Good morning to All:
It is Friday morning at 6:30 and we are just waking up to our last day in Israel. It has been an amazing ride for us both but we now look forward to the next leg of our journey.
Last night the school had a ceremony and dinner for our class. There were 27 of us from all around the world...Australia, China, South Korea, Tanzania, Nigeria, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Canada, Great Britain and of course the U.S. Three of our contingency are from West Point. The school sends a few students every year to this program. We were all age groups and professional levels from freshman in college to PhDs teaching in college. Galilee College gave all of us an education and experience that will stay with us forever....from the first lecturer to standing inside the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (it has been closed to nonMuslims for almost 10 years so this was actually quite amazing and only happened because of someone's connections, other groups were very puzzled about how we got in), this is a program I would recommend to anyone who think they understand the complex issues facing Israel today......
Well folks, there is just so much to tell and show but that will be saved for when we return. For now we say Shalom until we see each other again in September...God Bless.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
It's Almost Over...
Hello Hello:
We are beginning our last week here in Israel with a day off and we are grateful. We have literally been on the move with no time off since the study program started. Yesterday we had a whole day of a study tour, which included the Golan Heights and the borders of Syria and Lebanon.It helps to understand the border conflicts better when you can see what the terrain and security issues are. So, Mel and I have actually traveled the whole country except for the extreme south....
We are missing everyone and we miss some good old fashioned american cuisine....grease and all. The "med diet" has consisted of a whole lot of carbs (white...white potatos and white rice, white bread) which is served with every meal. Yes there is hummus but that also is served with every meal. The veggies have been really nothing more than peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, usually pickled. We enjoy these things but not breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fruit has also been limited so we are both craving bananas. Israel grows them but we have yet to find a ripe one. Some of the problem is that we are basically eating cafeteria food which is never good in any country....
This is our last week here in Israel so there will only be one more post....we have felt safe here the whole time even though in Ashkelon the military presence was strong but more about that when we see you all in September. Love to all from the Galilee...
Peace
We are beginning our last week here in Israel with a day off and we are grateful. We have literally been on the move with no time off since the study program started. Yesterday we had a whole day of a study tour, which included the Golan Heights and the borders of Syria and Lebanon.It helps to understand the border conflicts better when you can see what the terrain and security issues are. So, Mel and I have actually traveled the whole country except for the extreme south....
We are missing everyone and we miss some good old fashioned american cuisine....grease and all. The "med diet" has consisted of a whole lot of carbs (white...white potatos and white rice, white bread) which is served with every meal. Yes there is hummus but that also is served with every meal. The veggies have been really nothing more than peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, usually pickled. We enjoy these things but not breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fruit has also been limited so we are both craving bananas. Israel grows them but we have yet to find a ripe one. Some of the problem is that we are basically eating cafeteria food which is never good in any country....
This is our last week here in Israel so there will only be one more post....we have felt safe here the whole time even though in Ashkelon the military presence was strong but more about that when we see you all in September. Love to all from the Galilee...
Peace
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Jerusalem
Shabbot Shalom as they say here...
Wow, we have had a whirlwind the last few days. After a week and a half of some very intense lectures, we have traveled and seen much. Last week was the Galilee and yesterday we did Masada, the Dead Sea and Qumran. Today we went into the West Bank to see Bethlehem and then to the Old City and walked the De La Rosa. Tomorrow we will spend some time at the Dome of the Rock and then back to lectures.
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I woke up early this morning and was met by a beautiful morning just breaking over the Jerusalem. We are staying at Hebrew University on Mount Scopus so the views are breathtaking.
As we were listening to a tour guide explain the views from the Mount of Olives someone asked me to take their picture so I thought I'd share it with you all....
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Until next time....peace and love from the Holy Land....
Wow, we have had a whirlwind the last few days. After a week and a half of some very intense lectures, we have traveled and seen much. Last week was the Galilee and yesterday we did Masada, the Dead Sea and Qumran. Today we went into the West Bank to see Bethlehem and then to the Old City and walked the De La Rosa. Tomorrow we will spend some time at the Dome of the Rock and then back to lectures.
As we were listening to a tour guide explain the views from the Mount of Olives someone asked me to take their picture so I thought I'd share it with you all....
Until next time....peace and love from the Holy Land....
Friday, July 8, 2011
In the Galilee
Shabbot Shalom !!!!
Greetings from Kibbutz Miza from the Galilee. We arrived here last Sunday afternoon and have been going ever since. Our classes run from 8 or so in the morning to 6 at night with a lunch break thrown in. Our only day off will be on the 24th of this month. Sounds intense and it is but in a real good way. The caliber of faculty and students are phenominal. We are learning so much about the history and perspective of both the Jews and the Palestinians who live in this much loved, much fought over land.
Tonight we are going to visit a Druze village and tomorrow we are off to Nazareth and the Sea of Galiliee. The curriculum is wonderful. Besides lectures by some very impressive scholars, the school has many trips planned for us. We visited the Sharon Perez Peace Center this past Tuesday and will be in Jerusalem next Friday for 5 days. We will ahve many stories and adventures to bore all of you with for quite awhile.
So, until next time from this part of the world, Shalom.
Pat
Greetings from Kibbutz Miza from the Galilee. We arrived here last Sunday afternoon and have been going ever since. Our classes run from 8 or so in the morning to 6 at night with a lunch break thrown in. Our only day off will be on the 24th of this month. Sounds intense and it is but in a real good way. The caliber of faculty and students are phenominal. We are learning so much about the history and perspective of both the Jews and the Palestinians who live in this much loved, much fought over land.
Tonight we are going to visit a Druze village and tomorrow we are off to Nazareth and the Sea of Galiliee. The curriculum is wonderful. Besides lectures by some very impressive scholars, the school has many trips planned for us. We visited the Sharon Perez Peace Center this past Tuesday and will be in Jerusalem next Friday for 5 days. We will ahve many stories and adventures to bore all of you with for quite awhile.
So, until next time from this part of the world, Shalom.
Pat
Saturday, July 2, 2011
On to Galilee...
Shalom:
Good morning on this beautiful Sunday. Mel and I walked the beach early this am for one last dip in the sea and one last look at the skyline.....we are on our way to the Institute and kibbutz this afternoon. Don't know what kind of internet connection there will be so this may be it for awhile.....the program looks very exciting and we are both looking forward to it.....
We walked to Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew) yesterday...it's south along the coast....very cool to walk in this very old city...Jaffa has one of the oldest working ports in the world.....Tel Aviv has been a wonderful place to relax and prepare for the next step...glad we have been able to spend some time here.
Someone please give my Mom a big hug for me...she doesn't have access to this blog and I have only talked with her twice...give her our love....Peace.
Good morning on this beautiful Sunday. Mel and I walked the beach early this am for one last dip in the sea and one last look at the skyline.....we are on our way to the Institute and kibbutz this afternoon. Don't know what kind of internet connection there will be so this may be it for awhile.....the program looks very exciting and we are both looking forward to it.....
We walked to Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew) yesterday...it's south along the coast....very cool to walk in this very old city...Jaffa has one of the oldest working ports in the world.....Tel Aviv has been a wonderful place to relax and prepare for the next step...glad we have been able to spend some time here.
Someone please give my Mom a big hug for me...she doesn't have access to this blog and I have only talked with her twice...give her our love....Peace.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Trip to Caesarea
Shalom to All:
Just a note with some pics....we did a tour of Caesarea and Acre yesterday. Learned quite a bit and took lots of photos.....we are starting to gear up for school...lots of reading to do before we arrive...still have time to go to the beach and enjoy the warm waters (and watching out for mammoth jellyfish) though...
Love to you all
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This was taken from our hotel patio....
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These are some of the ruins of king Herod's Caesarea. To the left is the sea and his palace
We will be going to Jaffa this week as well..it is just south of Tel Aviv. In fact, they really are one city. Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in the world...maybe you will remember the story of Jonah....anyway, you are in our prayers and we miss you all....Shalom
Just a note with some pics....we did a tour of Caesarea and Acre yesterday. Learned quite a bit and took lots of photos.....we are starting to gear up for school...lots of reading to do before we arrive...still have time to go to the beach and enjoy the warm waters (and watching out for mammoth jellyfish) though...
Love to you all
We will be going to Jaffa this week as well..it is just south of Tel Aviv. In fact, they really are one city. Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in the world...maybe you will remember the story of Jonah....anyway, you are in our prayers and we miss you all....Shalom
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Goodbye Ashkelon, hello Tel Aviv!!!
Shalom to all our friends and family:
Today we have made our way to our hotel in Tel Aviv for a week of much deserved rest and relaxation. Although the excavation was a huge experience and we do have some great stories to tell, our bodies feel like the 50 year olds they are. So time to heal the muscle srains, decompress, and gear up for northern Israel.
Right now I am looking out our patio window which overlooks the sea. The beach is literally across the street from us and we can't wait to sit on our porch tonight to view an absolutely gorgeous sunset.
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Okay so now I am able to download some pics because I am on an actual internet service...the first pic is taken at Ashkelon National Park, which is where we were digging at. Melanie is walking with some others as we are given a tour of the Canaanite gate of Ashkelon, which was uncovered over 20 years ago.
the second pic is of Melanie in Jerusalem as we climbed the outer wall of the Old City. Silwan is seen behind her. The third pic is of a double rainbow over Lake Linnhe from our hotel window in the Highlands....so as your can see, we really are traveling (and very sore) Pilgrims..........until next time....Peace.
Today we have made our way to our hotel in Tel Aviv for a week of much deserved rest and relaxation. Although the excavation was a huge experience and we do have some great stories to tell, our bodies feel like the 50 year olds they are. So time to heal the muscle srains, decompress, and gear up for northern Israel.
Right now I am looking out our patio window which overlooks the sea. The beach is literally across the street from us and we can't wait to sit on our porch tonight to view an absolutely gorgeous sunset.
Okay so now I am able to download some pics because I am on an actual internet service...the first pic is taken at Ashkelon National Park, which is where we were digging at. Melanie is walking with some others as we are given a tour of the Canaanite gate of Ashkelon, which was uncovered over 20 years ago.
the second pic is of Melanie in Jerusalem as we climbed the outer wall of the Old City. Silwan is seen behind her. The third pic is of a double rainbow over Lake Linnhe from our hotel window in the Highlands....so as your can see, we really are traveling (and very sore) Pilgrims..........until next time....Peace.
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