Dig with Cody

So I probably should have done this a little earlier, but now is better then never.  But I have had some people ask what we are doing in some of the pictures or what we do in a day. So here is a quick run down of a day in life of me:

4:00 am- wake up (get dressed, pack water and bag, grab granola bar etc)
4:45 am- catch the bus... and don't be late!
5:00 am- hike up hill to Hippos
5:10 am- set up tarps, get out tools, start digging*.
        - every 25 minutes we have to stop for a water break. That alarm is like chimes from heaven.
        - * 'Digging' consists of mostly- pick axing for a bit, then using a tureah (I don't know if I spelled that right), which is a big hoe essentially, to scoop the dirt into buckets while also looking for pottery shards, glass, metal or other small finds.  We then carry the buckets of dirt to edge of site and dump of the side.  This process is frequently (more frequently then desired) stymied by large rocks and building blocks.  These, once ID'd as not being part of a wall or important structure, are dug out and are lifted by 1,2,3, or 4 people and a net depending on size.
8:00 am- breakfast. Very much look forward to our hard boiled eggs, bread, and tomatoes and cucumber.
8:30 ish am- back at the dig site, digging.
11:00 am- fruit break (and twice now we have go Popsicle... so good in the heat)
11:45 am- clean up head to the bus.
12:00 pm- Riding the air conditioned bus... alright.
12-2 pm- shower, rinse clothes, swim in sea of Galilee (sometimes),lunch, which is the big meal of the day... so good.
2-4 pm is nap, facebook, drink beer, lounge etc.
4:30 pm- pottery washing.  All that pottery shards and tesserae needs to be cleaned for analysis.
5:30 pm- devotions
6:30 pm- supper, which is essentially breakfast here in kosher Israel. Cereal, eggs, yogurt etc.
7-8 pm- skype, blog, hangout, etc.
8-8:30 pm- Get ready for bed, fill water bottles, go to bed cause 4 am comes mighty early.

A Day in the Life

Hey so digging in the site is well underway.Our team of 26 was divided into four groups who each work on a 5 meter by 5 meter square.  This may sound kinda small for 5 or more people to be working on but the soil here can be summed up by one word... Rocks.  It is tough going pick axing and scooping dirt out by buckets looking for hidden treasures.  And I dunno if you all know but Israel is HOT. We put up tarps to work mostly in the shade when we can... but coming from Canada... it is stinking hot, and I don't mean that metaphorically.  Couple dudes digging in the dirt all day don't smell the best on the bus ride home, sorry ladies.
So far we have uncovered the top of the wall we kinda knew would be in our area, and we have found the top of a pillar we were hoping would still be standing.  Oh and buckets and buckets of ceramic sherds, and small tesserae pieces, which all have to be cleaned by hand everyday in the evening.
All in all it is going very good, and I am posting some pictures soon with more to follow as we find more history and rocks.

Shalom
So we finally made it to Israel. Our flight left at 5 am Thursday morning, with a three and a half hour flight to Toronto.  We then had an 11 our overnight flight to Tel Aviv where we promptly waited for 7 hours in the airport for the rest of the team to arrive. We made it to Kabbutz Ein Gev at 9 pm Friday after 31 hours of traveling.
Israel is beautiful.  I will be posting pictures on my facebook page if you want to take a look.  The Sea of Galilee is amazing, and on Saturday we were able to tour around and see some of the sights.
We visited the "Heptepagon" (place of seven springs) and the site of 'beatitudes' the site dedicated to Jesus' sermon on the Mount found in Matt. 5:1-11. We then saw the ancient basilica for the multiplication of loaves and fish (Mk 6:30-44) and the basilica (with amazing mosaics) that commemorates it. We also visited Capernaum, Jesus' "home" during his ministry (Mark 2:1).  Where we saw the believed house of Peter where Jesus lodged (Mt. 8:14) and a ancient basilica that commemorates it. And we traveled to Kursi the spot where Jesus castes the demons into the swine (Mk 5:1)
I cannot do these sights justice in this here blog.  To be here in person and walk the land and see the sights that Jesus and so many that have gone before have is a very awakening experience.  It is very humbling and exciting all at the same time to see the history and the actual sights that I have heard so much about. There is so much history in this land that it causes you to take a metaphorical and physical step back at times.
We then followed it up with some briefing and then went for supper at a local restaurant here on the kibbutz, where I had some of the best fish ever.
Today we started bright and early.  The bus leaves at 4:45 am and you had better be on it.  The first day we are told is one of the hardest and least productive as you spend some time just getting organized and things set up.  However we were 'digging' (a relative term as there is so much rock in the ground that you really don't go very far with a pick axe) within two hours and we are well on our way.
Let me tell you though it is HOT.  I don't know what the exact temperature was but up there with no wind or natural cover, it was smoking hot.  The 25 min water breaks are mandatory and are always greatly appreciated I assure you.
These first few days were very inspiring and encouraging and believe it or not I look forward to digging in the rock tomorrow almost as much as I look forward to touring again on the weekend.
Cody

שלום ("Hello", "Peace" in Hebrew)
Well I am three days away from leaving for Israel and there is still so much to do.  I have to finish getting all my stuff packed and ready to go, I gotta finish up my readings and essay's for Dr. Chambers class, and I wanted to get my blog started.
Many people have asked me what exactly I am doing on this "archeological dig" in Israel, and there are many different parts to the answer.  It is part of a class I am taking, it is an interest I have, and I think mostly it is a exciting experience that I couldn't pass up.
I hope that through this blog I can stay connected with people back in Canada, but also that both myself and those reading can grow and learn from my experience in Israel. I plan to record and share some of the experiences, findings, learning, and general musings that I have while in Israel. 
I also plan to post pictures on "Facebook" as often as I can so if you want, check those out as well. Hopefully my netbook holds up over there and I have good internet connection.  
Until then, Blessings.