Here we are in Israel, population 8 million. 6.5 million are Jews, 1.3 million are Arabs, 100,000 are Christians, leaving the balance as miscellaneous. The country is really small; only 60 miles wide by 300 miles long. They describe themselves as a "good country in a bad neighborhood".
We docked in Haifa, a port city towards the north of the country on the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa has a modernistic city hall that looks like it should be in Dubai.
We expected Israel to be mostly desert, but to our surprise, this part of Israel, the North, is quite lush. Olive groves, banana plantations, vegetable farms, wheat farms, were abundant. We were also surprised by how hilly it is. There is very little level ground. Although everything in the Bible is called a mount, by our standards they would be modest hills at best.
We had an Israeli guide on our bus tour today, but had to take on a Palestinian guide when we crossed the check point into Bethlehem which is in Palestine. The two guides appear to be really good friends (big hugs). So much for the conflict.
It all began here.
We walked through Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity. The church is built over the manger where Jesus was born. The manger was, in fact, a grotto or cave in the hillside, as were many mangers at that time.
The entrance to the church is a low doorway, to control the crowds as well as for security.
Down the steps to the grotto.
Many pilgrims come to the Holy Land. This group is having mass at the grotto.
Our guide is carefully explaining the mosaics in this centuries old church. Someone with a very short attention span wasn't paying too much attention.
Off to Jerusalem.
We docked in Haifa, a port city towards the north of the country on the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa has a modernistic city hall that looks like it should be in Dubai.
We expected Israel to be mostly desert, but to our surprise, this part of Israel, the North, is quite lush. Olive groves, banana plantations, vegetable farms, wheat farms, were abundant. We were also surprised by how hilly it is. There is very little level ground. Although everything in the Bible is called a mount, by our standards they would be modest hills at best.
We had an Israeli guide on our bus tour today, but had to take on a Palestinian guide when we crossed the check point into Bethlehem which is in Palestine. The two guides appear to be really good friends (big hugs). So much for the conflict.
It all began here.
We walked through Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity. The church is built over the manger where Jesus was born. The manger was, in fact, a grotto or cave in the hillside, as were many mangers at that time.
The entrance to the church is a low doorway, to control the crowds as well as for security.
Down the steps to the grotto.
Many pilgrims come to the Holy Land. This group is having mass at the grotto.
Our guide is carefully explaining the mosaics in this centuries old church. Someone with a very short attention span wasn't paying too much attention.
Off to Jerusalem.
Maybe Peggy is homesick?? Planning her vegetable garden?? See you very soon!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures & links with the history of the Holy Land. You are so lucky to be there...along with Eygpt the Holy Land is on my 'bucket list'.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday George!
Cheers Susan
Thanks Susan.
DeleteGeorge.