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.
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.
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