Blasphemous Rumours (Israel)

Me in a sandstorm

We only learned afterward that it was a once in 30 year sand storm that almost blasted us off the mesa desert fortress of Masada and caused three foot swells on the Dead Sea (inhibiting our floating experience - we got to do the mud wrap at least). 

It was only when arriving in Tel Aviv that we understood the impact, as beachfront hotels and restaurants’ staff were sweeping sand out of their establishments, beach showers were dislodged from the ground and pieces of boat wreckage could be seen at the old port of Jaffa.

Our stay here in the cosmopolitan centre of Israel was highlighted by a visit with long lost family.  My grandmother’s sister did not accompany her to Canada, but rather, had immigrated to Britain from the former Soviet Union.  One of her children, in turn, immigrated to Israel as one of the original pioneers in the late 1940s.  We were able to visit with her (my dad’s first cousin whom he has never met) and her children.  Her personal historical perspectives and those of her children regarding contemporary Israeli geo-politics offered insights unattainable from Western media.

This is Israel after all, a first world country, so we rented a car to explore the northern highlands and even experienced some December snow at Mt. Hermon, to help with any lingering homesickness at this time of year.   

En route to the Galilee, we spent a night in Safed, the Kaballah (Jewish mysticism) capital of Israel - alas no Madonna sightings.  But (blasphemy alert) we did encounter one interesting phenomenon, I'll call it "the running of the Bochers" (for you gentiles out there - young religious Jewish men who study at Yeshivas are often referred to as Yeshiva Bochers).  Like clockwork, around meal time an exodus of "Bochers" flowed into the streets from a study hall, through a stepped laneway en route to the dining hall a few blocks away.  About an hour later, they made the return run - no injuries reported (you know - the almighty on their side and all).

 
Just south of the Sea of Galilee, we stopped to explore some ancient Roman ruins at Bet Shean. 

Roman communal toilet

Tiberias is the real centre of the action and even boasts a newly launched sea front water and light spectacular, haughtily self-compared to the Bellagio in Vegas...Not (but a good effort)!

At the tourism info centre we learned that they had driving route maps – perfect we thought, maybe a wine route – alas it was Friday and most things close mid-afternoon until after the Sabbath Saturday evening.  We did, however, manage to pick up the “Jesus Trail” route (really that’s what they call it), comprising all the hotspots from Nazareth to the Jordan River (and they were open on Saturday).

Walking on Water

The brochure is intended to highlight locations where significant events unfolded in the life of Jesus, but it also oddly equally emphasizes comfort and services facilities at the sites.  For example, a disciple baptismal site is accompanied with information regarding recently added family picnic facilities.  We joked (blasphemy alert) that the site where there were attempts to toss Jesus from a cliff could be an ideal location for a new “Jesus drop zone” ride.

Alas, we had our own river crossing ahead of us as we attempted overland border passage into Jordan.

Note - more Israel photos @:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegoobers_pics/sets/72157625821559090/