July 2008 Archives

Hi again.  Now I am no longer writing from Israel, but from my home office in Canada.  Many things have happened since I last made an entry.

To keep up with daily reporting, I need to go back to last Thursday, our last day of digging.  It was a bitter-sweet day in a way: sweet because the hard work and pain was coming to an end; and bitter for the same reasons.  It was great to get dirty, sweaty, and work through the pain of broken blisters, tired back, and the like.  Yet, it is also good to have rest from that.

That last day of work started with a call for wheelbarrows, as many heavy stones that another site had excavated had to be cleared.  I went with and we lined up like dump trucks waiting for our load.  What a load too. No wonder the wheelbarrows are so banged up, and I felt it after that in my back and shoulders.  One girl, Steph, got her finger caught under a rock in the process, and ended up blacking out for a time.  The trooper she is, she was back at it soon enough.

Then after breakfast, Dr. Schuler took those of us who were not coming back on a tour of what I believe is referred to as the South West church.  No excavation has been done on this site yet, but next year he has been given the go ahead to get at it.  This too would be a beautiful site to work at, with a stunning view.  If anyone is interested, maybe let me know, because I think Dr. Schuler is going to be in need of a good sized crew to keep working at the North East church, and start at the new site.

Our next interuption came as a result of photo taking while our group was together.  After this, there was still about 15 minutes of work that could have been done, but the group wasn't dispersing to their areas.  Instead, we began taking things down for the weekend and putting them away, so that nothing disappeared over the weekend.  That night the virtualdig site was down, so no chance enter a blog.

Friday saw us up and at em, leaving for our adventures in Jordan.  This involved a border crossing, which was by no means simple.  I had no troubles, but others did, and you can read about some of that in other blogs.  This is when I saw soldiers with machine guns, - and once in Jordan, a manned tank, under a sun shelter, ready to go.

We met our guide, Sammy.  Also, on our bus was a Tourist Police man. We drove to Jarash, an ancient and excavated Roman city, and saw the typical features that come to make up Roman cities, including things that are at Hippos.  The Temple pillars were still standing, as they were earthquake proof. Sammy proved this by shaking one of them, and sure enough, it was built to flex.  The city, like the others we had seen, was severely damaged in the same earthquake of 748,

The scenery in Jordan was much different than Israel, in that homes and businesses were very basic.  They are  all cement colors, and have rebar sticking up all over the place.  The conculsion I and some others arrived at was that was for later expansion, should another level be added later.  Pictures of King Hussein were in no shortage.  He must spend a lot of time in front of cameras, with many different poses.  Mosques were as plentiful there as churches are here.

Our next stop was Mt. Nebo, where Moses died, seeing the promised land, but never entering it.  The scenery was magnficent, in spite of heat haze, and we could see Jericho, and the Dead Sea, as well as the Jordan Valley.  This is no "big hill."  It is a mountain.

Then we went to St. George's Church in Madaba, where we say a Mosaic map of the Holy Land, dating from early years.  The detail was excellent, even though it is an ancient map, made as a floor mosaic.  This was an Orthodox church, and there didn't seem to be many churches anywhere.

We then drove the long distance to Petra, where we checked in late at a hotel, eating supper at 9pm, before going to bed.  The next morning, Sammy took us by foot to the entrance of the park, down the siq, first seeing the Treasury, which is amazing. Even more amazing in my opinion is the Monastary, which is through the city, and up 1000 flight of stairs.  Words cannot do these sites justice.  There were people all over selling everything to tourists at outrageous prices, but willing to barter.  Also they were selling donkey rides, camel rides, chariot rides, and horse back.  By the time the day was over, I had walked 17 km, over difficult terrain.  I returned to the hotel by 5pm, - exhausted.

The next day, Sun, July 13th, we went to Amman, and visited the Citadel, Amptitheater, and a few Archeological Museums. The bus broke a spring, and needed some repairs that left us stranded at a street corner in Amman.  Once that was taken care of, it was back to the border crossing, where we had a series of unexpected delays, before finally catching another bus back to the Kibbutz. We were very late, missed supper, and had many things to do.  For me, this including leading the Sunday worship service for the group.  Unfortunately, it wasn't out at the Sea, but in one of the dorms, as night had fallen.  Good byes were said, as we started packing, for our next day adventures.

This now brings us to the day of our departure, Mon, July 14th. 10 people were leaving, - 2 Americans and 8 Canadians, - and caught a bus from the Kibbutz to the airport in Tel Aviv.  We put our luggage in storage there, and caught a bus to Jerusalem, standing room only for the half hour ride.  At the bus station, we decided to take a taxis to the top of Mt. Olive.  A fist fight between cab drivers broke out in front of us, as they argued with each other about whose taxis should take us. Wow.

Once at the Mt, we saw the church that marks the spot where it is said Jesus ascended. There is even a foot print there. Then we saw the place where it is said Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer. I suggested that we pray it there as a group, which we did.  Then we made our way down, taking in a beautiful view of the city, including the Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock.  Our next stop was a the Garden of Gethsemene, and then into the city, to the Western Wall.

I went up the wall, perhaps thinking to say a prayer for world peace there.  No sooner had I walked up to it than a Jewish man came up and welcomed me.  He asked me where I was from.  He then asked for my mother's name, my wife's, my children's, - so I told him their first names.  He had me put my hand on the wall, put his hand on my head, and another on the wall, and started praying in Hebrew, ending with "Amen" which I too was to say.  Then he wanted money - for the children, or something like that. I went to give him some coins, but he said no, paper. I told him I could only give coins.  He said he could make change. I said do you want these coins or not. He took them. I left. I guess I bought a blessing.  The whole thing was "creepy" and I was glad to leave the wall.

We took a lunch break, and then on through a market area, where you can buy anything.  Then we made our way down what was thought to be the Via Delorosa, though it wasn't. Then we went to St. Anne's church, and the pool of Bethsadia, where Jesus healed the crippled man. Then we went to the church of the Holy Sepulchure.  What an amazing building.  Some of it dates back to Constantine, and I believe a lot of it to the Crusasders. It covers what is believed to be Mt. Calvary, and Jesus' tomb.  It was filled with pilgrims, many deeply moved to see the special sites.  The priests that run the church move people through quickly, giving others the chance to bow down and venerate.  This too was something I could not get into, as I could see many others were. Perhaps it is because of our teachings, and beliefs that objects aren't holy, but God is.  Others in our group may have felt different than I did on that.

We had a time for a bit of shopping, and then a long march back to the bus station. There we caught our bus early, so as to have seats back to the airport. Checking in and clearing passport control and customs is quite the process. Once more I had no trouble, but others in our group were called aside, and some had their bags searched.  However, we all made our flight.

The flight went faster because we had been up 20 hours by that point. Sleeping on the plane was no problem.  We went through customs in Toronto, said good bye to some, and then on to Edmonton.  Dave Kalmbach met me, and before long I was back home.  I had to have some heat on in the car, as the temperature was only 13 degrees.  Wow, does that feel good.

Perhaps I will still make more entries to share some further reflections on the whole adventure. D.S.

Today's highlights include taking my turn at a few duties.  The first was to carry the pottery buckets back up the hill.  Last week I may not have attempted it, but this week I have a lot more stamina, - at least in comparison.

The second thing was to be assigned to kitchen duty.  This involved helping the man in charge get things ready for the Americans.  After unloading some water jugs, me and one other, carried food, water, and plates to our compound, - which is an old military complex from the 40s or 50s or 60s.  Cleaning up there, and elsewhere in Israel, involves pouring water on everything, and then squeegeeing off the tables, and then the floors.  Our Israeli leader came and saw us pushing water out.  He said, you Americans don't know how to squeegee.  What you do is take a firm grip, turn backwards, and pull it hard across the floor, making your way to the doorway, and then out on to the ground.  I suspect he wishes that he had the same people everyday for helpers since he likely has to teach the Americans every day.  (By the way, Canadians qualify as Americans here, since we are all North Americans.)

Tonight we also had a lecture on Hippos Sussita itself.  It was interesting seeing areal  photos of the site.  Today's finds included an oil lamp with a cross engraved on  it.

So, one more day of digging.  Laundry day tomorrow too.  Then on Friday, we head to Jordan.  That should be very interesting.  I am glad that I took American money, because we can use that there.  Also, some tourist places have taken my Canadian, but not likely in Jordan.  We shall see.

Dr. Schuler said not to bring computers to Jordan, so I will be neglecting emails and blog updates on the weekend.  There may not be anytime to update until I get back, as early Monday we will leave for Tel Aviv, then Jerusalem, and back to Tel Aviv to catch our flight. 

Oh, and yesterday when I said it hit 93, it was actually 98.  I don't think today made it that warm, though it was warm.  - D.S.

Yes, this was the highlite, or should I say the lowlite, of the day.  We finished another back-breaking day at the site, and headed out as usual for the bus, only to arrive at the pick up spot, and no bus for over half an hour.  The heat was 93 degrees F, and most people were out of water.  Let me just say it was the far from the ideal situation.  At 12 noon the sun is right above, - so no shade anywhere.

The other thing was that back at the Kibbutz, the power went off.  It was bit worrisome, because  the cafeteria was quickly warming  up.  The good news is that it came back and stayed on after about 20 minutes.

2 more days of digging are left for the Canadians, and few others.  Everyone else is staying a month.  In our new area we are not finding much yet, but will soon be down to a level where we will be able to.  I spent most of the day empty buckets into a wheel barrel, and then dumping into the "abyss" - a steep valley, that if you went down, you wouldn't be able to stop.  It's entertaining to watch some of the boulders go. 

Dr. Chambers is close to arrangements to see Jerusalem.  The plan is to travel to Tel Aviv, pay to store our luggage there, hop a transport to Jerusalem, and then back in time to catch our flight.  Looks like things are working out - thanks be to God. D.S.

Today was up and at em at the dig site.  A lot of boulders and dirt moved.  Seems like the same old story.  I'm not as exhausted as I was last week, but tonight I am as ready for bed as I ever have been.  Perhaps it is because the heat seems to be going up.  I am preferring being inside with a bit of AC than outside.  Also, there wasn't much wind.

Today I did some laundry in the sea.  This was my first time.  It seemed to work good, and clothes dried fast,  Lots of people do it everyday.

Tonight there was a lecture from an Israeli, who must teach at the U of Haifa.  He spoke about Roman engineering.  Apparently, when there was no war to fight, the legions with their engineers were kept busy building.  Hence the theaters, aquaducts,  roadways, and arches.  It was quite facinating.  I would like to see more of the country, but the focus is on the dig.  Sometimes we find walls, and mosaics, an then there's lots of pottery to wash at the end of the day, just before devotions and supper.

Well, that's it for today.  Read some other blogs to find out more, if so interested. D.S.

Hi from Ein Gev again.  Today we went back to work as usual.  Things went much better for me after a previous week of conditioning and 2 days to rest up.  The trip here, the heat change, the time change, the food change, and the water drinking chanc on top of the intense physical workout on the mountain was just too much.  After a week, things went much better, with more stamina and tolerance.

Our group was assigned a new square today, in addition to the old.  For this, we received 2 new workers from another team - Jim Gimble who I met in 1999 at a S.S. workshop in Edmonton, and a good old boy named Jean, from Russelville Arkansas.  He's a retired Baptist minister, and quite colorful.  He helped the time pass much faster for me today.

Pastor Jim Rogers from St. Louis led a worship service after pottery cleaning.  Someone asked me what we do with the things we find.  Well, apparently they are studied to determine dating.  At the end of the season, its taken back up to the site and buried in a cistern.  Valuable things are of course kept.

Now we are looking forward to a trip to Jordan.  Apparently I can us U.S. funds, so glad I brought some. The shekel is no good there.

One thing I forgot to mention is Thursday laundry day.  Everyone's laundry is done together while we are at the site.  Then it's all laid out in a room.  Then it's free for all trying to find all your stuff.  Remarkably it works, though you may have to go back a few times to get all your stuff.  This next one I won't care, because I could use a little more room in my suitcase, and the dig t-shirts just don't come clean.  D.S.

Today started with our trip on the bus, first going to Bet She'an.  This is a remarkable place, with Roman, Byzantine and even Egyptian ruins.  There was a theater, bathhouse, agora, Roman Temple, and even Roman public lavatories.  This place too was destroyed in the same earthquake that ended Hippos in 748.

Our next stop was Ziporri, near Nazareth, and possibly a site where Jesus and Joseph could have been employed as carpenters in the 1st century.  We saw incredible mosaics, including what is known as "the face of the Mona Lisa in the Middle east."  There are over a million tiles, in 25 colors,  making a fabulous mosaic of the story of the Greek god Dyonesis, who gave wine to humanity.  This site also had a Crusader Tower, which we were able to climb.  Wow, what  a view from there.

Our last stop was right in Nazareth, to a holy site called  The Church of the Annunciation. It covers the ruins where it is believed Mary received the visit from the Angel Gabriel.  An Eastern European group was actually having a mass while we were there.  Also, every country in the world art work of their conception of Mary.  We saw the one from Canada, and the one from the U.S. is known for being hideous, called "Hollywood Mary."  I was most impressed with the one from China, where Mary had a Chinese look to her.

Returning home, some of us cooled off in the lake, and then we went to the Fish Restaurant, as the Kibbutz cafeteria is closed for the Sabbath.  Tomorrow we return to work, as Sunday is the beginning of the work week here.  That certainly is different. A  pastor from St. Louis will have a service in the evening, and I'm on deck for the Sunday after, when we intend to be in Jordan.

All in all it was a good day, and a good substitute to Jerusalem.  Dr. Chambers is still checking in to how we can yet go there on the day we fly out, as our flight from Tel Aviv isn't until midnight. The problem will be all our luggage, and what to do with it.

Thanks to those who emailed. They are nice to receive,  D.S. 

Today I stayed in bed until 6.  What a treat.  I made a cup of coffee, took some snack food for breakfast, and sat out by the sea.  What a treat. I wish I could do that every morning.

Then at 8am we boarded a bus. Our first stop as Gamla, north east of here.  It was a fortress town on a mountain, and destroyed by the Romans, with catapults.  A  replica is still there.  It is fascinating country.  The ruins boasted part of a watch tower, a place for ritual baths, and the oldest synagog in the country.  It was incredible.  The hike in was 45 minutes down, and 15 up, and the opposite on the way out.  And then there was a Byzatine church ruin where we parked.

Our next stop was Tel Dan.  This is further North, on the border to Lebanon, which we could see.  Here there are ruins dating back many centuries, to the Caananites and the Jews when they conquered this land.  This is also one of the sources of the Jordan, which comes down from melted snow on Mt. Hermon.  There were also signs of military outposts from the last 60 years, as apparently 130 meters of land on which the border had been drawn was being disputed.  This place was lush and green, which is something we don't see much here.

Tonight there is to be a  special supper for the Sabbath.  I will tell you about it after.  Tomorrow is another day of adventures in place of going to Jerusalem.  Again, I can tell you about them after.  D.S.

Though today is only Thursday, it is the end of our 5 day work week.  Saturday is the day of rest, and then Friday is also part of the weekend, going back to work on Sunday.  Today we has a bit of relief in that we stopped work early to listen to a lecture by Dr. Segal about some of the unique features  of Hippos.  There are many signs of both Greek and Roman construction and lay out for their cities.  It's hard to believe that the stone pavement we walk in on everyday was laid hundreds of years ago.  Dr. Schuler showed us the site of another church that the Israelis had one time hoped had also been a synagogue.  Turns out it wasn't, and so it may also be that work at Hippos will come to an end after next year.  It's interesting how religion and politics get involved with the progress of archeology.

This afternoon was spent as usual, since Jerusalem is off.  Dr. Chambers succeeded in planning an alternate trip to the north of here tomorrow.  There are 20 signed up. I will be able to tell you more about it after we come back (or else check his blog).  Food is going to be tricky on the weekend due to the Sabbath, and the eating area being closed.  However, I got spare food from home to tie me over in case.

I hope people are enjoying the blog.  If anyone wants to send me an email, its christlu@telusplanet.net. I won't promise a lengthy reply, since you can find out about me on the blog.

It is remarkable to be in this land where so much history took place, including the Ministry of our Savior.  D.S.

Hi again

Tomorrow after the dig we were suppose to go on our trip to Jerusalem.  Dr. Schuler called an emergency meeting, and informed us of the attack in Jerusalem.  He decided to cancel our trip there, and  I understand why.  Many college students here are under his supervision, and all of us are, because that's what we signed up for.  Many are  very upset, and for obvious reason.  Also, all our admissions and hotel rooms were  paid for, and we loose all that.  He is keeping the bus for Saturday, and planning some alternate sights for us to see.  Dr. Chambers is looking into what we can do on Friday, and also the possibility of going to Jerusalem still on the day we leave, July 14.  We will see how things work out.

It was hotter today, but I seemed to do a bit better, making it to 11am before I was beat.  This is better than when I started  working, petering out by  9:30am.  They say we are lucking out with early morning cloud cover.

Today a number of eagles were circling over the huge valley besides where we work. It was neat.  We just lowered our sight and exposed more of the wall today.  I will describe what we do like this: rock picking on the farm, except in extreme heat, and in a 10 x 5 patch, with 8 others, going down, and digging up the rocks.  We are layered with dust and grime by the end of the day.

Yesterday I met Dr. Segal who is in charge of the sight.  I told him that my name is Siegle.  He was very excited.  He said, "I thought this was a Christian group, and not Christians and Jews."  Then I told him that I wasn't  a Jew, which he found hard to believe with a name like Siegle.  The vowel differences in spellings mean nothing to him since Hebrew only has consonants.  He informed me that SGL means "those in charge of the Levites.'  The Levites were the top class, and those in charge of them were slightly higher.  I got him to write a few of these things down for me.

Other wise the days are routine - work, eat, swim, shower, relax, wash pottery, devotion, supper, email, get ready for bed.

I hope you are reading other blogs, because I think others are saying more.

I hope to let you know how alternate plans go instead.  I guess that's all part of being in this part of the world. Dr. Segal told me I am very fortunate to be from a peaceful country where wars have not been fought (except for 1812 he also pointed out) and that we should not take that for granted.  He's right.  D.S.

Hi Everyone

The Canadians in our group sent a petition to Dr. Schuler to have Canada off.  It didn't work, but everyone had a good laugh. 

Today on the dig we found a wall!  Dr. Schuler was quite thrilled.  This will hopefully give us a boost of energy to keep going, especially since the heat is suppose to return. I thought this was a joke, but it's true.

I learned two tricks of the trade to make it to the end of the day.  One is to use a wet bandana on my head.  The other is to be the last one to leave the site, because the walk down is horrible in the heat.  No shade or breeze.  Then if the bus isn't quite there, you have to suffer.  Better to wait until it is, but not too late that you miss it.

Tonight we learned that a marble column at the site was imported from the center of Egypt.  The expense to get that in there!

It's late now so off to bed for me. I hope to write more tomorrow.  D.S.