test

A Few Photos of Nazereth and the Galilee

A few shots from our seminar trip to the north of Israel - First, our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Next, Regina in front of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazereth. Following is a frontal shot of the Church of the Annunciation (where Mary received a very different visitor one month), and, finally, one more shot of the wall of the Old City back in Jerusalem.

At top - the Tomb of the prophet Samuel. Next, a view of the Mt of Olives and the Church of Eternal Sleep - the reported place of Mary's death. And below...Well, I bet you can figure this one out.

More to come soon!

Another Photo Update

We are getting used to traveling the streets of Jerusalem and finding food and spending lots of time in the seminar. Here are a few photos from our activities over the last couple of days. I hope they aren't as blurry as the earlier ones, for those of you with poor eyesight :).

First, a view of the Old City from the distance. You can see the unmistakeable Dome of the Rock - the Third holiest site in Islam in which Mohammad is said to have ascended into heaven. (It is also the former site of the second Temple of Judaism, and possession of this site has been part of the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis.) The photo was taken from what Christians call the "Hill of Evil Council" - reported to be the location where the Jewish high priests met to decide the fate of Christ.

Next, a photo at the top is a view of Bethlehem from Jerusalem. In the midground you can see the well-reported and highly controversial (even among Israelis themselves) partially completed wall.

Next, a view of the Old City from the distance. You can see the unmistakeable Dome of the Rock - the Third holiest site in Islam in which Mohammad is said to have ascended into heaven. (It is also the former site of the second Temple of Judaism, and possession of this site has been part of the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis.) The photo was taken from what Christians call the "Hill of Evil Council" - reported to be the location where the Jewish high priests met to decide the fate of Christ.

Our First Day in Pictures

Just a few quick photos of our first day....Here are a few shots of Jerusalem....More to come...

PICTURES

Just look at this page and pull up one of the slide shows!

The images are just amazing, beautiful!

It actually makes me excited about being gone so long.

http://www.desertecotours.com/english/photography.asp

Desert Eco Tours from Eilat

Just thought I would share this whole web page-- there's some interesting things on it.

http://www.desertecotours.com/English/sinai_1&2_days.asp

Here's another one from Russel, this one looks like fun

The Desert By Night
4 hour jeep tour

'Those are the sacred hours of desert life, when man is alone with the wilderness and Him who made it.'
'M.J. Rendall 1911'

Experience the magic of an Arabian night under the star spangled desert skies. Explore the awesome mountains of Eilat by 4X4 by night. It is well known that the desert comes to life at night and on this special 4 hour tour we search with projectors for local wildlife such as wolves, hyenas, foxes and gazelles - all can be found in the desert surrounding Eilat.
The desert is particularly renowned for its exceptionally starry skies, using an astronomic telescope your guide will point out the various constellations found amongst the millions of stars visible, the craters of the moon, the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. We stop en route to enjoy sweet Bedouin tea and Pitta bred prepared on a small campfire, some Bedouins' legends and plenty of magical atmosphere. We take a short walk to a small hidden canyon with the light of the stars only and driving along the valley of the statues in completely open jeeps.
Cost $45 per person (Daily in the summer)
For an extra special evening for groups, we combine this night tour with an outdoor evening meal and choice of entertainment. A unique and magical experience never to be forgotten.

Tour to St. Catherine's and Sinai

I just got this from Russel in Eilat. Thought I would post it for your info.



St. Catherine’s Monastery by Jeep
with Desert Eco Tours (one day tour)

The sacred Monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai’s spectacular High Range Area remains one of the most important sights of pilgrimage in the world. The monastery was erected in the 6 century and stands at the foot of Mount Sinai (the holy mountain on which Moses received the Ten Commandments from God). Greek Orthodox monks care it for today in the same tradition as in centuries past. We spend the morning exploring this miraculous and fascinating place before heading to a nearby 5 star hotel to relax and enjoy a buffet lunch.
We mount our jeeps by afternoon and journey partly off-road into the heart of the Sinai desert. During this taste of 4X4 adventure we visit the tribal cemetery of Nawamis whose 6,000-year-old graves are the most ancient covered structures in the world. We see the ‘Rock of Inscriptions’ where some of the rock carvings date back 2,000 years. Before beginning our journey home we stop to admire the beautiful view over the Ein Hudra oasis. Returning to Eilat early evening.

Every day at 6:00 from your hotel.

Price: $89 per person. (min. 4 people or $355).

Price include: Jeep, guide, lunch, entrance fee to St. Catherine area.

Price does not include: border taxes of $29 per person, entrance to the libraty in the monasrery (4.5$) and tips.



Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/426 - Release Date: 8/23/2006

places to stay.

Ok, now that I've figured it out, I can send a message. I like some of those hotel ideas, I'm a little hesitant about some of the prices. The ones in Eilat definately!! I'm up for choosing one of those I said I liked, we really should have reservations. In tel aviv too, I think it's good, but there's a few days there, maybe in Mitzpe Ramon, where we can all go together to the same town, but stay in different places, Christopher and I definately want a more rugged experience, and so does my checkbook :).

Matt, you're awesome for looking all those up!! I'm not so worried about making sure we have a place in telaviv or mitzpe ramon reserved, but I think it would be good to check those place out too. just in case.

Because I've only responded to other posts, I'm just checking to see if this works.

De La Mer - Hotel, Tel Aviv

De Lamer - Tel Aviv: "The hotel’s ideal location, overlooking the sapphire-blue Mediterranean and hugging the golden sands of Tel Aviv’s world-famous beaches, makes for easy access to all the local centers of culture, business and entertainment "

Lusky Suites Hotel, Tel Aviv

Lusky suites hotel tel aviv, israel - Location: "The Lusky Suites Hotel is ideally located in the center of Tel Aviv facing the Mediterranean Sea."

Sea.Net Hotel Tel-Aviv

Sea.Net Hotel Tel-Aviv: "The Sea.Net Hotel is located on the corner of Nes Ziona and Hayarkon Street, situated in the centre of the Tel Aviv business and entertainment area. and just 90 metres from the sea front and promenade."

Ramon Inn

Ramon Inn: "The Ramon Inn hotel is a combination of tranquility and a pastoral landscape with action-packed outdoor activities. The Ramon Inn hotel is located in Mitzpe Ramon, on the edge of the Ramon Crater, one of the natural wonders of the world."

DESERT HOME, Mitzpe Ramon

DESERT HOME: "From every corner you can relish the desert landscape. In the small garden of desert flora, fruit trees, and herbs surrounding the complex you will find sitting and relaxation spots right at the desert's edge"

The cabins and suites of the Alpaca Farm, Mitzpe Ramon

The cabins and suites of the Alpaca Farm: "The cabins and suites of the Alpaca Farm"

Pierre Hotel Eilat, Israel - Red Sea Resort

Pierre Hotel Eilat, Israel - Red Sea Resort: "Eilat / Hotel Pierre"

Villa Kibel Eilat / Budget Holiday Apartment / Israel - Guide

Villa Kibel Eilat / Budget Holiday Apartment / Israel - Guide: "Villa Kibel is the name of an attractive
home in a pleasant suburb of Eilat that
offers a range of reasonably priced,
comfortable and conveniently situated
holiday apartments. The apartments are
managed by Russell Kibel and each of them
is named after a member of his family.
Villa Kibel Apartments are recommended in
the Lonely Planet & Let's Go Guidebooks."

Trip A

Fri July 20
Jerusalem->Eilat

Sat July 21
Eilat -- Sabbath is apparently lax in the Negev region generally and Eiylat in particular. Open air bars by the sea after 3 weeks of sabbath-closings might be a refreshing change of pace.

Sun July 22
Eilat -- lots of potential day trips (into the Negev or diving in the Red Sea or Petra or reading and relaxing in the sun)

Mon July 23
Eilat->Mitzpe Ramon (Negev) -- ecotourist, artist town with galleries, stores, and easy access to the Maktesh Ramon crater for trails and day hikes. Also, lots of different accommodation styles.

Tue July 24
Mitzpe Ramon -- Daytrips into the Negev.

Wed July 25
Mitzpe Ramon->Tel Aviv -- One last day/night of Israeli nightlife by the Mediterranean

Thu July 26
Tel Aviv Flight - 4PM
New York Arrival 830PM

Trip B

Fri July 20
Jerusalem->Ein Geti (Dead Sea Region) -- Ein Geddi nature reserve for walks and trails and hikes. And the Dead Sea beaches and archeology.

Sat July 21
Ein Geti -- Ein Gedi Kibbutz could serve as a home base to explore the Dead Sea area.

Sun July 22
Ein Geti->Eilat

Mon July 23
Eilat -- lots of potential day trips into the Negev, drinks in open air bars by the sea, or diving in the Red Sea or Petra or reading and relaxing in the sun.

Tue July 24
Eilat

Wed July 25
Eilat-->Tel Aviv

Thu July 26
Tel Aviv Flight - 4PM
New York Arrival 830PM

Trip C

Fri July 20
Jerusalem->Tiberias (Galilee region)

Sat July 21
Tiberias

Sun July 22
Tiberias->Eilat

Mon July 23
Eilat

Tue July 24
Eilat->Tel Aviv

Wed July 25
Tel Aviv

Thu July 26
Tel Aviv Flight - 4PM
New York Arrival 830PM

Mapping It

Who knew maps could be so neat?

http://www.eyeonisrael.com/

The Scoop

Tony laid out the typical schedule at Yad Vashem. We board a bus each day that takes us from the hotel to YV -- I believe this happens at 8. As we've already noted, the hotel offers a fabulous complimentary breakfast. Tony says it typically includes fish, salads, all sorts of stuff. There's a grocery directly across from the hotel, and he usually bought food there, stored it in his room fridge, and brought his lunches to YV. There is a restaurant close to YV, but it might be a bit overpriced, according to Tony. There's more to say about YV itself, so if you have specific questions, ask away. He had much to say about the specific content of the lectures, the scholars, the survivors, etc. As for the city itself, Tony shared loads of photos and stories. The day trips include visits to Masada, Galilee, the Dead Sea, the beach in Tel Aviv... I think I might be repeating what we all read in the YV info, but since we've discussed some of this here, I thought it might be worth repeating. Matt, do you remember other pertinent points?

Some Hotel Photos - Prima Kings, Jerusalem

Plans

So this is how the kids do it today, eh? This is pretty space-agey for me.

Here's a question to get the ball rolling -- during that last week, are we planning on doing day trips out from Jerusalem primarily, or are we wanting to head out for longer treks? We should decide this, at least, now since we'd have to think about accomodations, travel to/from other areas, etc. I think most of what I want to see is near Jerusalem, though I don't know that I'm thinking of everything. Thoughts?

A Shared Notebook for Busy People?

I have a thought: Since we all must be doing reading, researching, thinking, and dreaming about things to do and places to visit this July, how about sharing your web researching, links, random thoughts, maps, photos, et. al. with all the rest of us.

It's relatively easy to do. Just accept the invitation to "join the blog" that I've sent to each of your email addresses, and follow the "accept" instructions. From there you can add posts, edit posts, add comments, add pictures, links, and everything else.

This way we can share thoughts about places to stay, to see, to eat with each other withtout having to do this all over dinner.

Just an idea, anyway.

mh