Freda: We checked out of the hotel in Bethlehem and got on the bus heading west toward the Mediterranean Sea. We drove up the coast toward Caesarea Maritima, another of Herod’s “projects”. We woke up to rain and cooler temperatures and it only got worse during the day. They were expecting snow in that area so we we’re glad to be heading toward the coast where we were told that it shouldn’t be as cold.
When we drove from Bethlehem (Palestine) through the main security checkpoint to Jerusalem (Israel) we noticed a vast difference as far as the quality and type of construction of homes and buildings and roads. It was the first time we’d been in territory controlled by Israel since we had gotten to Bethlehem on Sunday night.
One of the things we were told about the difference of the Palestinian and Israeli housing was that you’ll probably see water tanks on the top of all the Palestinian homes or apartments, but not on the Israelis’. The Israeli government controls water in the country so the Israelis get running water 24-7 coming to their house. But for the Palestinians, they get it about once or twice a week, so they all have cisterns and water tanks so they can store it.
Driving through Tel Aviv was like driving through any large modern city- skyscrapers, Mercedes and BMW dealerships, McDonalds, shopping malls, etc. Quite a contrast to anything we’d seen so far in Palestine. We continued up the coastal highway (Via Maris) to Caesarea Martima.
Caesarea Maritima is today a national park at the site of Herod’s Harbor. It was insignificant until he began to develop it into a magnificent harbor befitting his kingdom. The forty-acre harbor would accommodate 300 ships, much larger than the modern harbor existing today. Additionally it was developed into what became one of the most important cities in the time of Christ. It was also where Peter began his ministry and Paul’s ministry essentially ended because he was a prisoner there for 2 years before being sent to Rome for being a Christian and disrupting the order of the Roman empire. Over the years it was ruled by different empires before finally being destroyed by earthquakes, fires and storms.
By the time we arrived the weather had really deteriorated and there were terrific lightening and thunderstorms and the wind had really picked up. So when we got to Caesarea Maritima we weren’t surprised to be told that we could walk to the Amphitheater, but that was about it. Much of the area was full of water because of the rain and high winds blowing water in from the Mediterranean. The waves were 10′ tall and while we were there the winds were about 38 mph with 48 mph gusts and it was about 45 degrees! We got drenched! Boy we were glad to get back on the bus.
As we left there we passed the one and only golf course in Israel! Caesarea Martima is a beautiful resort and many of Israel wealthiest have second homes there. We drove by remnants of the old the ancient aqueduct – amazing!
We then drove to Mt Carmel where Elijah was victorious over the prophets of Baal. We didn’t stay long due to the high winds and hail! On a clear day it is supposed to be a beautiful view of the valley.
After lunch we wet to Tel Megiddo. It has approximately 26 levels of occupation from the Chalcolithic period (Bronze Age around 4000 bc). A ‘tel’ is a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot over many centuries. Because of this it has huge archaeological significance. We made our way up a couple of levels but couldn’t go down into the tunnels because they were filling up with water from the rain. I’m sorry we didn’t get to see more. According to the Book of Revelation, Megiddo will be the site of gathering of armies for a battle during the end times (Armageddon).
We drove on to Nazareth and went straight to the Church of the Annunciation. It is a modern Catholic church built over the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches and incorporates the cave in which the Virgin Mary received the news from Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus. It’s a beautiful church and they’ve done wonderful job of incorporating remains of the old churches into a very modern church.
We were so glad that the church wasn’t too far from the hotel where were staying for the night so we could shed our wet clothes and find a place for a glass of wine (or 2 or 3 ….). We had been notified earlier in the day that Katie’s luggage had been found and they would be delivering it to that hotel, so we were disappointed when we got there and there was no luggage! It was finally delivered about 6:30 and Katie was one happy person!!!! After more than 4 days without it, she was ready for her “stuff”!
After dinner and a long hot shower we fell asleep on no time. It was a long, but great day. I think I’ve been just talking about our itinerary and not relaying how wonderful the trip has been so far. It’s a wonderful group of professors, seminary students, and seminary alumni. All have been very warm and welcoming to me and the two other people on the trip that are not associated with SMU. I’m enjoying their insights and spiritual aspect of the trip. I’m so glad to be here! Lots of scripture and teaching.
Katie posted 2 quotes on Facebook yesterday that I think are so perfect for this trip:
“If Scripture is to become my teacher, I must put on each story like a robe to be worn, identifying with the characters, walking in their shoes, and feeling with their hearts.” – Macrina Wiederkehr
“Through whatever imagination, intuition, human compassion we can muster, we have to stand where these people stood and feel what they felt: to sail in the little boat as the wind freshened and the waves started to heave; to bury our faces in our hands before the terrible darkness of that tomb or the sight of the great city being laid waste.” – Frederich Buechner
Mark and Freda's Wanderings 