill behind it, so then it could have been about half way up the mountain .  Anyway glad I got to see them both and since. None of us know for sure, oh well.  The important part is He Lives.  

Today I also went to the the Bethesda Pool where Jesus healed the crippled man.  It was VERY impressive.  It was basically the water supply where rain and springs fed the pool for the city water supply.  Different levels and ways to get close.  I could just imagine people with health issues standing around waiting for the water to stir so they could plunge in and be healed.  Pretty large so lots would probably jump at the same time.  Beautiful St Anne's church stands right beside it.  Very pleasant experience.  Glad it was cause I walked all over the pace getting lost trying to find it.  The city as just grown and built on top of, in front of, all over itself.  The church of HS is just tucked in behind a wall. I'm sure the church was there and had a courtyard, but someone defeated someone else so build something in the front door.

Also tried to go to the Temple Mount.  Heard about it saw it from the rooftop,and wanted to go.  Went in that direction but police said they were praying.  So I went to the Western/wailing wall to pry as well. Got ack home and told Ruthie and Hannah that I didn't get to go and and they burst out laughing.  Only Muslims so in there.  I saw the were checking passports for church.  Seems I could ave started another war if I had gone in.  Oh well, live and learn.

Bad a Swarmer for lunch.  A pita with shaved beef, French fries, pickles, purple cabbage, salad of cures and tomatoes and onions.  Very good, but didn't drink enough water and got feet and leg cramps so had to come home about dark.  9an till 7 pm, walking ,  uphill all the way, with a million stirs.  No wonder I'm as tired as the Cowboys.  How are they doing tonight I wonder.

Quite day in Jerusalem.

Finally the holy days are over.  Jews from all over the world a leaving tonight.  Extra airplanes in the sky, cars on the roads and black Hats on the streets.  Many travelers stayed at the King Solomon Hotel which is the building 20 feet out my window.  They are scurrying around to get home cause tomorrow their work week begins.  More about the Black Hats.  They wear black suits and black hats all day, very day, no matter how hot it is.  They are grown up to be BH.  They go to school from very young and are only taught the Torah.  Their school day is 8am till 9 pm?  They pray and read and then do it some more.  No jobs, just more study of Torah.  Everyone is not expected to understand Gods word, so these BH can help you if you need help, but you must move aside if they are walking down the sidewalk and if you are inappropriately dressed or distracting lay beautiful, they must look aside.  If you are seated they are not allowed to sit with you on a bus or bench or whatever.  Yesterday on the bus I sat beside one and he got up and moved.  Oh well!  The bondage of the Jew is almost as heavy as the friction between them and the Arab.  The heavy spirit of the Jews must be from all this bondage.  By the way, the study is only of the books of the law, Genisis, exodus, leviticus, numbers and Dueteronomy.  So their lives are all about Law.  These folks need Jesus, and he was right here and they rejected.  The reason they don't believe in Jesus is because the law says no idol worship and no God before God.    It really s frustrating to see such beautiful people, in their bondage to the Law be blinded to the Gospel.

Today we got a little cool front.  The weather here has been perfect.  Saw rain 3 times and it does not rain muc here.  It is all so mountainous.  I asked Hannah tonight why they don't have an airport.  She reminded me of the mountains and hills.  It flattens out for the Dead Sea and it is flat on the Tel Aviv coast, but not a flat place in Jerusalem.  

I took a walk and a nap and had a shower and lunch today.  That's a day of rest I needed.  On my walk I took some great pics and think I've learned how to send them from my phone to my iPad.  But I found a little place called Bible Hill.  Nothing there but a great view.  Fun to just imagine what it was like 2000 years ago.  It was across the street from Zion hotel and Zion restaurant.  Note outside described the vegetation in spring and fall, so I'll look again before I leave.  Very treacherous up and down the hillside, but worth the climb.  Found it as #3on someone's list of things to see. 

Shabbat eve in Jerusalem.

Not much more peaceful than the eve of the sabbath here.  Everything ceases at sundown till the following sundown so there are no shoppers, shops are closed, no movie goers are bar flies cause they are all closed, not even supposed to watch TV.  Just eat, sleep, pray and read the word.  Cooking for the 24 hours is done before sunset, what lights are on a sunset stay on till sunset.  Last week it was just the bathroom, but somehow tonight it is the living,dinning and kitchen and bath.  She has prepared chicken with dressing from carrots, potatoes onions and rice and sweet potatoes and a big soup of chicken broth with onions, potatoes, carrots and lemon juice.  And 3 Hugh loaves of bread, from the shuts (local market). I bought a cinnamon halva for dessert, which is a Mid East favorite,  pretty good stuff.  I also bought butter for the bread and Hannah was surprised at how good it was.  Guess not the norm here.  In the kitchens, there are 2 sinks.  One for milk products and one for meat products.  There are also drying racks for each and you don't use the same plate for meat as for milk.  Very interesting.

Today Ruthie is gone on a cruise to Cyprus.  I was just going to take the light rail from one end to the other and back, but Hannah wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything or et lst, so we combined our missions and had a great day.   But we can't miss the last 2  days.  

On we'd. Hannah wanted to go visit 2 rabbis that she greatly respects and always makes her fell better to visit them in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.  I wanted to go there so we made a day of it.  She had had a couple of really tough days with distractions, appts that did not show etc.  we all have them and hate them.  So I asked "do you think they will be there?"  She thought for a moment and burst out laughing.  It seems I missed the part about she was visiting their gravesites.  Now that is our standing one liner..." Do you think they will be there?"  The worst part was that she hesitated to think about it.  Anyway, we had so much fun and such and interesting trip that she didn't even go see them after all.

So now we are going again next weekend and asking Ruthie and spend the night in a kibbutz.   We joking call ourselves the Golden Girls.  I'm maude, Hannah is Rose and Ruthie is Betty white.   back to Tiberias, we ate St Peters grilled fish sitting in a great seaside restaurant on the Sea of Galliee.  Tossed our bread into the Sea and saw hundreds f fish come for it. Some catfish as big as Ruthie.  It was good fish but an amazing view.  Much bigger sea than I expected but on the south end where the river Jordan begins it tapers off a little and you can see how the deciples recognized Jesus from the shore.  Folks, being here and knowing that Jesus walked these shores, climbed these hills, wrote in this dust, turned these stones, it is totally overwhelming.  I never expected that every inch and every minute would be so full of the presence of God.  If it were not for 9 people I love in Texas I would love to stay here till The Lord comes back.  There are lots of Christians here, which was a surprise to me.  I'll enclose a pic of Samir who is an Arab Christian in the old city who plays Benny Hinn on his DVD in his Falafel shop all the time.  People come in to eat and are fed the Gospel.  Has a pic of Benny Hinn on his wall and has met him personally.  Now that is good news for Israel.  Jews, Christians, and Arabs all agree that the Messiah is coming soon.  Some of them just don't understand that this is his returning.

Back to today.  So we got on the train and went to the western edge of the new city then took a bus to a peaceful valley.  Hannah thought it was whwewre the stone was rolled back and that was about all she knew but she knew it was a nice Christian place.  So we found it.  I hoped it was not where Hesus was buried because I had seen that at the Garden tomb, and later in the old city at the church of the Holy Sepulchur.  As it turned out, it was one of those many things where Non believers just hear what they want to hear.  We ask one man for directions and he said there was one in the valley and one on the hill about half way up.  We asked a lady and she told us about 2.  Now we are asking for the place where the Christans think he rolled the stone back.  We are a kong way from the 2 I have already seen.  Well we found it and turns out it is where John the Baptist was born.  Great experience and I was really glad it was not Another Tomb of Jesus.  However the area was beautiful and peaceful and hilly, much more like I would ave expected than the Holy Sepulchur is.  Now from all I can find, the hill called Mt. Calvary is not as we have seen it depicted. I'm still workin on finding that.

After our trip out to St. John's, we rushed back to shop for food before all the buses stopped.  Got what we needed then went by a lovely coffee house owned by a very nice friend that she has helped medically.  She deals I. Natural herbs and exercises .He is having bad pain down from his lower side to his ankle.  She had him put his hands over the top of the door (opened) the slowly lift his legs till his body weight is hanging from the door, to relax all the muscels but with them in the right places.  You could see the pain melt away.  mark...try this for your muscles.   Anyway he loves Hannah because she as helped him, his father, and hs autistic twins.  She is so blessed with knowledge about herbs.  Shoot me your inquires.  She lives it and has me on bitters and yarrow.  I am still amazed that God has chosen to let me spend time with her and Ruthie.

 He drove us home and she began to cook.  We had forgotten eggs so I walked  3 blocks to the SOS /7-11 and grabbed eggs and a few other things .  You know how it is to go to the store for 1 thing.  By the time I got back she had started everything for dinner and our evening of dining began.

On our bus trip to Tiberias we went near Nazareth, and will go back later.  Also planned a trip to Jaffa/Tel Aviv, maybe Haifa, Bethlehem and Hebron.    Something wonderful happened everywhere in Israel.

Yesterday Ruthie and I slept in. I was still in my PJs at noon.  Ahhhhhh.  Just like back home.  It was the closing day of Succot so there was stele rating among the Jews.  We thought it would be a pretty good day for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher cause Jews  were busy elsewhere.  surprisingly that Ultra Long walk we made that first night to the old city, has now become an everyday jaunt.  Hannah sometimes takes a bus or train, but Ruthie walks everywhere.  Both of them make 3-5 stops along the way to visit friends or are stopped along the way by old friends.  Well Ruthies friends could be any nationality or religion, but all of Hannah's are Israeli Jews.   However all are delightful and welcome me because I am their friend.  We stopped to visit Mohammed, Johnny, Hamund, David, and another Johnny and Samir.  All loved Ruthie and greeted us with such warmth.  An unbelievable experience. Of course the have shops their from food to ceramic tile, wood carvings, clothes, fine jewelry.  but Ruthie is there to talk about Jesus.  She knows their kids, and business, their health and their dreams.  She is one of a kind and I am so blessed to know her.  She is opinionated, so we spend a lot of time chattering about everything.  She was opposed to the idea that the Holy Sepulchar could possibly be where our Lord was buried, and wanted me to see it so I could agree.  So I was ready to make my own mind up regardless of what she said.  Now for those who think it is, ok.  But I just don't think anyone could see both the Garden tomb, with everything exactly as I see it in the bible and the movies, and think the real place is the Holy Sepulcher.  No hill no garden no tomb.  I think it really doesn't matter, but the Garden tomb really felt special.  The holy sepulcher was very busy and now controlled by Armenians with everything dark and dreary, it was an awesome building, but not what I expect.  Anyway I have pics of it.  So I'll close here and show the pics 

Samir with pic of Benny Hinn

Ramund in his store with keys to Heaven

 Entrance to the Holy Sepulcher

Inside this room on the right is supposed to be where the cross stood(inside this building)

This group of Armenians were coming in as we were going out, so not sure what they were doing

Street just inside Jaffa gate.  Most streets mich narrower, mabe 8-10 feet wide.  Stores on bottom, homes above and behind and underneath.

Just some thoughts

To try and catch up...on Sunday I went to Christs Church in the Old City it was amazing for me.  Good sermon good music nice people perfect location.  The spirit of The Lord wraps all over this entire city.   ( yesterday as I walked through the Arab area around the city wall on the outside.  Fear rose up in. Me and I knew danger was around.  I began to pray and God led me to the other side of the road and nothing happened, but The Lord is so present here that he is leading me where I should be).  Anyway, we took communion at the alter and the preacher explained the Last Supper, and as I prayed for forgiveness and the lifting of burdens, The Lord was right there beside me.  This is very personal, but I want to retread and remember that day when I need a lift.  Then there were people there to pray with us, so I asked them to pray with me for the Green Family.  Since I could not be with Jan, it was uplifting to have corporate prayer for them in that atmosphere.  Anyway, when it was time to meet and greet it turned out that the little 78 year old lady next to me was from Florida.  We made a plan to meet afterwards.  Her name is Ruthie, and she is a incredible.  Christian, missionary, knows everyone on the Christian Circut, worked with Oral Roberts, knows all about the Christian sites in Israel.  She has had her own television show in Calif.  As it turns out she was looking for an apartment, hers was 65 steps up and difficult for her.  So the next morning she moved in with us.  This is a match made in heaven and I am so happy that God used me to work it out.  Between them they have written many books, spoken before thousand am healed the sick, cast out demons, every imaginable thing..  And here's me, nobody, brought them together.  Here's me, just here to experience Israel, and God has arranged an Orthodox Jew and a Christian missionary to show me around

After church on Sunday, she told me about a much better Christian gathering at 5 pm so we made plans to meet at 4 and go to church well turned out we never parted company but went to Ben Ahuda street where all the locals visit and enjoy the weekends.  Lots of shops food and entertainment from magicians, singing groups. Bands orchestra, all sorts of people on corners to enjoy.  Awesome afternoon.  We met some of her friends who work there and several friends.  Ladies, visiting that she had met previously from, Holland, Australia, Israel, North Carolina, 2 more Australians. We sat and had sodas and visited ubtil time for church then most of us were off to King of Kings where we actually stayed for 2 services.  The regular one and a conference starting that night that had people from all over the world attending.  Awesome Praise and worship.  We got home just before 10.  Too fun.

Monday was amazing again.  Ruthie and I probably walked 5 miles all over Jerusalem.  We started and saw an amazing array of Christian sites.  mt of Olives is on the Arab side and most Jews want go there so we didn't either. But we went around the front of it and it is a mountain of burial sies.  The whole mountain is white with graves.  There are residences on the very top and just a road or 2 going up it.  There is such tension between Jews and Arabs.  It is like bullies and the quite kids.  Jews seem to hide and stay out of the Arad areas, and Arabs don't care.  They come into Jewish territory with radios blaring, driving fast just irritating the issues.  All the shops in the .arab area are run by Arabs, and half of them in the Jewish area Arab.  Jews want buy anything at their shops.  It is thick tension here in the Jewish area.  We saw the tomb where Jesus was laid, the place where the  crucifiction took place, the Garden of Gethsemene,   The Greek church beside it, the Scull at Golgatha, the upper room the room where Pentecost occurred.  It was all so amazing.  The Garden of Gethsemene was small but had incredible olive trees.  Some of them were so big that branches were held up by stacking rocks under them. They were not tall but very big around.  Probably take 5-6 adults with outstretched arms to reach around them and about 30trees in the garden.  You could just imagine the guards showing up to arrest Jesus and Judas kissing  Jesus.  You could hear the disappointment in Jesus voice when the disciples   could not stay awake for just an hour.  It really made the Bible come alive.  In the old city where we saw the upper room where the Last supper was held, you could truly imagine the levity turning to seriousness as Jesus tried to explain to the deciles what was about to occur.  My friend Ruthie, has a beautiful, soprano voice and began to sing a song she wrote the music for and her friends wrote the words.  It was a beautiful experience.  There was no one there but her and me.  As we entered the room you immediately felt the presence of The Lord.  The peace and Love was all over.  When a place is filled with believers for 2000 years it makes a difference.  Actually the room where the spirit fell on the believers is adjacent to the upper room, and is only opened 5 dates a year and we missed it, but saw the entrance and the size and exterior.  As we left the upper room, Ruthie said, can you image the rush of the Holy Spirit as the wind blew through and about that tie a mighty wind did rush through.  There is a corridor leading Fromm. The upper room to a nearby room and there was a Hugh draft blew through.  Pretty impressive.  The room itself had about 5 high dooms in it and 3 staircases to other rooms.  There were 2 windows and the acoustics were wonderful.  All marble, floor, walls ceiling.  From there, I went up on the roof and had a majestic view of the city inside and out of the wall.  The wall around the city is probably 20-30 feet tall with about 5 entrances.  It is on a hill that is probably 30-40 feet higher than anything around it but in some places a much deeper and steeper hill.  Pedestrians can climb stairs up the wall and then walk all the way around it.  For the day the most moving site was the tomb.  The  place of the Crusifiction is adjacent to the bus parking lot and Calvary is an Arab cemetery, the skull on Calvary is also by the bus station, so takes a bit of the experience away.  But the garden tomb is spiritually impactful.  There is an entrance down a narrow street with a few vendors around and the only exit is through the gift shop, but while you are in the garden, it is an amazing experience.as soon as you enter you are almost bombarded with the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It is a beautiful location with many beautiful flowers which set the seen for running into the Gardner when Mary and Martha go to anoint Jesus after his burial, and met what they thought was the Gardner.  Then the feeling of grief then of hysteria when they thought their Lord had been taken.  Then you enter the tomb and the grief of His deciles when their master was dead and wondering if the dream was also dead.  In the tomb there was a real sense of reverence.  No one spoke, most just wept.  It so clear what had been done and that it was the perfect pan of God that His very own son would come, walk, live and teach us the die in our pace on that terrible cross so that we, who trust him as our savior could have eternal life.  What a plan.  The overwhelming gratitude, words cannot express.  That room felt very very lonely and forsaken, but what happened there s what made the difference for all humanity.  I don't believe Easter will ever be the same for me.   I am sooooo sad to say though, if Jesus was alive today and did the same thing, the reaction of the Jews as not changed.  They are so blind to anything that involves Jesus, and it is right outside their door.  However it is easy to see why this is His chosen land. Nowhere I have ever been felt like the center of the world like Jerusalem does.  

Ruthie showed me where it is believed that The Lord will return for his Bride, the Church.  On Mt   of Olives there is a hotel and a church and He is expected to come from that area down Mt of Olives to what is known as the eastern gate.  It is presently sealed and boarded up.  It is near where the 1st and 2nd temples were and where the 3 rd is to be built.  As my new friends and I talked tonight , the Jew, Hannah said that the temple is already built, and is ready to be put in place by God, so it could be sooner than we even imagine.  Many Christians believe that when the 3rd temple is begun that we know it is about time, but If you can believe that Jesus is coming again then I can believe that the Temple is ready for the return.  Awesome.

Tuesday, yesterday, Hannah an I took a bus to Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee.  I'll tell you about that tomorrow.  I'm going to bed.   Tonight we ave been Seranaded all night.  It is the last night of Succot, and the big celebration of harvest ending begins.  They had their diner on the roof the the me all began to sing. Gospel songs.  They sang beautifully for several hours.  Now they have quit so I can sleep

 

Exhausted

Gotta get some rest, it's off to Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee tomorrow.  Everything is wonderful and maybe I'll have time on the bus tomorrow to catch up.  Stay tuned its worth the wait.

Pics

E

 

My timing for seeing Israel has not been without Glitch.  Friday about noon ish the buses stopped for Shabbat, Sabbath.  They have started again tonight so tomorrow I can buy my book of Israel, but not to be defeated, we went into the Holy City last night..  It was a very long and difficult walk as we tried to find a short cut.   It was a short cut but very downhill then just as you might imagine, Very uphill, then we had to come home the same was.  But we were able to see a lot because their were no crowds.  We spent some amazing time at the Wailing wall.  Very beneficial for both of us.  The photos above are today within about a block from her apt.  First is a little close of Jaffa gate into the Holy City.  The rooftops are the oldest neighborhood of Jews that were built outside the city. You can't quite see the valley between them but I assure you that it is there.  The next is the same but of the park across the street from here, the neighborhood I mentioned and the the old city.  It is either park like with wonderful trees and flowers or barren rocks.  Next is the kid ton valley.  Seems that is where the Arabs live and the animosity between the is outstanding.  The Jews avoid them as though they were diseased.  Do not buy from their shops, speak to them unless in insult, I can't even tell the difference, but Hannah can.  She is a lovely lady but Ates the Arabs, and yet has to live here with them. Peacefully.   Thus the news we read.  Last is her apt.  My room is the top floor corner with the windows poem

N.  it started raining this afternoon.  Never rains in Jerusalem, so she is very happy.  I'm the tourist so not so much apply.

Now to today.  Up and off to Synagogue.  Quite a walk.  Not many cars here so when the buses stop, you stay at hoe or walk.  Large Sy seemed to me, but nice.  Only men participate so they sit on the main floor and the women in the balcony about 5 flights of stairs up.  Had an English bible and songbook, so I just read my English book, not exactly the Bible but enough so I knew where we were. But when the music began it was breathtakingly beautiful.  Truly no words I know will describe it.  No instruments,  all male, it makes me tingle to remember it now.  I really enjoyed being there, the congregation received a blessing from the high priest.  High priest are direct descendants of David.   Amazing again.  The bloodline is protected here and they are highly revered.  Learning about the Blackhats, the up shearing of 3 year old boys, when they get their first haircut and leave the ringlets by their ears forever, about bar misvahs for boys at 13 and girls at 12. All the boys scrolling is from the bible and the girls learn how to be wives and mothers.  The black hatters ave9-1. Children and you see the entire family walking everywhere.  They sorta live in their own neighborhood.  When you see the family, the Father leads followed by all these children then the Mother brings up the rear also dressed in Black.  Blackhats job is to pray and read the Bible.  Higher than his is the en dressed all in white from. Head to toe.  No one speaks to him and he speaks to no one, even amily.  Husband and wife in the orthodox Jewish families do not even pray together. 

Well enough about that part of the day, we went to a Succot on the way home.about 50 people, she knew several of them but does not go to their Sy because she had a run in with the Rabbis wife.  But for Succot it was ok.  We went in for the kibosh where you drink wine together and get it blessed by the Rabbi.  Since there was room, we stayed for the meal.  No cameras but was served in courses by Sy members like our Pot Lucks but all the food was provided by the Rabbi in conjunction with a Rich Jew somewhere.  We had Beautiful salmon, another fried fish, potato salads , coleslaw, peppers, beets, dips, humus, a spaghetti sauce, bread, wine, soda, water, then they served the eat, fchicken Switzerland, and cold cuts, then a wonderful hot soup of potatoes, beef, tomatoes and onions with lots of spices.  During the feast, the Rabbi would talk, some English, some not, everyone was friendly and loud, children playing everywhere, outside under a 4 sided tent with Reed for a roof.  Often when the Rabbi would speak, he would start or end itch everyone singing apply Jewish songs.  It was a lunch of a lifetime.  But they do it every Sat, just not usually in a Sucoh.  The Succoh is to remind them of the children of Israel wondering in the dessert with no structured homes ad under the stars.  Oh I got another chill. Folks it is amazing here.  It is even more spiritually awakening than I had dreamed of. Not sure about tomorrow.. Planning back to the Old City for church at Christ ChUrch inside the Jaffa gate, mostly English, Anglican.  Internet says their is a Baptist church but HAnnah says it is always closed when she goes by so ill check it out during the week and go next Sunday.

What a day or 2

The ride in yesterday was nothing less than incredible.  Yes I cried when I saw Jerusalem, although it was nothing likwhat I expected.  It was dark but awesome.  As we entered from the Dead Sea, we saw Bedoin tents and Camel along the major roadway the a freeway curved around the twinkling city oh many hills.  Areas of total darkness amidst the twinkling s. nothing like a 21 century American City.  The Bus station was underground and then I started remembering all the bombings at bus stations, then I remembered that 1/3 of Israelis are currently security and travel on all buses, and .80% have served in the military even my friend Hannah and she has a black belt in Karate.  Caught another bus to her very nice apartment on King David just a block from the King David Hotel.
Along the way was picturesque, with date palm groves, 2 sets of mountains, an unbelievable sunset and moonrise, quick stop at Massada and Dead Sea but will return to both.   The most impressive thing we saw was the HUGH sections of land devoted to plants.  They do all the country's gardening in select areas of green houses.  You did not see the plants as they were covered with a gauze like fabrics, like we do green houses.  They have incredible vegetables and I guess that is how.  Then the salt. Mining from the sea of salt( Dead Sea). Then  the cattle haulers everywhere.  They had bales of hay at the feedlots but saw no hay fields yet.  But there are 2 places in the country where they grow cattle.  One in the south one in the north.  A lot of these operations are worked by people who live in a kibbutz.  They live there, work there and all their needs are provided in exchange for their labor.
Amazingly the bus left Eilat exactly on time and arrived in Jerusalem exactly on time.  We passed a couple of armed guard stations along the way.but no incidences.  It was a great day.  More soon about today.

Another beautiful day at the beach.

Tomorrow we leave Eilat by bus to Jerusalem. Want get there until about 10 pm.  Today was another JEwish holiday. Succotstarted at sunset so everyone closed early and all the people left the beach early.  Hannah is a very serious Orthodox Jew so we tried to do it right, we got a message at the last minute with unsettling news about her daughter, and it delayed us a few minutes and we missed sunset.  However she said it is Ok, God is not mad and she doesn't have to make it up.  If she had made it, she would have gotten a mitzvah , which is kinda an atta -girl from God but since she did not make it it's ok.  The buses shut down but airport still flying.  Most restaurants closed mid afternoon, but some stayed open and served high priced dinners, $50-70 a plate.  This lasts for 8 days and they eat but they eat outside in a decorated booth type area with no top.  It is in remembrance of Jonah when God provided shelter.  Got to google that.
We just got a new lady in our room.  Here in Israel we have a Russian.  A little tension already between our Jew and Russian.  It is really thick here already with Arabs.  They hesitate to pass each other on the street.  They just avoid each other if at all possible.  I don't know how it will be in Jerusalem, but here where the countries are so close the tension is easy to find.
Such sad news of all the flooding in Colorado and now Mexico.  Then the Navy yard shooting.  I'm not that sure I lie having English news after all.

Pics of today's snorkling in Red Sea

: )Another fab breakfast today the off to the beach.  A lot of people there, and even better snorkling 

Than before.  It is amazingly healthy coral, best I've seen anywhere except maybe Caymen with Glenda.  That day in Caymen was very rough so can't remember too well.  But today was Beautiful. Then we came back up the beach a ways to the Coral Reef where there are Scuba classes, wind surfing,coupe of restaurant snorkel rs, all kinds of activities.  Not near as good of undersea activity because of all the upper activities.  coral very damaged like I'm. Used too.  Then back to clean up and have a little dinner.  Shared a pasta Alfredo and pizza.  Awesome Alfredo and good pizza.  The small area between here and Jordan is all very nice.  Almost a state fair atmosphere the first mile or so with shops everywhere filled with all sorts of stuff and all open air.  Yesterday actually saw a fish spa.  Everyone. ( not me) sits around a hot tub looking thing rolls their britches up and then thousands of little fish nibble the dead skin off your feet.  I know they would have to close it down cause I'd tee tee all over the pace from laughing as they tckle my feet.. No thanks.  But after the booth shopping there is a beautiful shopping area with upscale shopping.  Many sales : ).   I could still use some sun but Hannah got burned today, so not sure about the beach tomorrow.  Then Thursday, guess what.  Yup! Another Jewish holiday.  Tomorrow night is a special dinner and all good Jews eat outside.  Everyone brings their own Food and eat in a special pavilion pace put up with flowers and stuff with no roof so you can see God to give thanks.  I'm probably mixed up on some of this but will have a better idea tomorrow night. Anyway special JEwish food and yes, lasts for several days.  Not sure what all will be closed for this one but we ave bus tickets to Jerusalem already.  Love to all

 Scuba

Scuba resort diving right in front of our table

Another beautiful.  Went snorkling there today.  Nice black but not as clear as yesterday and the coral was not in as good a shape as yesterday. The red mountains and rock give the Red Sea it's ame, but color is very Blue

Pray for decernment for me.

Without a lot of details, I have 2 new roomies, one adorable from Holland, big traveler, great to talk with, the other from South Africa, delightful lady.  Earlier today I had been praying for God to fill me cup.. Then tonight my new friend shows up and we start talking.  She is telling me about praying and God blessing, and I'm going, thank you Lord for refreshments from a stranger.  she says that her daughter has recently moved out and she has extra space and a great apartment and a

Has been thinking of renting a room out, would I lie to come stay and pay less than I was planning, and help her with rent.  I loved the idea so we planned it.

Seems as we've visited that the daughter as been taken and her 2 grandchildren, by someone who found her on fb 3years ago and lured her away the and now as taken her again.  It all sounds nightmarish.  Bottom line she is very upset and has come here to try and sort out her thoughts and make a plan.  All very complicated and Mom needs help trying to understand what's happening.  She needs someone to talk to.  As a sounding board and prayer partner.  I asked her tonight if she thinks I could help her sort things out if I stay here in eilat another day r 2.  She was elated and said she had wanted to ask me to but didn't want to impose.  So here is the place I need your prayers.  Pray that I will hear Gods will for my life.  I don't want to get involved unless God wills. I told her my plan would be to pray and wait on Jesus to lead me.  She said she is praying but not earring from God.  We talked more about Jesus, and she sees that her Jewish Faith is not eating her need in this situation.    So pray for me as I listen to her and listen to God.

Gosh I'm tired

  UBut it's a good tired!  Got up had breakfast.  Tomorrow ill take my camera.  It was fried or boiled eggs or both several fruits several cheeses, several breaks, dry cereal and 3% milk.  Yes that was a 3, and a ton of veggies. Olives, cucumber, tomato wedgies. Insane breakfast food.  I did fine with coffee, juice, 2fried eggs, bread of some sort some cheese and tomatoes.  Still full. Ate with a roomie and chated a bunch.  When we got back to the room, she said she really wanted a child when she heard me speak of mine.  Says she goes in and out of wanting a child, but she's 37 and feeling her clock tick.  Anyway, she is a knockout, degree in psychodrama.  It is where you go for therapy and act out how you are feeling and then act out how you believe the other party would respond.  Trained through a university in Boston.  Thought it sounded awesome.  You know i am a strong advocate of getting help when you need it.  Anyway, it seems that men here just want to make babies and have relationships with their children but not the mothers.  Several think she is smart and attractive so could give them good babies but not marriage.  Her own parents never had a good marriage and she doesn't want that but feeling disparate that if doesn't find him soon will be too late for children.  Please stop now and pray for my new friend, that God will give her the desires of her heart.  We prayed and cried together this morning.  God is so precious to lead me to these precious women.  The Israeli women are so strong and independent.  Truly a Blessed breed of women.  I know God is going to bless her and I know she is going to give him the Glory.

First I went across to finally opened shopping center.  Took some fun pics of great looking stores.  Zara and lots of other fancy places.

Then I took the #15 bus as my new friend advised me to do and actually went to the Egyptian border.  Cost 100 shackles to cross about $25, so I just looked across and took a pic.  Then walked back up to a beautiful hotel and joined their guests snorkling.  Rented gear and walked out a pier and there were lots of families there.  We all played and had fun and the fish didn't even notice.  They just kept swimming.  They were beautiful.  Like the Carribean, but the water was clear as glass and colors were awesome.  There was coral beds around and they were fil of small fish, but it was not mounds and miles of coral so you could really see the fish.  They were pretty excited about all the growth on the pier  too.  Didn't stay long cause I forgot to take a shirt, and it was 108.  On the ride there I saw campgrounds all along the beach.  They are not just campers but Bedouins, like Moses wife's family lived in the 10 commandments.  Way cool.

Bought my ticket to Jerusalem for tomorrow.  We go by the Dead Sea getting there, but I'll go back to float.  

See ya in Jerusalem

Decision ade

Aa

After much struggle with the decision I have decided to not visit Petra.  Temperatures are unusually high there.  Most  hotels are not air conditioned, although evenings cool off to 60 or 70, getting there is very challenging.  Join a tour, and it is all rock with lots f inclines , I know I would hate trying to keep up with a tour group, or take a taxi , me and one Arab going across the desert.  NO.  Option is a bus and not such a nice bus and leaves when it fills up so sitting on a hot bus, 108 here, waiting for enough to show up to leave.  All this to pay $70 to look at more rocks.  I think one day it will developed enough to make it worth while but tady, I'm gonna miss it,  will just hang here Sunday and go to Jerusalem on Monday.  Jews all had Sabbath  today so gotta find a church for tomorrow.  Here are a couple of more

pics. My hotel with Red Sea over the alcony and the courtyard next door.  Don't know how they grow anything in this heat.

It's over

YK seems to b e over.  I find myself very frustrated cause I did a really long post earlier and voila...it's gone.  Think that if the battery dies or Internet blinks I loose what I'm doing.  So here we go again?
I think it's over, but not a big deal.  I kinda expected lots of traffic and yelling kinda like New Years Eve,  but really only noticed a trickle of cars increased and 1 airplane came in.  Oh there goes a bus.  I am at a really nice place right on the beach of the Red Sea.  Saved the beach for today cause that was all that would be open today and of course none of the cabanas or anything were open, but there were some families and tourist.  It was very clear, not much color but more green than blue.  Great fish even right off the beach.  Big rocks for the bottom.  Never got off rocks.  Saw the funniest thing.  An old man was snorkling and his dog was riding on his back.  Bout the size of a jack Russell.  Michael and Mav you ought to teach Cloe to ride you when you snorkel.  Not so good for scuba diving.  People brought their blankets and food and water cause knew there would be Nothing available otherwise.  Got up about 7am to hit it before it got to 108 degrees.  Had a great walk then came hoe for my swimsuit and went back.  It was just the right amount f. People.  Remember I don't like to swim alone.
I'm sitting on the deck at the hotel and the view is beautiful .  Finally cool, not much traffic  a little overcast blocks the stars but a glow shows where the moon is.  But the lights across the sea in Jordan glisten light diamonds on the dark skyline.  The mountains I remember from earlier have virtually disappeared.  Ya know in so many places I've visited there was lights all the way up the mountains.  Well not here or in Greece.  Don't know why, but the beach or the mountains are the places to build.  They are not getting all the good they could out of this land.  I noticed that flying in.  Total darkness the a little circle of lights.
Have had the greatest time meeting eople yesterday and today.  Seems that you can be a faithful Jew or not a faithful Jew but everyone is off for YK.  So if you are a non participating Jew, then it's part time.  Both of my roomies are Partiers.  Argentina and israeli .  But both now live in Jerusalem. Emily is adorable, tall, thin, gorgeous, 22 and a bartender at Mikes, a sports bar and has invited me



over for a Cowboy game.  So someone fb me the next 3 games schedule.  I think that sounds fun!
Her mom is from Chicago and dad from Austria.  He is a Rabbi.  She is the next to youngest of 9 children.  They do not believe in BC.  She is a very liberal minded feminist sort of girl who does not want anyone telling her what to do,like YK or daily prayers and synagogue.  She knows what the Jews believe but doesn't want that kind of religion.  I talked to her about how we believe Jesus came to fulfill the law and now we just have to believe and receive salvation.  She listened and that's what I believe God wants from me at this time.  She invited me to go to friends hose to Party all night, but I'm over that.  I was asleep before 10pm.  I have Englishtv here for the first time to see news in 3 weeks.  Colorado sounds aweful but the rest of the world sounded a bit improved.
Back to yesterday since I can't find it on my blog... I ate my first Falafel.  Emily says it is their form of Pizza cause you can put anything on it.  I thought it was set up like a subway.  Everyone gets chicken cut off an upright roasting rod.  Like a Gyros if you've eaten that.  In US I've had neither.  Anyway it has all this other stuff, most I did not recognize, like purple cabbage cooked, marinated cooed purple cabbage, lots of peppers and othe things, and humus.  I tried a little of EVERTHING and it was great.  With no food for today that was a great option cause I had it for, lunch and dinner yea stay and today.  For breakfast today the provided a boxed breakfast, cause breakfast is included.  It was breakfast and lunch and really fun to figure out.  There were 2 6 in baguettes .  An apple, then it got difficult.  Looked like a juice pouch, but it was.....Chocolate Milk. Very chocolate and I haven't had any in a very long time, so a real treat.  Then I tried the yogurt.....chocolate pudding.  Yummy.  By noe I've lost some confidence in my ability to read Hebrew.  It all looks upside down to me.  But there are5 more packets of something.  One has pics of strawberries on it, so it's gotta be strawberrier******Correct.  The others I don't have a clie.  One is white with black splotches like a cow from Chick fil a.  I guessed butter....wrong again.  It was cream cheese,  the others no clue were butter, I think,  margarine I think, and to my pleasant surprise. More chocolate.  Kinda like fudge.  There was also a boiled eg and 4 slices of delicious cheese.  Now that was supposed to be Breakfast for the stranded tourist.  Can't imagine what real breakfast will be tomorrow.  I'm in losing a pic of the items in the room by the coffee maker.  What do you think the are.  Year Lipton tea and creamer. Then what.  In turkey and Greece they double labeled everything so you knew what was going on.. Not here.  Street signs nothing has eng options.  Oh well, I love a challenge.  I also have a pic of some signs you'll recognize.  Yes, All closed even McD.
Met a really nice old (66yr old) lady yesterday on a park bench when I was coming over from my previous hotel.  I'm learning that walking distance is not one size fits all.  I decided to make 2 trips one with backpack one with suitcase.  It's just hard to get a taxi to take you a short trip.  They are waiting for the big fares.  Oh well.  Can't fight that battle today. Jd

Sleeping arrangements.

Well I knew it could happen.ending up with a male roomie.  That was why I was happy in Selcuik when I stayed with the twins and several males in the room.  But still, when I opened the door tonight and there was a young man in the room, well I almost said excuse me and closed the door.  But he has been such a delight.  4 beds so we may have more by. Morning but for now just like having one of my grand kids here.  He has been so polite and told me all that he has seen in Israel and shared good and bad.  That is what is so cool. About this.  He just graduated from university with masters in economics, in Stockholm Sweden.  Here just celebrating.  Has been to Israel before and finds the study of religion fascinating.  Was raised as a Christian. But. Just not very religious anymore.  Figures if he ever needs it he knows about it.  Shared with him some of the times I would not have made it without God and that Jesus. Has been right here in Israel and is real and has prepared a way for us.  Shared how much he helps me in my day to day life and that Faith comes with trials and seeing Jesus meet our needs time and time again. We discussed other religions and some comparisons.  He tells me there is a Mosque of Jesus in Jerusalem.  That they believe that Jesus was a great teacher and had some really good ideas and celebrate him with this Mosque.  I didn't know that.  

Had agreat flight here and found my pace and in my room by 8:30. I really like being in before dark but it was all ok and in a nice enough area.  Going to sleep.  It is really hot ere.  Expected to be 109 tomorrow.  Tomorrow also starts Yun Kippur with 26 hours of fasting and praying for ALL Jews.  So everything is closed from 6 Friday to 7pm sat.  Gotta check on petra for Sat.  however with that heat, I gotta do some more checking.  Busy day gathering info.  I know the beach is open!

Pics of flight

Just thought this was an appropriate article in the on flight mag. Other 2 are Greek. Islands. Verylittle developement except along the beaches.  Lots of room for more developement

Goodbye

Goodbye Europe ...Hello Israel..

It has been a challenging morning, but I'm here checked in and at my gate 1hour before departure.i knew all would be well if I allowed myself enough time.  The worst thing that has happened is I lst another hat.  2 gone, 2 left.  I am loosing no weight according to my cloths, but I did notice that my ear plugs fit better last night ; ). I hope Sept 11 was un eventful around the world.  Have not seen any news or heard any English comments, but everything seems normal in Greece, wonderful Greece.  I have so enjoyed it but now am going into new territory for me.  Middleton East.  I will take it slow and easy and remember psalm 24. The Earth is the Lords aNd all that is within it.  I will Praise His Holy Name.

Michelle, I thought of you and smiled as I went through X-ray and the found my half liter of water and half bottle of coke.  I stopped and drank them both.  That was after about a pound of grapes before check in.  I should be hydrated for awhile.  Loving my vest.  You will so surprised when you see it again.  The stitching over the left boob that you were worried did come out.  In turkey I bought needle, thread and Turkish bookmark that was Turkish fabrics.  And a couple of other fabric embroidered patches.  Then I bought one in Greece, now I an turning oIt into a real souvenir vest as will keep buying something in every country..  I'm excited about our creativity.

2 weeks ago about now

Can't believe I have been somewhere for 2 weeks this afternoon.  I left yesterday and landed this afternoon.  It has been a marvelous trip already.  It does feel good to have a couple of weeks, I few trips on, train, plane, auto, tram, bus, metro, under my belt.  Been through USDollars, Turkish Lira, and now Euros.  Eaten shis kabob, gyros, baklava, Greek yogurt, ouzo,lots of fresh fruit, and too much awesome bread.  I've swam in the Aegean Sea and the Corinthian Sea.  I've met people from almost all over the world.  And it's only just begun.

I guess my passion is Faith, family, then travel.  I have learned that it is important to follow you passion.  I, lie most everyone I know, does all we can to keep going and keep doing and usually for others not for ourselves.  I seriously believe that I am already a better person for following my passion, dream. Whatever.  Now that I see what a difference it is making in who I am, I will find a way to do it more.  Now that I have learned to travel cheaply, though gotta work on traveling light, I will try it again and again as long as my body will go.  Don't worry loved ones.  I won't need it this long again.  I think I just was thinking while I'm out I may as well get the best bang for my buck.  Already thinking of South America.

Gotta make a confession...I did nt do a good job of seeing Corinth.  I had seen Ephesus, and athens and more stones sounded, well, boring.  I found many stones at the beach.  I did think a kot about Paul and his journeys, and I suspected that he spent a lot of time talking and preaching at the very place I was sitting.

Well I aml now checked into my hotel for tonight the off to Israel.  Have a lovely roomie from Canada.  She is also an archeologist.  She has been digging in Cyprus and Crete.  Very nice lady.  Then off to the natl Archeology Museum.  Hugh and plenty to see.  Here again as in Rome.  All the men are nude and all the women fully clothed.  Except for the one who was Goddess of Love, Aphrodite .  She was often draped partcially.  Same in Italy, but the opposite in France.  Naked women and well dressed men.  I think that says a lot about their culture, but I don't know a lot about what.

Stopped for great lunch to go with the wonderful Spinach filled pastry I had earlier.  awesome,

Then stopped by the Victoria park for sunset, very near my hotel.  Met the nicest man from Albania.  He is an art teacher for small children in school.  Has 2 children hisself but schools are so bad in Albania that he has sent them to school in Italy.  Everywhere I go, if we get into a conversation, it leads to the economy.  Canada seems to be the only ones not hurting.

Planning to get to bed early for my travel day tomorrow.  Leave the hotel about 7:30am and get to Eilat about 8:00 pm.  No pics today, I really did not see much.

later

I would never lie

.When I came into Corinth a few days ago, I thought I did something wrong.  I got off at the end of the line when everyone else got off.  Thought I was in Corinth.  End of the line?    Loved the little town ( later found it was Loutriki). Quaint little town with lots of shops and restaurants, went to the ticket counter showed the address of my hotel and bought a ticket (I thought) to that location.  When I tried to board the bus, my driver and I laughed, because I got off too early and already had a ticket to Corinth.  He will tell me when to get off.  Only $2 so go on.  In a little while we stopped again and he told me, smiling...this is Corinth.  Others got off, he got my luggage, I looked up and we are at a bus stop bench.  No station.  No one to ask, but taxi across the street.  No options so I take a axi to my hotel for €14.  Ok nice ride to the beach.  Now I'm trying to get back to the airport in Athens tomorrow.  This really what I copied from Internet on how to get back...To get to Athens, there is a bus stations near the sea. It is a little hidden and probably hard to find at first, but just keep asking people for the bus stop...  When you are 66 pulling a50 pound bag and carring a 40 Pound ( guessing) backpack,  thosisnot a good idea.  I have learned that the hard way.   

I have made reservations for tomorrow night in Athens at Zorbas.  Sounds Greek to me.  It is only about a football field from the metro that will take me to the airport for my flight on the 12th.  It will be a long day with 2 short flights.  To Te.l Aviv the a 6 hour layover for a 1 hour flight to Eilat on the Red Sea 

Have my room there for 3 nights so I can see Petra, then a ay at the sea snorkling then off to either Jerusalem, Nazareth, or Bethlehem.  Somedays are tougher to get into Bethlehem than others, so must wait and see.  But it seemed natural to start where Jesus started and then on to where he grew up then into Jerusalem, Massada, and ther highlights.  Now it's getting exciting!

My time out here as been ver revealing.  I am not good at doing nothing.  I have a lot of word I need to use every day.  I do prefer coming home to someone in the evenings even if to strangers.  That being said, I have enjoyed spreading my stuff out everywhere and seeing what I really have.  Much of it will not be needed unless I go somewhere cooler than I've been so far.

I've always had a desire to stay in a hotel near enough to hear the waves and sleep with a natural wave machine.  My balcony is completely private so I have been able to do that.  Only problem is that the breeze dies at night and I end up turning on the AC and closing the balcony doors.  I have 2 double doors and a kitchen window so during the day it is perfectly breezy.

Yesterday I took a nap.  Yes that's the life until bedtime comes and your still awake at 2:30am.  Lesson learned.

Today I ha been east and west along the beach, so decided to go inland.  Some beautiful Villas.  The trees blew me away.  Yards filled with vegetable and flower garden, but trees were abundant and abundantly productive..  I saw, fig, pomegranate, lime, orange, grapevine, olive and several I did not recognize.  As well as sugar cane and several different palms.  I can't tell one from another without fruit.  Kinda the way we are.  You can tell us by the fruit of our life.

Just a laugh then I'm gone.  Yesterday the owner. Lady here asked me what I do to stay so fit.  Now you see what I mean by everyone wears 2 pc swimwear and really shouldn't.  If I look fit, well you get the picture...

1st pic is a grape canopy at the hotel. I want to do this with my grape vines at my house.  How can I get my grapes this big.  You can't tell but thus cluster is about as long as my arm. Second is my lovely breakfast on the patio by the beach.  Thank you God for the Blessings of life

Quick note

Been so busy tonight I better throw in a quick update.  I was busy watching NCIS.  Fist TV I've seen since I left dallas.  In seen it on but never English so moved on.  It was funny to have the Greek captions.  Course I had seen this roils ode before but who cares.  

It has been an exceptionally quite couple of days.  Only businesses are about a 10 min walk away, but along the beach, so OK.  Problem is that one way is small grocery store, the other direction is a marina and a coupe of restaurants that were closed when I went down this morning.   No shopping at all except for food.  god knows I've been eating way too much.  I thought I was surely burning it off, but when I put on my swimsuit yesterday I found it was all still here.  At least I should ave firmed it up a bit, but. no. it's still hanging around, literally.  Oh well, some things just don't change.

Had a great breakfast here at the hotel today. Then a walk then a nap then a swim, they lad in the packs by the Sea, then repacked then NCIS then to bed to check answer and delete emails.  Finally checked Dallas news and found more there than Fox nEws...Go Channel 8 online news.  I never watch their Wes but had it iPad.  Wow still hot in Texas I see.  Here too!

Just really enjoying a break.  Gotta go to sleep now so I can get up and do it all again tomorrow,

Have been drinking these here.  Sooo good.

At the beach. Ahhhhh

And a beautiful view you'll see.  I have made it to my location but but don't have a clue where I am..the address is Corinth Elle   But the cab ride out was long.  But like our future Paradise, it really doesn't matter, I'm here.  Arrived after about a 2 hour bus ride from Athens, after about a 1 hour train and bus ride from my hotel to get to the Big Bus terminal for long distance trips, not locals.  Only problem is that the reception is not opened.  2phone numbers but can't et the phone to work. Oh well.  I can just sit here and enjoy the wonderful breeze, about 82 degrees or more pleasant.  Whatever perfect is, that's what it is.  As long as they show up before that coke and water process, I. Ok.  But there s that whole big Ocean out there.  I have my luggage, I'm good to go.  

Found a nice, close little church this morning.  Pics of Jesus and Mary everywhere so likely Cathlic but man in long white robe stayed behind a wall with an alter most of the time.  Came out to ring a bell and carried insence I guess cause there were sparks coming out of the little bell.  Everyone

E who came in kissed all the pictures and instead of the cross your heart thing that I have seen Catholics do, they just did a little stutter step thing from center to a bit lower left of chest.  Anyway, I felt like I was in the presence of people of faith.  The reading included Israel and Jesus, go I was glad to be there.   

They have opened now and it is perfect. I am in Asso Greece, I'm headed to the beach

Saturday night Special.

Yeah today was awesome.  Got up early, took a round about bus ride to get as close as I could to the    

Acropolis entrance.  Can you see how far away and high up that is?  Far away didn't bother me, 

I've gone there and back 2 days in a row but not up.  So I got a head start by taking the bus. 

 It was bad but I made it.  I thank God that my body is holding up.  Very tired and a bit rickety,

but makin it.  It was incredible, but I gotta say that after seeing it last, it was all i expected.

 The enormity of it, the history behind it, the 2500 years age of it.  But it was almost out shown by 

the view of surrounding Athens.  You could see all the way to the ships where I came in a few days ago.

All in all worth the effort.

Then I walked back by way of the shops and restaurants and the Agora and another temple and the 

Church of the Apostle.  Almost new, built in 1025.  Stopped for a gyro.  Haven't had one yet

 and just seemed right.   They carve the. Meat off the roasting spigot and then add feta,some sauce, 

onions, tomatoes and boiled potatoes.  Oh my goodness, to die for.  I could eat only half, so 

enjoying the rest as I blog,  yum yum!  

Repacked for tomorrow when I say farewell to Athens.  I could stay 4 months, but better move on. 

 I have changed my plan to go to Skopelos island.  It takes a long time to connect ferries, am

Nd frankly everything here in Athens makes me think of Mamma Mia so I'm very content with 

not.  Think ill go to Corinth and Kalamate on the other coast.  Gotta close and check that out to be 

sure.  Not gonna mention how I'm missing you, got to far to go to be going there.  

Go check out psalm 7:9 and pray that for the world.  I'm praying for each of you.

Friday nights are the same all over

Another amazing day in Athens. Went to theAcropolis museum.  Kinda brought the whole thing together and at my own pace I was able to make it all fit into what I think of when I think of history.  I think of In the beginning God created.   Well lots of this was 500-600 years BC.  About the time that Judah fell to Babylon and about the time the 1st Temple was completed in Jerusalem.  The Greek mythology was very interesting too.  Something about the Virgin birth of Athena or some woman, born out of the head of Zeus.  Gotta read up on that, but I guess most religions try to get in on Gods action in their own way.  It is nice to hear God and Christianity spoken here.  Lots of churches and even some Baptist according to the Internet.  Making my way to the top tomorrow.  the acropolis.  Then back by a couple other ruins in anticipation of  leaving Athens Sunday after church somewhere and heading to Mamma Mia.  It's ?friday night here and getting a little rowdy on the street.  Still not scary but think ills head to bed and get a cool early start tomorrow to climb the Hill.  Still working on getting pics from cell to iPad or blog from iPad.