Feb 17th Beth Shean, the Jordan, En GeV, and the adventure continues

Today we leave the Kibutz. After an early 6:00am wake up call (somebody made a mistake) and another interesting breakfast, I decided if I could eat fish yesterday I could try the funny pink fish and smoked herring served at breakfast! It was actually quite good. Paul and I had a few minutes to walk to the lake and time to sit on our little porch and relax before we had to get on the bus. That was nice. We also had to finish off the little bit of wine we couldn't bring with us.

We are leaving the Ein Gev. It is a misty morning and the forecast is for snow later in the week! When it snows here everything stops, so Stephen is trying to rejig our schedule. Our Korean, Easter, confessed that she had prayed for adventure! Joanna led morning prayer. My emotions are on the edge and tears come too easily. Not sure what is going on in me.

Our first stop is Beth Shean. This is an example of a true decapolis, the only one on this side of the Jordan. The city was destroyed by an earthquake about 800AD. Excavation began in the 1980's.

It was very impressive.

There would have been a Philistine city on the top of the hill in 1500BC. This is where Saul's body was hung on the walls of the city after he died in battle.

The entrance to the theatre.

There would have been two more levels of seats.

There would have been a Philistine city on the top of the hill in 1500BC. This is where Saul's body was hung on the walls of the city after he died in battle. 1Samuel 31 'When the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men set out, travelled all night long, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-Shan.'

The city underwent various levels from Greek to Roman to Byzantine, Christian Romans. The city
has the theatre, Roman baths, what looks like a stadium and a place for the gladiatorial games.

Back on the bus about 10am. By 11:30 we were at the Jordan River, a site that has recently been
opened to tourists. How could we not put our feet in the water!

By 12:30 we were at the En GeV Nature Reserve. What an interesting hike to see David's Waterfall.

There were young Jewish boys running all over around the falls. The girls were more sedate. One lovely  group of girls said hello as we walked by. I said shalom and they were pleased and laughed. 

This is the region Saul would have been pursuing David. 1Samuel 24 tells of a somewhat humorous incident where Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself and it happens to be the cave in which David is hiding. David refuses to lay hands on the Lord's anointed.


1:45 back on the bus to go to Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, but the adventures continue. A clamp on the bus broke and we were stranded for two hours waiting for help.

On the shores of the Dead Sea. Qumran will have to wait. No lunch today. People shared any food that they had brought.

A much needed rest stop.

Clamp repaired and we are on our way to Jerusalem! We begin the ascent to the Holy City. A beautiful sunset over the mountains, Bedoins and sheep along the way.

We arrive at our lovely hotel, Pontifical Institute of Notre Dame  of Jerusalem Center. It is like a castle and Paul and I are blessed with a balcony off our room.

Dinner at 7:00pm, though we started a little earlier.

A walk to the Western or Wailing Wall. It is a beautiful city from what we have seen. So much stone!

Wine and cheese with Vanessa and Celine in the hotel's wine bar and then off to bed. So tired.