THE DEAD SEA

We left Galilee Tuesday to go south to the Dead Sea. I wasn't able to post Tuesday night because the resort did not have computer access. I finally have gotten some sleep so I am much more awake. We stayed Monday night in a kibbutz on the south end of the Sea of Galilee. A kibbutz is a gated jewish community. They consist of miles of land including farm land, residual neighborhoods, shopping centers, grocery stores, a temple and many have a resort. The one we stayed at was very nice. It was very similar to the condos that we stay with our timeshare company. We had a little kitchen and living area along with a bedroom and bathroom. Our unit had a view of the sea and the mountains.

We started the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Our group was supposed to do this Sunday morning in lieu of a church service but since half of us were not here until very early Monday morning, they waited until today. This was one of the highlights of my trip so far. The sea was very calm and it felt like we were the only ones. Pastors Don and Doug read some scriptures and we sang some hymns. It was so calm and peaceful and a great time for reflection. The highlight was two of the crew sang some of our hymns in a combination of Hebrew and English. They sang How Great Thou Art and I don't think there was a dry eye on the boat. The hymns are beautiful when sung in the combination. Phil and I bought a CD.

I would love to post some pictures but I haven't figured how to do that yet (but I'll keep trying).

Our tour guide is Pitch (pronounced Peach) and our bus driver is Akram. They are both very funny and keep us continuosly laughing. At each place we visit Pitch gives us the history and then Pastors Doug or Don read the scripture that it relates too. It is very cool to be able to read scripture and visualize what took place.

Pitch has lead a very interesting life. He retired from the Israeli army and then worked as an architect for many years and now leads tours. He has explained a lot about the history of Israel and the surrounding countries and the explained the various conflicts. I understand things much more clearly now about the situation in the middle east. This I will share with you when I get home.

We visited Beit Shean which is the most magnificent archeological site in Isreal!! It has a rather gruesome history. This is where, after defeating Saul and his sons at Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hung their bodies on the walls of the city (as recounted in First Samuel chapter 31). In the bible it it is spelled Beth Shan. Architects have uncovered a huge number of ruins from the Roman/Byzantine era including an entire amphitheatre in which many events (including gladiator fights) were held. It is impressive to walk through this entire city almost entirely uncovered, much of it intact!!!!

We stayed Tuesday night at a fabulous spa resort on the Dead Sea. Phil and I both swam in the Dead Sea (or I should say floated) as it has so much salt and other minerals that the water is extremely buoyant. We had great fun. The water does not feel like ocean water, it is kind of any oily feeling because of all the minerals in it but it is supposed to be very good for the skin and people come from all over the world for treatment. The spa had several swimming pools and hot tubs of varying temperatures as well.

We have had to go through a couple of check points but they were no different than going through a toll booth.

I will talk about the food I have been eating in another post.

Will post more soon,

Shalom,

Diane