Day 10 - 11: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, back home

Oh, what a trip!

We're all back now, still trying to 'process' everything we saw, felt, heard, smelled. That'll take a few days.

On Saturday we drove from Jerusalem (this was the Sabbath, so the Orthodox were home while the Secular were out picnicing, hiking, etc.)...

...first to a hill overlooking Bethlehem and a field perhaps similar to where the shepherds were minding their flock... A Palestinian lady brought her small herd and a lamb, which all the women had to hold, and give a tip to the shepherd lady...

On to Bet Guvrin - some caves in soft limestone/ chalk that had been mined a long time ago. Discovered by a soldier who fell through an opening while on a night exercise.

To the Elah Valley where David slew Goliath. Gathered rocks in a river bed, had the teenagers reenact the rock throwing. (If they'd been Palestinians, would they have been arrested? ) And on to Bet Shemesh, where Samson and Delilah lived. Then to Tel Aviv... mainly in the old section, and in the old sea port of Jaffa. Pretty, small port. And had a Palestinian/ Lebanese meal. Either you loved it (very tasty, lots of different savories, spices, etc.) or hated it (problematic cleanliness - I'd venture to say more in our imagination). No one got sick, that I know of. More depends on what you're used to.

Then back in the sardine can for the overnight flight to Newark. Stand in line after line after line there. And back in a smaller can for the flight to Dallas. HOME! There is no place like it... perhaps Jerusalem, eventually.

Here's the web site for more pics (if you can stay awake for even more...)

http://cid-f4486a935d4a5aa2.photos.live.com/summary.aspx?sa=751499131

Thanks to each of you for bearing with this, and I hope you've enjoyed travelling with the Crossroads group. I don't think there will be any more posts for this series, but if something happens regarding the trip, I'LL BE BACK!!!!

Greg