By the time we reached the bus, we were all tired and hungry. We left Jordan early that morning and after that harrowing ride and process through the border terminals, everyone was thankful for arriving to the other side safely.

The trip to into the city showed just how differently geo-political climate can affect the people and the land. The outskirts of Amman was mostly flat plains of dry soil, occasional olive groves scattered haphazardly, and imposing, solitary structures that rose from the ground at intervals, breaking the monotony.

Our Jordanian tour guide, though friendly enough, seemed often...jittery. I remember thinking when we first arrived in Jordan, how bleak it seemed compared to the grand names and titles he kept using in his running commentaries of the places we had gone, such as "the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan", "Her Majesty Queen -", "His Royal Highness King -", and such, and such.

Strangely i thought, you began that ride by standing up and deliberately, carefully counting the number of passengers as if memorizing each of our faces. It seemed that it was only after you've satisfied yourself by committing us to memory that you began to say the expected niceties and introduced yourself and our bus driver. You assigned a count-off and requested each of us to memorize our respective number, and the person whose number followed us. That way, we would always be aware of who was missing, just in case. I have not been on many tours in my lifetime, but it was the first time i've seen a tour guide do this. Good idea, i thought.

Unlike our Jordanian tour guide, who often stood up to address us when we passed a point of interest, you sat with your back to us throughout most of the ride while talking through the mic. This actually gave us the luxury of looking at what you were talking about instead of making us feel the need to look at the speaker, if only to be polite.

Here the landscape began to gradually change. You lightly tapped the microphone with a steady beat each time you wanted our attention on something you had to say. You pointed out the hills on either side of the bus, stating the location and significance of the famed territories of Edom and Moab. I scanned my brain on whatever information i can remember on old testament bible history. I looked at the mountains before me and observed some rock and cave formations. I thought of bronze and iron age foot soldiers going to war with their encampments and hiding places in these lands.

Moving forward, there were now more lush signs of life. The hills became spotted with greens and browns. The plains now showed plots of green fields. Clearly, we have started to reach civilization.

You began to relay to us the story of Israel's rebirth -- the steady return of Jewish settlers (including yourself), the kibbutz lifestyle, and the eventual growth and improvements compared to the way it was before. You also told us of the problems it has been encountering with declining water levels in the lake and the use of water recycling in recent years. I can feel the deep dedication you had the country of your heritage, and the passion you had for what you did. I admired it.

I continued to look outside and thought of the constant rise and fall of kingdoms that was entwined in religiosity. I though of the constant transformations Israel underwent throughout history that led her to this point in time. Just then, in the middle of my reverie, we came to a halt. We were to have lunch in McDonald's.

---Original unedited manuscript "Remembering Israel"

Another beautiful post. Can't wait for the next story. Thank you, beautiful!

hey (((lu)))

thank you for visiting again

mountains of Moab and Edom...












The Hebrew word Edom means "red", and the name was later given to Esau, the elder son of the Hebrew patriarch Isaac, because he was born "red all over".Later, as a young adult, he ate "red pottage", a term the writer used in irony, reinforcing Esau's second name. The Tanakh and the New Testament both describe the Edomites as descendants of Esau.

The Edomites' original country, according to the Tanakh, stretched from the Sinai peninsula as far as Kadesh Barnea. Southward it reached as far as Eilat, which was the seaport of Edom. On the north of Edom was the territory of Moab. The boundary between Moab and Edom was the Wadi Zered.

According to Genesis, Esau's descendants settled in this land after displacing the Horites. It was also called the land of Seir; Mount Seir appears to have been strongly identified with them and may have been a cultic site. In the time of Amaziah (838 BC), Selah (Petra) was its principal stronghold, Eilat and Ezion-geber its seaports.

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According to the biblical account, Moab and Ammon were born to Lot and Lot's elder and younger daughters, respectively, in the aftermath of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible refers to both the Moabites and Ammonites as Lot's sons, born of incest with his daughters Genesis 19:37-38

The Israelites, in entering the "promised land", did not pass through the land of the Moabites (Judges 11:18), but conquered Sihon's kingdom and his capital at Heshbon. After the conquest of Canaan the relations of Moab with Israel were of a mixed character, sometimes warlike and sometimes peaceable.

By his descent from Ruth, David may be said to have had Moabite blood in his veins. He committed his parents to the protection of the king of Moab (who may have been his kinsman), when hard pressed by King Saul. (1 Samuel 22:3,4) But here all friendly relations stop forever. The next time the name is mentioned is in the account of David's war, who made the Moabites tributary. Moab may have been under the rule of an Israelite governor during this period; among the exiles who returned to Judea from Babylonia were a clan descended from Pahath-Moab, whose name means "ruler of Moab".

entering civilization...

I would like us to remember ALL the human beings in ALL the countries of the middles east. Love and peace to ALL

Old Jerusalem, Via Dolorosa - station I-IX ; early morning



















































Church of the Holy Sepulchre - plaza, station 10-14 ; mid-day

I walked down the stone steps that brought me to the covered walkway where you waited. There was a small atrium filled with potted plants. I started to ask what you called me for, when you motioned me to keep quiet, putting your two fingers near your mouth. I cautiously walked nearer, curious as to what you wanted to show me.

You pointed to a large butterfly resting languidly on one of the taller plants. I smiled sheepishly at your gesture, but appreciated it nonetheless. Not wanting an awkward silence to fall upon us, i asked how long you had been a tour guide for. Your answer did not matter to me, i just wanted to start a conversation. You asked why i did not join in the mass upstairs. I was not catholic, i said. I used to be, but things had changed.

You nodded as if you understood everything i meant by that. So i asked, "What about you?" You proceeded to tell me how you were a Messianic Jew, and explained to me that although you were born and raised into Jewish customs and traditions, an event during the war made you realize the reality of Jesus. Since then, you had devoted much of your life educating yourself and others on the differences of the Jewish belief from that of Christ's life and teachings.

You spoke of family, how many times you had "discussions" about these differences. Your father-in-law, a respected elder in your kibbutz, was especially one who often went toe-to-toe with you in these matters. Judging by the examples of topics you talked about, it seemed to me you held your ground during these talks.

We worked our way across the the courtyard and we both sat on the flower box lining the bottom of the wall. It wasn't your first time to accompany a group from my country, so i asked if you knew which one of the tiled frames was in Filipino. You didn't, so i pointed it out and read it to you.

Just then, you took out a picture from your wallet and showed me your wife and your children. I thought she was beautiful, and you make a happy family. You then recounted fondly what your children did, and how you and your wife met. I thought it interesting that you mentioned how differently you preferred to spend vacations compared to her. Where you preferred the outdoors, sleeping under the stars, she liked the city life and staying in nice hotels. I understood both concepts and told you why.

We continued our conversation on an assortment of topics. I enjoyed the things you had to say and learning about the religion and politics in Israel. It was the first time that i heard of entry citizenship being based on religious affiliation. As you were telling me about the issues you felt against some islamic beliefs, when the rest of the group started filling the courtyard. I looked around and saw my parents looking for me. I took my leave and walked away.

-- original unedited manuscript "Remembering Israel"


This one goes out to someone special.
Yeah, you know who you are... Hope you like it ;)
Thanks for making a girl smile from the inside.

We passed several roadsigns with arrows pointing to the directions of familiar places -- Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jericho, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Megiddo. And as with every place you travel to, there are some idiosyncrasies in their street signs. Here, the names of streets and towns are in three languages, English, Hebrew, and Arabic. The strangest street name i saw was Zzyzx; this was the only sign with no translation.

I was too busy taking in all the information i saw as is, i did not even make any effort to find out what the itinerary was for the day. As we entered through a residencial community, i saw what i thought to be a quintessential middle-aged Jewish man waiting on a bench by the bus stop. He had on a black top hat, glasses, a full beard and mustache. He wore a white, collared polo, black necktie, black trench coat, black pants and black leather shoes. To finish, he was also carrying a black briefcase. I thought it strange that he was the only pedestrian we encountered there.

Continuing on, we began to see commercial buildings, boutiques, delivery vans, billboards. What i saw was so far removed from the environment we had just left in Jordan and the desert, that as you were announcing something when we neared our destination, i did not even bother to listen. In my mind, i was thinking up ways on how to get to see more of the city, without attracting too much attention.

We stopped at a parking lot, and everyone was glad to finally stretch out their legs. I went ahead and peeked into a couple of food stalls that were outside the lot. Studying the menu, i had not even the time to pick out anything to bring along, when you passed by and herded everyone to start our trek up towards the first church we were to visit in the numerous ones on the list. It seemed to me that we were all disappointed that we could not spend a little time to eat. But you were insistent on following the timetable.

A few more steps up and i saw signs that were entirely unexpected:

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the hereafter, he will be one of the losers."

It had never occurred to me to see such a sign so clearly displayed in public. There were a few more indications of this very same sentiment in that fork in the road. I no longer felt the need to explore more of this city.

We continued our way up, until we reached the Basilica of the Annunciation.

---original unedited manuscript "Remembering Israel"

Road signs going to and in Nazareth









shops and road going up to the Basilica











billboards seen around Nazareth







street view of the Basilica

I heard the temple of Solomon has been rebuilt and sacrifices of sheep and other animals will soon start as it was many years ago. Ohhhh, who will take me to Israel. Pansytilly ooooh, dont just show me pictures and tell me stories,take me to the country of my savior plssssssss!!!!!

I doubt animal sacrifice will do any good...but...you do live in closer proximity than i....start trekking...

Pansy, my friend, your story grows with richness and texture. The subtle unspoken sideroads speak volumes. They also leave room for infinite variation in the story.

The snapshot of current life gives perspective to our combines past. The blend of Christianity, Judaism,and Islam show both a growth and a lack thereof...

"The more things change, the more they stay the same!"

Eehhh? So you want me to turn blue and black in the deserts and become a skeleton after probable ten years of "trekking" from Nigeria to Israel? Never knew you hated me this much. I guess its because I said girls should stop giving us men s**, you ve never forgiven ever since then. Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

Started reading and enjoyed so far. Love the photos afterward.

Metalwing, i can always count on you for some insightful critiques.
Appreciated, as always.

Lol...not at all. Im in partial agreement with your sentiment, just not your approach.

If anyone can make that kind of trek, you can.

tulip

Welcome, welcome. Glad you can make it over here

Im happy you enjoyed

I know we agree on many issues. I was just joking. lol. Did you trek?