The rest of Israel and Jordan

So I ended up never having a chance to use the internet the rest of the trip, but I just wanted to quickly right down the places we went and what we saw, mainly for me so that I don't forget it.

3/10. We flew to Eilat in Israel and then crossed the border into Jordan to the city of Aqaba. Again, both getting on the flight in TLV and leaving Israel I had lots of difficulties with security and letting me through. They are very, very cautious in Israel and with my long hair that looks nothing like my passport picture and my beat up heavily used passport I was a red flag.

We took a tour and hiked around Petra. It was simply amazing. One of the highlights of the whole trip. Cool slot canyons ending up at the Treasury building, carved out of stone and just awe inspiring. But we also hiked around to lots of the other buildings carved out of stone. Coming back across the border we came in right after the border was supposed to be closed (8pm) but we were able to get through and they luckily held the plane for us in Eilat so that we were able to make it back to TLV to meet up with the rest of our group.

3/11 Make our way to Haiffa. Stop at Ceasaria (old greco-roman city), Megiddo (several temples including one of solomon's temples, archaeological digs, reportedly the site of the future armaggedon); Nazareteh Church where assumption of Mary supposedly occurred. Went out for some drinks with Trish, Liz, Sara, Dianne, and Dad at the 3 bears pub. Fun night

3/12 Bahai gardens from bahai relgion. Zippori ruins with nice mosaics. Akko, a fortified crusader capitol. Visit Rosh Hanikra on border with Lebanon where there are some cool sea grottoes. Overnight at Kibbutz on sea of galilea

3/13 Tel hazor--anciet city being excavated. Visit Caesarea philippi which is at the head of the jordan river. Grottoes there and pagan temples, and Paul apparently walked by there. Also where Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. Drove around the Golan Heights (used to be syria and lebanon) and visited an old syrian bunker. Visited the top of a volcano and israeli fortification. Visited Tabgha, the traditional site of the multiplication of loaves of bread and fish.

3/14 Visit a 2000 year old fishing boat removed from the mud of the sea of galilee. Visited Capernaum, the town of Jesus and where Peter's house had been. Visited the mount of the beatitudes where the believe the sermon on the mount was given. Had some fresh fish on the shores of the galilee. Visit spot where it is possible Jesus told men to throw their nets to the right side of the boat. Boat ride across the sea of galilee. Went up some hill (don't remember the significance) where there was a church on top.

3/15 Baptized dad at Yardenit along the Jordan river in a very touching ceremony complete with great singing by Scott and company. Visited Bet Shean, a roman type sin city. Went to the Jordan Desert and visited Qumran, where the dead sea scrolls were found in caves. Visited a factory that makes dead sea skin products and bought some stuff for mom. Drove by Ein Gedi, but didn't get to hike there sadly b/c the sandstorm (shiraz (sp?)) was to intense. Hotel on beach of dead see, in sandstorm. The lowest point on earth and saltiest lake. Floated in the indoor spa. Karaoke/dance/dj night w/ local israelis. Tons of fun!! Think wedding crashers/big fat greek wedding type dancing. Liz and I stayed out late and then Arya, our tour guide, took us out for beers

3/16 Floating in dead sea. Such an AWESOME feeling. Like defying gravity on the moon or something. Tour of Masada, the stronghold of Jewish zealots who were the last to fall to the roman legions and was also where herod the great's palace was. Palace is up on this huge, high mesa. On hike down we some some Ibex (mountain goat type thing). Overnight in Arad City.

3/17 Visited ruins of Arad where Canaanite citw as 3000BC and solomon 1000bc. Visit Bedouin culture center and have tea in a Bedouin tent. Through west bank into Jerusalem where we got a view of temple mount and the old city. Visited a museum to see model of the ancient city. Freezing!

3/18 Whole day touring jerusalem. Sick to my stomach a bit. First drove around entire walled city. Visited western and southern wall. Walked through jewish quarter. Did an Aliyah at S. wall by micvah "blvd" Visited the burned house and 4-story 7000 sq ft. house buried underground that was build during Jesus' time. Visited temple mount.

3/19 Visited Holocaust museum and cool children's memorial (mirrors and candles) Visit St. Peter's chruch which is where Jesus was held prisoner at Caiaphas' palace. Climbed steps Jesus would have climbed. Had a communion service in some tomb area. Visited a street market and walked through a Hassidic Jewish neighborhood

3/20 Trip to west bank and Bethlehem. Visit shepherd's field and church of the nativity. Back in Jerusalem, walk the top of the wall. Attend mass at Holy Sepulchre church. Crazy route to get to the church. It was just myself, my dad, and the Finks that went. The experience getting there was fun. Nice service as well. Attended a traditional Jewish dance performance, and of course I went on stage to dance. Party night on the town with Liz and Diane. Saw the end of UNI beating Kansas in the big dance!!

3/21 Visit Church of the holy sepulchre which is on the place Jesus was likely crucified at gogotha and where his tomb was likely to be. Shopping in Muslim quarter. Visit temple institute which is where Jews are preparing stuff for if they can build a new temple on the temple mount. Visit old city of David. Went in under ground tunnels and then walked through Hezekiah's tunnel in the dark and water, which was lots of fun.

3/22 Prayed at the wailing wall. Some more touring of Jerusalem. Night tour under the wall, which was quite awesome. History of the city all came together. Went out partying with the crowd (Craig, Liz, Dianne, Dad, Scott, Lou, Trish, Sara, and Arya). Eventually all the remained was me, liz, dad, and arya, then just me and liz and Arya and then just me and Liz. We stayed up all night and arrived back at the hotel around 9am.

3/23 Relaxing day in Jerusalem. Nice lunch. Drive to Tel Aviv and then fly back to Denver. Several people on the trip got a nasty stomach bug that passed quickly through our group. Luckily I didn't get it! My theory was that since all the people out partying that night didn't get it but everyone else did, that the copious amounts of alcohol in our stomachs killed it. Although we were out till the next morning and should have been run down and been the ones to get sick, all the OH killed the bug. Arrived in Denver and Estes Park to almost 2 feet of snow!