In Israel and love it!

I missed blogging yesterday because of technical issues but back on. We had a long day yesterday crossing the border from Jordan to Israel. We crossed with a friend we made on the dig called 007, aka Roger Moore. The three of us were dropped off by the 45 seater bus that transported us during the dig. The whole process took 2 hours. On the Jordan side you pay 10JD to get you passport stamped, 15JD for both of us to catch the bus across 2km of no mans land. The video is of the crossing and a look at the mighty Jordan River. On the Israeli side we went through three security checks while you follow your bags that are taken off you and go through x-rays and bomb dogs and probably other things as well. Thankfully the three of us got in the wrong line and ended up being fast tracked missing the usual 15 minute question time of why are you coming to Israel, who you're staying with etc. They don't stamp your passport with a visa but give you card which is the visa. When I reached the last check point I opened my passport and the card wasn't there. The lady behind the screen got quite animated. With her permission I went back the way I came and couldn't find it. Thankfully Helen spotted it on the floor being trampled on by the crowds following so in the end, i entered Israel easily. We were supposed to catch a bus but couldn't find anyone who knew about what we were asking for, so in the end we joined 007 in catching a shuttle. However, we didn't know that the shuttles don't leave until they are full. 45 minutes later with it sweltering hot with an Orthodox Priest, two Orthodox Nuns, two Muslim women, and a Palestinian man who didn't really want to sit beside the priest, the driver came and said that if we all contributed to pay for the last fare we would go, so 5 shekles each was a good deal. 3 shekels are about $1NZ.

We set out for the long climb out of the valley to Jerusalem. The first few kms it was a wasteland of salty desert, but as we got higher vegetation began to appear. Just out of Jerusalem we got pulled over by the Customs Police who apparrently had been chasing us. They wanted to know who owned the bags in the back. There was one small bag no one owned up too that they took, plus the Palestinian man. We set off again, through a major checkpoint at the security wall, and into Jerusalem. We hit the people and traffic after Friday prayers and it took about 45 minutes to do 3kms, and while were were inching our way forward, the guy who the customs police took earlier, got back on board. The Orthodox Priest crossed himself, which he actually did a lot of when I come to think of it. We were finally dropped off at Damascus gate. We said farewell to 007 who was going to catch a taxi, and walked down the street a bit until we met our host Sheryl walking to meet us.

Jerry and Sheryl live in a settlement on the hills within sight of Jeruslem about 20-30 minutes out. A very lovely place and surrondings. Our first impressions of Israel after Jordan. Clean, tidy, green with trees, birds - almost totally abscent in Jordan. We actually feel that a stress has been lifted - it has a sense of peace.

Today Sheryl took us to the old city and we spent the day walking around with her guidance. It was great. The thing that struck me the most is how small the area is where some of the most significant things of the Christian faith happened. Gethsemane is only 300 metres from the city wall. So some pictures of our day.

Picture 1: The towers of Damscus Gate

Picture 2: Walking in old Jerusalem

Picture 3: Lion gate

Picture 4: In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Picture 5: Helen in the Garden of Gethsemane with a 2,000 old olive tree

Picture 6: Entering the Garden Tomb

Picture 7: Supposedly where Jesus rose from the dead in the garden Tomb, in competition with the Church of the Holy Sepluchre.

We also went to the Wailing Wall but because of it being the Sabbath respected the signs that said not to take pictures.

We are going to spend another day in the old city during the week. Tomorrow Jerry is taking us to the Dead Sea, Engedi, Qumran and Masada. Good way to do a Sunday!