6 AM: Woke up in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. Final morning after 3 night stay.
7 AM: Holy Mass in the Chapel at the accommodation. Had been staying in a property operated by the Emmanuel Community (origin from France). We were wonderfully hosted by two lay members of the Emmanuel Community from France. They live and volunteer full-time at the property in the Holy Land.
8 AM: Breakfast.
8:30 AM: On the coach. Off to archaeological site at Bashan/Scythopolis. This city was built by Alexander the Great - and was the first of it's kind to be built in base level land - distinct from the typical construction on great hills for defense. It contains remains of a Theater, Amphitheater, Hippodrome, etc...
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| Theater. |
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| Steve Wirth, Diocese of Fargo, ND. Taking photo admidst the ruins of Scythopolis - basically all the cities of the Jordan Valley region were destroyed by a massive earthquake in 747 AD. |
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| Charlie Friebohle soaking in the final minutes of teaching of our guide, Nadahl from Bethlehem, and Dr. Mario, the archaeologist. |
After our time at this final archaeological site we parted ways from Dr. Mario - Tel Aviv Archaeologists - and headed on the coach for the Country JORDAN.
12 PM - 2 PM: Check point #1. Check point #2. Check point # 3. Check point #4. We arrived to the boarder of Israel and Jordan and entered boarder control. Fortunately, we seemed to be the only people around - attempting to cross the border.
RELIGION: Jordan is basically 95 - 96% Muslim - Friday is their day of rest. Jordan, since 1994 has been a peaceful country of the Middle East - unlike its boarding neighbors in the Middle East. Syria to the North is an example. According to our new (temporary) guide from Jordan - around 5000 Christian refugees are fleeing from Syria - and coming to Jordan.
CROSSING: We made it with ease...just many check points and showing of our passports!
2 - 3:30 PM: Wilderness of John the Baptist - hike to the Jordan River - location of the Baptism of Jesus.
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| Beginning the hike to the location of the Baptism of Jesus. Natural habitat is protected by the Jordanian government to preserve it's appearance. |
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| Stop at what is called the "John the Baptist Spring." This is a spring that early accounts of Christian pilgrims and witnesses described as the path that leads to the location of the Baptism of Jesus. |
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| Looking down to the spring (currently now water flows in the spring). |
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| Walking through the think bush. |
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| Joe Zabinski. Location of the Baptism of Jesus. Three Church's discovered on the site after 1994 Peace Treaty signed between Israel and Jordan allowed for archaeological investigation. Why no water? Well, even just a few decades ago the Jordan river ran to this level and width, however now, because of diverging the water and dams from further north, the Jordan is quite narrow. |
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| The Jordan River. Straight across is Israel. We are on the Jordan side. |
3:30 to 4:30 PM: On coach to Mt. Nebo. Way up into the mountains and clouds! Friends and family back home - we are getting snowed on - here in the country of Jordan!
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Arrive and settle.
6:30 PM: Evening Prayer and Practice Homily.
7 PM: Dinner.
Some more pictures from days past....
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| Doug Liebsh. Michael Daily. Caesarae Philippi. Listening to Matthew 16: "You are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my Church. |
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