Day 5

Day 5: Jan 15,  Jordan River - Mt. Tabor – Jericho – Jordan River - Jerusalem
Theme: The Transfiguration
Today, after breakfast, drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity. Mass here will be a good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. Drive down the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where we view Mt Temptation and an example of a Sycamore Tree. Visit the Baptismal site on the Jordan River then to Jerusalem, where we check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

We left Galilee today.  Bittersweet.  It's a rainy day today, so the view was a bit obstructed, but still amazing.  On our way south, we went to Mount Tabor, the location of the Transfiguration.  Our bus took us partway up the mountain, and then we had to get into vans to navigate the hairpin curves.  Breathtaking views.  It was raining pretty steady, but that did not dampen our spirits one bit (or at least I didn't mind - I was excited to be there!).  One thing that our guide has pointed out to us repeatedly is that we have not had to battle crowds or wait for long periods of time.  Partly due to the time of year, but more so because potential pilgrims are fearful to come.  Usuma said tour numbers are low right now.  It's sad that people are missing out on this experience, but it is a blessing for us because it has been very convenient to get in and out of places.  

Back to Mt. Tabor - such a beautiful church.  Again, because of lack of crowds, we got to celebrate Mass in the main chapel.  We were in the lower part of the church, under a dome coveredi n lovely mosaics.  Our entire group could fit in the space, so when we sang, our voices resounded.  We sounded pretty darn good!  I especially enjoyed the refrain, "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  His truth is marching on."  We also had an amazing view of the area known as Armageddon Valley - see Revelation 16:16.  

Next is the bus ride south.  We gnerally followed the Jordan River south, although we are not right alongside it.  This also means we can see into the country of Jordan, which is identified by a barbed wire fence.  There aren't any curent hostilities, and no overly ative military presence here.  As we passed into the West Bank (not sure if it was Area A, B, or C), we went through a checkpoint.  We were not stopped.  Our guide explained that this is more for the purposes of limiting Christians or non-Jews from entering Israel.  Confusing politics.  At one time, tour guides who were native, non-Jews were not allowed to enter into areas with their pilgrims.  Government controls.  It is safe and easy for pilgrims and tourists to navigate, more so than for some of the native people.  

We arrived at the Jordan River, at the location where Jesus was baptized.  So cool!  Lots of politics involving this site as well, naturally.  The water was very murky and brown from silt and irrigation practices, but still!  Wow!  We all blessed ourselves and renewed our baptismal vows.  Pretty powerful stuff.  

On to Jericho - not as big as I would have expected.  Also, things aren't as far apart as I somehow thought they were.  I guess the map distance was deceiving.  At Jericho we saw the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted 3 times while he spent 40 days in the desert.  They call it Judean wilderness, and boy, is it ever.  Crazy terrain, with lots of rocks and hills and not much else in between.  Lots of natural caves, too.  We at lunch at a lovely restaurant - the only Christian restaurant in the city.  It was outdoors, but they have been experiencing cooler weather than usual, so it was slightly chilly.  Would love to experience it on a warmer day as well.  Yes, I did make a reference to returning.  Might just be a pipe dream, but our tour guide said there was a saying, "Next year in Jerusalem."  Sounds great to me!  Jericho has a very small Christian population.  we drove past a sycamore tree, similar to the one that Zaccheus (sp?) climbed to see Jesus.  The tree we saw couldn't have existed 2000 years ago, but it was still impressive to see the tree in the location that the bible story happened.  Another side note - the food is amazing.  I am a big fan of Middle Eastern food, if what I have been enjoying is the regular fare.  Absolutely delicious!  Getting to try many new dishes.

Then we headed up to Jerusalem.  Even if Jerusalem is, geographically speaking, in the southern part of Isreal, they talk about going up to the city because it is at a higher elevation.  Makes sense why Jesus was going 'up' to Jerusalem :-)  We drove through a little bit of Jerusalem - traffic is very busy.  Saw the walls of the old city, and then did a quick drive over to Bethlehem.  (seriously - it's not that far away, if you don't account slow traffic)  Craziness.  We stopped at a Christian store to peruse their offerings.  Lots of beautiful olive wood pieces, among other items.  The most important part is that the shop supports many local Christian families in the area who either work for or sell to this shop.  Christians in Bethlehem have a tough time.  I'm very pleased with my purchases, and would be happy to show them off when I get home!

Then, it was back to Jerusalem through crazy traffic again.  We got to our hotel, which is gorgeous and huge.  Our accomodations are almost luxurious.  Another wonderful meal with even more new foods to try.  I think I've eaten red and yellow peppers at every meal since we've arrived (yes, even breakfast).  I don't know when this will all sink in; it almost feels like a dream.  What an amazing experience.  I pray that I can learn from it, and 'go deep' in my faith as JPII said, according to our guide.  Thanks for reading!