BEIJING TO LONDON CRUISE- 78 DAYS : HAIFA, ISRAEL--DAY 2

Thursday, May 9th
JERUSALEM & BETHLEHEM
Today was an INCREDIBLE day. We stood just a few feet from where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Then in Jerusalem we walked the same narrow street following in the same foot steps that he walked carrying the cross to Calvary where he was nailed to it. We viewed where his body was anointed with oil (olive oil) and his tomb. Sorry but there is no way my photos can show the whole experience, and definitely cannot relate the feelings we felt. I hope someday you will be able to visit the Holy Land also.
I'm not sure why we did this tour out of Haifa instead of Ashdod (port near Tel Aviv). Ashdod is much closer to both Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Anyway, we had a 2 1/2 hour bus ride down to Jerusalem so our guide had plenty of time to talk about Israel's history and about Israel today. Like he told us, the best reference for the history is The Bible. Every day when leaving the ship, at the bottom of the gangway there were Israeli security people checking our passports, stamped landing cards, and also spot checking bags we were taking off the ship. We were not checked the first day but today they directed us to a table were an agent took every single thing out of my backpack and Rebecca's purse. I had quite a bit of "stuff" in my backpack to it took several minutes as the agent (a young lady) was in NO hurry. By the time I got to our bus it was just starting to pull away. I got in front of it and so the driver stopped for me. Rebecca was already on board so guess she was going to let them leave me. Our bus was checked each day at the port gate again by security before allowed to go back to the ship. There was also a security check of bags before entering the gates of old Jerusalem. I will talk about Bethlehem later.
Ok, here is a list of the top 5 industries in order of importance to their economy. 1) Diamonds-They do not have mines but most diamonds are brought here to be cut and polished. Jewelers come here from all over the world to buy these diamonds. 2) Security (read military)-25% of the government's budget is on the military. 3) Tourism-This is a country of 8 million people but 6 million tourists come here every year. 4) High Tech-Some of the finest minds in the world are Israelis developing computer, satellite, and other high tech equipment and programs. 5) Olives-Olive trees are about everywhere here. They export the olives plus olive oils. In addition to the above we drove by all kinds of farms and groves today. Israel is a very small country but they use every inch they can to produce grain, fruit, and vegetables. Here is what they raise: lots of wheat that was just being harvested, corn, cotton, olives, oranges, grapes for wine, watermellon, strawberries, bananas, cherry tomatoes, avocados, and even cacti.
Let me describe the life of the Israelis. At age 3 the kids go to kindergarten, at age 6 they start 12 years of mandatory education. After graduation from high school they go into the military. Men will serve 3 years and women will serve 2 years. If for religious reasons (some muslims) you can't do military service, then you have to do public service for the same number of years. After this men are still obligated to be in the military reserves for 20 to 35 years depending on what their specialty is. They spend 35 to 40 days a year doing reserve service. After their initial military service they can then do what ever they want: go to universities or get a job. Everywhere we went we saw young people (men and women) walking around in uniform. Some were even carrying weapons.

Wheat field-Their crops are irrigated and looked to me like they would produce bumper crops.

Acres and acres of greenhouses covered large areas along the road.

The road sides even had olive or some other food type plant on them.

More greenhouses

We stopped at a kind of truck/car stop for toilet break. It was next to an army armor base. You can see some tanks at small museum on hill.

Israeli military. These rifles did not have bullet clip in the weapon but was attached and ready to stick in.

Monastery where monks take vow of silence. They can only speak when praying.

Entering Jerusalem. All buildings (commercial and housing) MUST be built with stone.

In fore ground are some 1000 year old olive trees.

Jerusalem in background--Listening devices are around our necks so our guide can talk to us when walking through streets of Old Jerusalem later on. Photo taken from Mount of Olives.

Looking up from Garden of Gethsemane to west wall of Old Jerusalem. Old Jerusalem had a wall around it for protection. The Garden of Gethsemane was at the base of the Mount of Olives and this is where the olives were pressed by stones to get the oil out in the time of Jesus. The gate above (Golden Gate) in the wall is where the Messiah, when he returns, is to enter Jerusalem again.

Garden of Gethsemane--These olive trees are over 1000 years old.

Church of all Nations

This is where Jesus was said to have prayed just before his arrest. As with all churches in this part of the world, they were destroyed by different invaders and rebuilt several times over the years. Obviously the church here was not here 2000 years ago.

Sorry for blurry pics but flash would be of no use.

The actual bedrock that Jesus is believed to have prayed before his arrest.

Golden Gate

On the door is the "Jerusalem Cross". The 5 crosses represent the 5 wounds that Jesus had when he was nailed to the cross.

Gold domed church is a Russian Orthodox church.

graveyard

This is the gate we used to enter the walled area of Old Jerusalem. During its long history Jerusalem was destroyed 2 times, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. The oldest part of the city was established 3000 years BC.

Gate we entered, after security check of course.

This is the "Wailing Wall" which is on west wall of Old Jerusalem.

Dolorosa is the street (I would call it a path) the Jesus was made to carry his cross through on his way up to Calvary. We walked the same path. When Jesus was making his way you have to imagine this narrow street lined with many people and donkeys so it was not an easy task. His cross is estimated to have weighed around 300 pounds. Our walk was probably about a half mile and up hill all the way.

Kind of sad but shops all along the street now.

Today Delorosa is marked with 9 "Stations of the Cross". There are 5 more but they are in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Event happened at each station. This is #5 and is where Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus. At station #4, Jesus is said to have met his mother, Mary. He fell at stations 3, 7, & 9. Stations #1 &2 are where Pontius Pilate tried and convicted Jesus.

Station #6--Veronica wipes sweat from Jesus.

Station #8--Jesus has encounter with some pious women and gives them a short sermon.

Not marked but is station #9--where he fell for 3rd time.

This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In 326AD a church was built over the site on Calvary hill where Jesus was crucified and also buried. As I said earlier, over the centuries all churches have been destroyed and rebuilt several times. This one is no exception. The important parts of the churches are the "grottos", remains of the artifacts.

This is altar at location on Calvary where Jesus was crucified.

This is not the actual slab of stone that Jesus was anointed on but represents it. Many tourists think it is actual one and kneel to kiss it. This is another of the "stations".

Under this is the tomb of Jesus. Line was very long so we did not get inside.

Jaffa Gate--small on on right

Jaffa Gate to enter or exit Old Jerusalem. We are exiting here.

Heading to Bethlehem

Bethlehem is controlled by Palestinian Authority. There is a wall around Palestine and we had to enter this gate. Israelis are not permitted in. Except for tour bus drivers. Our guide lives in Minnesota half the year so has dual citizenship and could enter with us. A Palestinian guide took over however and gave us tour while in Bethlehem. It was a good place to shop as there are no taxes here.

How the ingenuity of "knocking off" the name of this place.

Street cop with loaded weapon directing traffic.

Church of the Nativity. Covers "grotto" inside where Jesus was born.

Jerusalem Cross

Again this church was destroyed and rebuilt several times. This is size of the third rebuild and one used now. So small in order to keep 16th century men from riding their horses in to the church.

Grotto is below this and is where Jesus was born.

Above the door leading down below ground level in to grotto. We were very lucky as line was short and we got to enter.

This is where Jesus was believed to have been born. On other side was passage way (could not go there) leading down to where it is believed the animals were kept in stable.

This is place or Orthodox Jews to worship.

This is the original mosaic tiled floor of the first church built back in 4th century AD. Note how far below present church floor it is.

Palestine

After stopping at a store to do some shopping for 45 minutes we exited the gates going back into Israel. I bought Rebecca a very nice necklace with the Jerusalem Cross on it. If you wear it here you will be blessed!