Thursday, January 17, 2008

Israel? Palestine? Where are we!?

So today we went on our first real field trip here in the Holy Land! It wasn’t anything too special and we didn’t really travel all that far either. It was mainly just to visit some nearby sacred sites and give us a better understanding of the Jerusalem area. One thing that I found pretty shocking was how close everything in this area is! In fact, over 70% of the Old Testament takes place in Jerusalem and it’s surrounding areas. So after climbing to the top of a few towers today, we pretty much saw the majority of the Old Testament! It’s just all right here! I really was surprised. Also, since Israel is only the size of New Jersey, we could just about see the entire country from east to west. Jordan and the Dead Sea were clearly visible in the east, and we could just make out Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean in the west.

So a few significant places we visited today were Samuel’s “gravesite” (really just a really old mosque built in his honor), a monastery built on a hilltop where Elijah traveled (the monastery was built in his honor), and finally a really nice park constructed on a hilltop overlooking the Old City where Abraham first saw Mount Moriah and realized that was the place he would have to sacrifice his son Isaac.

One of our professors said recently that by the end of these 4 months we’d love this city so much and be so familiar with it that it would become “our city”. I’m quickly coming to realize however, even after being here only a week and a half, that I already love it! I’m still not completely oriented with it, but I love it none the less! It’s absolutely amazing to be able to look at anything and everything and just know that there is so much history associated with that thing, and to walk where prophets have walked thousands of years before. It’s quite humbling, and I love it!!!

Bethlehem!

South side of the Mount of Olives

Our group at the 7 Arches Overlook (yes that's our professor laying down in front)

View of the Dead Sea and Jordan from Augusta Victoria Bell Tower

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5 comments:

Lili and Jeff said...

That looks fantastic Jeff! I wish I was there. It looks super fun, and very cool that every thing is with in the city! I didn't know everything was that close! My stars, everything looks simply amazing. And what a wonderful group of people to share it with. Is that everyone who went? Or just a smaller group?

January 17, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Jonny said...

I am amazed. Keep the posts and pictures coming.

January 20, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Unknown said...

Looks pretty neat. Nice that you can see all those places related to the Lord and such. I didn't have a concept of how small it is . . .

January 20, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Caitlin said...

I am SO JEALOUS!!! You have Brother Draper!!! Please tell him and Sister Draper hi from Caitlin. I miss them so much. They are the best! And I wish I were there. I bet these pics were from the first Field Trip called "Geography FT" haha. Wow good times!!! If you have any questions... let me know! P.S. Your finance is way cute. I was with her the other night for a bit.
-Caitlin

January 21, 2008 at 1:54 AM
Lili and Jeff said...

NEW BLOG PLEASE. Jeff? New blog. Post a new one.

February 7, 2008 at 11:11 AM

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