The Bedouin

The nomadic bedouin are traditionally wandering herdsmen, many of whom still live in tents or self-made tents in a manner reminiscent of the children of Isreal in the Bible. They, too, revere Moses and many of their place-names reflect their version of the story of Exodus. The bedouin are divided into tribes, each a chief - the Sheikh - elected by adult males to oversee their tribal interests. However, times and habits are changing and bedouin dwellings are now often huts or houses instead of tents and the automobile is outside the all-purpose camel, although camels are still kept not only for transport, but also for their milk and cheese for food and camel-hair for clothing and shelter. Many men work in the building and tourist industries while the women work at home on bedouin arts and crafts to sell to tourists.
Hospitality is an important aspect of bedouin culture and is performed religiously, even if it means sharing the last piece of bread. Strangers are never asked questions and will immediately be offered refreshments. Honored guests will be served with the meat of a precious goat from the herd, specially slaughtered for them.

Pictures to follow.

Bet Shean

Bet Shean, the Greek Scythopolis, was one of the great cities of olden days. An imprtant junction from the roads fanned out north to Syria, east to to Jordan, south to Egypt and west to the Mediterranean, it was all the time a supply center for the varied produce growing in the area. Exzavation show 18 levels of occupation, from the Chalcolithic era (the fourth millennium B.C.) onward. Finds included Egyptian temples and several stelae inscribed with hieroglyphic writing. These and other items discovered  prove that for at least three hundred years, from about the fifteenth to the twelfth centuries B.C., Bet Shean was the administrative headquarters of Egyptian rule.

I walked on mosaic floor that was laid thousands of years ago. 

 1 Samuel 31:10 tells of Saul's death in battle with the Philistines, who "fastened his body to the walls of Beth-shean". During the time of Christ, the city was one of the Graeco-Roman cities of the Decapolis, an alliance of cities on both sides of the Jordan. From the Hasmonean era many Jews lived in the city. They were massacred around 70 A.D., at the end of the Roman-Jewish war, but in the Talmudic period Jews resettled there and were active in learning and commerce.

Look who's reading the Star News!

 Flax was grown, linen woven and cloth manufactures, for Bet Shean was then a world center for the textile trade and for food production. Jew and Gentile seem to have coexisted side by side, for in addition to the Roman theater dating from 200 A.D., remains of several large synagogues were found, including one with Samaritan inscription. There are also remains of a Roman  colonnaded street which was once lined with shops.

 The early Arab period saw the continuation of Bet Shean's properity, and it was famed for its dates, rice and vineyards. However in 749 an earthquake felled the town and thereafter it fell into obscurity.

I think I wallked a thousand miles today.

Egypt

                           Here I am. The pyramids are huge, bigger than I could have imagined..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is for you Mrs. Yeater.  It was a monkey statue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Egypt

We made it. Today we went to the Ciaro Museum. I saw a lot of mummies.I road a sail boat up the Nile River. Tomorrow we are going to see the Great Pryamids. I can't wait. Mom's having trouble getting picturs off camera. So they will follow later.

Mount Nebo

  Mount Nebo  looking in to the promise land of Jerusalem. It is extreamly windy on this mountain and chilly.

                               They had a model done of Mt. Nebo like I did of Jerusalem.

                     We watched the local artists make and create mosaic pottery at Mt Nebo.

This is the ancient art of making mosaics. 

I miss all my classmates!!!!!

Qumran

Twenty five miles southwest of Jerusalem, Qumran is near the salty Dead Sea. It is the site were the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

 

 

                                           Looking from Qumran out across the Dead Sea.

Church of Agony

Near the bottom of the Mount of Olives is the "Church of Agony" also call "The Church of all Nations." Built in 1924, its artwork recalls the betrayel by Judas and Jesus' agonizing prayer before his arrest. On the ceiling of this church is the flags of many nations, the USA is the first one on the right as you go into the church.

                          Gold Dome of a russian church standing behind the Church of Agony.