Thanks to everyone who has faithfully followed along with our journey to Israel over the past four weeks. I have really enjoyed this chance to share the trip with you.
There are three last places I want to show you and then I’ll close with some miscellaneous photos.
The day we went to the Sea of Galilee was rainy and chilly (about 45 degrees) so the boat ride itself was a little challenging for a heat-seeking, warmth-adoring homo sapien like myself.
In a way though, it was interesting to be out there in less than pristine weather since there are several stories in the Bible of Jesus and the disciples out on that same lake and experiencing the same dearth of sunshine–but definitely no dearth of large waves. I am thankful our water was calm.
Before we went out to the boat, we looked around in a church nearby. I especially loved the windows.
I never did figure out the musical motif that was featured there but I thought it was so cool.
This olive tree is 2,500 years old so it was there when Jesus prayed in that garden before the crucifixion.
Our group shared communion and the singing of a hymn together.
About seven of us at a time could go through this little door into the tomb. The guide told us that Jewish tradition teaches that the little window to the right of the door is called the nephesh, or the “soul hole.” It is where the spirit of the dead departs after three days in the tomb.
This is the inside of the tomb.
Edited to add: The photo below was in an album but there were several several questions/comments about it so I took it out of the album and am posting it by itself so I can add a little more information.
This is a Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives and is the most ancient and most important cemetery in Jerusalem. Burial on the Mount of Olives started some 3,000 years ago in the First Temple Period, and continues to this day. The cemetery contains anywhere between 70,000 and 300,000 tombs from various periods, including the tombs of famous figures in Jewish history. Wikipedia
Here is a little more information. And a little more here. This site say that a plot can be as much as $22,000 and within the next ten years, there will be no more space available.
On this particular trip, I was especially drawn to the beauty of windows, gates, doors, and walkways. This album features all of those things.
And lastly, I’d like to share an album of miscellaneous pictures that didn’t fit in any other post topic.
I realize that some of these may have inadvertently shown up in other posts since my 55-year old memory can’t always recollect which pictures went where but that just means you get to enjoy them twice! (Note: some of the pictures have comments/descriptions below them.)
And so we come to the end of the road.
It has been such a joy to share these pictures with you because I got to relive each moment of the trip every time I posted a new photo. Thank you for being such a good audience!
What about you?
What would be a dream trip for you if you could go anywhere in the world? And more importantly, WHY?
Ps I have so many dream trips. Right now I am unable to fly as I cannot sit in a plane seat and every airline I’ve asked had said I would have to store my custom wheelchair in storage and sit in a plane seat. But I have big hopes for recovery and if that ever happens I have a huge list of places I’d love to travel to. Everywhere from Spain for a walking meditation to England and Ireland to Costa Rica to Africa (especially Ethiopia) to Newfoundland land to manteo North Carolina (your photos and stories over the years have inspired me) to Brazil to Oregon to Norway to Iceland to….well… I could literally sit her all night listing places I want to go to. I honestly don’t think there is a place on earth that I wouldn’t leap at the chance to go to!!!
Jenna,
All we Manteo-ers are honored to be you on your Bucket Travel List! You have such an interesting variety of places you want to visit; I can tell you’ve given it a lot of thought.
I have big hopes right along with you that in the not too distant future, you can board a plane and wing your way to one of your special places. Hugs.
Becky your photos are phenomenal. Stunning. I’m so glad you got to go on such an incredible trip.
Jenna,
A compliment from another photographer always means so much. Thank you!
SINGING WIND THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES SOFTLY DID BLOW…. LOVE THE OLIVE TREES PHOTO
Mrs. Pam,
You have introduced me to a song I didn’t know. I looked it up and loved it!
WOW. Just WOW.
First, being the inquisitive person I am I had to try to find what that sign in your photo meant. Here’s a link that is probably the answer – it has to do with Haredi Jews who are strict about not passing through the special magnetometers that are meant for Shabbat. https://english.thekotel.org/kotel/general_info/security_check.aspx It thought it was a very interesting read.
Your photos were all so interesting. And how amazing it must have been to stand near that olive tree that was there when Jesus prayed there and then to walk into the tomb where he was laid. These photos really stirred emotion.
Thank you again for sharing them and I hope you and Steve are both feeling well again!
Sue Ellen,
That was a very interesting article! I read some of the additional links that were provided which were really great, too.
Yes, being near that olive tree was an amazing feeling, knowing how long it had been standing there. 2,500 years is a REALLY long time!
The Garden of Gethsemane gave me thoughts of our Lord as he prayed – that olive tree too, how old it is and was there when our Lord was. Couple of dream places – Jerusalem and Ireland/Scotland. Such fascinating pictures too Becky. So glad you were feeling good enough to capture all of those glorious scenes. Am assuming you are doing much better.
Sharyn,
I had a couple more days in bed last week with sort of a “repeat performance” of the flu but am beginning to feel like I am about 80% recovered.
I would also love to go to Ireland/Scotland; I’ve seen SO many pictures of its amazing beauty.
More beautiful photos! So glad you were able to go on this trip. The architecture is so interesting, it seems like more doorways are arched than straight and I love arched doorways. Not surprising about the Oreos, as everyone seems to love them! I always wanted to visit a rain forest with all the tropical plants, birds and wildlife.
Kari,
I am right there with you on the arched doorways. And you’re right–there seem to be a lot more of them in Israel than there are in the U.S. They are just so graceful and elegant and artistic looking. If we ever built a house, it would have arches everywhere!
A rain forest would be a cool. place to go although I think I would worry about large spiders and snakes! 🙂 It would be a great place for a camera, though.
Oh, the Olive Tree. Took my breath away. Thank you for showing us so much and for an emphasis the architectural and human beauty of this land. Stunning shots, Becky. My dream trip – Ireland.
Mary,
There are several readers (and also me!) who would love to visit Ireland. We need to organize a Smithellaneous Tour!
And you’re right. Israel offers SUCH beauty in the architecture and people alike.
So enjoyed your pictures and comments. The olive tree was awesome. I really do not know where my dream trip would be. I would just like to see more of mainland USA.
Ann,
I completely understand you saying you just want to see more of America. So many times I have thought of all the places in this land that I haven’t seen and am sort of sad that I am leaving my own country unexplored. It is such a vast and variety-filled place; I would love about 6 months to tour it corner to corner.
Sounds good to me!
I have totally enjoyed your pictures and stories with them. I got goose bumps at seeing the Olive Tree and thinking that Jesus was there, wow! Loved seeing the tomb, what an experience to see. What struck me was the caskets that are not buried, they just stay on top of the ground? I would love to see Alaska one day, The Niagra Falls, Pretty much anywhere says lets go to…Ha! Thanks for all the pictures and stories. Loved them all.
Wendy,
I a getting ready to edit the post and add some more info about the caskets. So interesting!
Alaska would be an incredible place to see. Whenever I see pictures of it, it looks so wild and unspoiled and completely different from any other place.
I just love the pictures! What a treat to see such a special place through your eyes. Thank you for sharing!!
Our top travel desire is to go on an Alaskan cruise. We love wildlife and nature. After that, and after we are retired, we plan to see as much of the USA as possible. We would like to visit every state and plan to golf where ever and whenever the urge strikes us. 🙂
LeeAnne,
Well, if you love wildlife and nature, Alaska is definitely the place for you! And I love your plan to tour the U.S. I have to admit, I am just a little bit jealous because that is also a dream of mine.
I love the pictures. The one with all the graves caught my eye especially. They don’t bury them, I see. Interesting. What are the containers made out of? The church windows were amazing. i love how so many structures and sculptures are just carved out of the rocks. It’s a whole other beautiful world over there!
For myself, I am a fan of wide open spaces. So I would love to stand in two places on this earth in particular and take in the majesty of it all. The first is the green hills of Ireland, misty with the smell of the sea in the air and rainy with little cottages dotted here and there over the rolling hills as far as the eye can see. That is my idea of Heaven. I have always loved rain, fog and mist. Much preferred over a sunny day. I recently sent in my DNA to learn my ethnicity and surprise of all surprises Cork, Ireland features prominantly in my past so I guess i come by it naturally. The second place would be Austria. The mountains. Again, the hills, the greenery. And all that comes with it.
Where else would you like to travel to?
Lesley,
I am going to add some more info about the graves to this post; a lot of us found them quite fascinating so I think a little more detail would be good.
I have to say that your fabulous description of your perceptions of Ireland made me want to pop up from my recliner and hop on the next plane there. It’s interesting that Ireland has cropped up more than any other place among the readers. Of course, as you said, YOU come by your love naturally with ancestors from Cork!
I agree that a misty, rainy day is a joy, especially for a photographer. There is so much mystery in the mist that a sunny day can never reveal.
And yes, I also think Austria would be so cool to visit. The castles would be a big draw for me–not to mention those mountains. As far as where else I would like to travel? Ireland, Italy, England, and all over the U.S. but especially the west.
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures and stories. The photos are just breath taking. I have always said that I would love to go to The Holy Land to be where Jesus was. How wonderful would it be to stand where He did? And you got to do just that! Wow! I’m glad you were able to go and even more glad that you we got to go with you, in a way!
Krista,
It was an honor to take my readers along on the trip; getting to share the experience made me feel like I got to live it twice!
Becky, I love the pictures. Amazing to think of a 2500 years old olive tree that was there when Jesus was. Oh, if trees could talk. What 3 languages are on the signs? Hope everybody is physically back to normal.
Diane,
I agree. If trees could talk we would hear some absolutely amazing stories.
The three languages were English, Hebrew and Arabic.
And yes, we are just about recovered. It’s been a long road, though!
Beautiful pictures. I can only imagine how inspiring it was to be in the same places that Jesus was so many years ago. The stained glass windows were beautiful.
My dream vacation would probably be England or Ireland. My maternal grandfather has Irish and Swedish ancestry while my paternal grandfather has English ancestry. Also, my cousin’s daughter-in-law is from England, she is there right now. Seeing the pictures she has posted on Facebook makes me want to go more. Another place I wouldn’t mind is Germany. A young couple from my parents’ church along with their two children, 3 years and 17 months, are missionaries in Berlin. They were back to Missouri in December so got to hear him speak about their work in Berlin.
Phyllis,
Sounds like you have plenty of places you would love to visit–England and Ireland or on my list, as well. It would be especially meaningful for you to visit places where your ancestors are from. That would certainly make you feel more connected.
I’ve really enjoyed your photos and commentary. What an interesting place! Seeing your photos of the places I learned about as a child is a treat. 🙂
I looked up “shabbat mode” because I, too, was curious and found this (credit: Wikipedia):
Halakha forbids Jews from doing creative work on the Shabbat. Observant Jews interpret this to include various activities including making a fire, preparing food, or even closing a switch or pressing an electronic button. A range of technology solutions have been created for those who need to use electronic (or electronic-controlled) devices on the Shabbat,[3][4][5] including a special “sabbath mode” for otherwise standard appliances.
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My dream trip, honestly, is anywhere/everywhere. If someone hands me a plane ticket, I’m ready to go wherever.
We are very fortunate in that we get to travel frequently, so trying to pick any ONE place is hard… but right now, Morocco, Russia, Thailand, and China are super-high on our “list” of “want-to-see” places.
I’m excited that we get to see Dublin in May, on our way to London for the Royal Wedding (not really going to the wedding, but we’ll be there for the festivities and will be along the processional route in Windsor)! 🙂 I think I’ve mentioned Scott’s Cheap Flights before? This is why we can go…
Stefani,
I am still having trouble understanding Shabbat mode as it pertains to passing through security because it seems to me that passing through security doesn’t require any work or effort on the part of the person who is doing the passing. I think I will have to do some more reading.
Morocco? Russia? Thailand? China? Be still my heart. I’m like you. Hand me a ticket, I’d be gone. You and are husband are truly blessed to get to see so many places. I have to say though, my temperament would cause me to run very fast in the opposite direction of the Royal Wedding since I can only imagine how crowded that whole area will be. But . . . you will be able to say you were along the processional route so that will be very cool. Better you than me! 🙂
And no, I haven’t heard of Scott’s Cheap Flights. Will definitely make a note of it.