Jericho Lunch

They give you pita, hummus, and a bunch of other stuff to throw on.
You play it by ear, trying different combinations of items, which all
seem to be good.

Grazing near Jericho

There was a twelve year old Bedouin boy tending these camels.

Joy Ride

In America this kid might be riding his bike down the street.

St. George's Monastery

After hours of hiking in Wadi Kelt in the middle of nowhere, we came
accross this monastery, knocked on the massive front door, and the guy
showed us around, gave us water and tamarine(?) juice, and we left
refreshed.

Bedouin Hut

They're still at it after thousands if years.

Capernaum Shore

Probably hasn't changed much since Jesus' day.

Ampatheater at Beit She'an

Thai Jesus

At the Annunciation Church in Nazareth they have many mosaics
contributed from many countries.

Beit She'an B&B

He came to pick is up at the hostel which was full. Gave us several
organic tomatoes and an onion. In the morning he drove us to the big
aechealogical site. Seemed to enjoy checking us in and chatting.

Ein Gedi

Kind of like paradise.

Diplomatic Dinner

Had dinner with several consulate and embassy workers, all about my
age. Included in the group were several communications specialists on
Condi Rice's advance team, who were here to prep for her visit.

Sea of Galilee

Jesus was quite familiar with this sight.

Near the Mt. Of Beatitudes

Synagogue in Capernaum

Jesus taught right here at the synagogue in Capernaum. Capernaum was
Jesus' home town once he started his ministry.

View from Masada

Masada hostel

The accomodations were cheap, modern, clean, and uncrowded.
Completely changed my idea of youth hostels.

Masada

Got up at 4am and hiked Masada. Even at that early hour there was
someone in the ticket booth ready to collect my money.

Makhane Yehuda

It is almost impossible to walk inside the Jewish market because its
so crowded.

Shrine of the Book

Inside the white dome you can see real sections of the Dead Sea
Scrolls. The rare Isaiah scroll was on display when I visited. It's
the only scroll they found complete, in its entirety.

There are all sorts of symbols involved in the architecture. The
white dome is shaped like the lid of the jars that the scrolls were
found in. The dome is constantly being bathed in water, symbolizing
purity, and the rebirth of the Israeli people. The white dome and the
opposing black monolith together represent good and evil.

Sculpture at Israel Museum sculpture garden

Kippa

For less than $2 you can get your own Kippa. Some even come with the
logos of prominent basketball teams on them. A travel guide I read
said that if you see someone wearing a sports-team-logo kippa, they
are sure to be from the United States.

Dominus Flevit gate at dusk

Computer keyboards come in three languages

Street signs come in three languages

BYU Jerusalem Center Concert

The center hosts free concerts weekly which are typically packed with
locals. Before the concert I enjoyed the view of the Old City from our
location on the Mount of Olives. This is also where church is held on
Saturdays. If the talks get too boring, the view behind the speaker
can provide some relief.

Can you name this product?

I've been studying the Hebrew alphabet, and this is one of the first
things I was able to read--it says, not-surprisingly, "Corn Flakes",
spelled phoenetically.

My digs

That's my spot there on the floor. So far I have slept great!

Jerusalem: City of Basketball

Walking on the city wall I was surprised at the number of basketball
courts in Old City. I saw about half a dozen, and that's just what's
visible from the perimeter.

Cave next to Wailing Wall

This guy was walking back and forth reciting scripture.

Wailing Wall

They pray at this section of wall because it is closest to where the
Holy of Holies was in the old Temple.

Security guard

Alan is buddy-buddy with nearly all the security guards on campus.
Were it not so, I would have to submit a 3-page request form to the
chief of security 72 hours in advance to receive a one-time entrance
pass.

Can you name this product?

More Arab neighborhood

Arab neighborhood