Ceasaria, Meggido, Nazareth and Cana Whew!!!!

After a late dinner last night and an early breakfast this morning we were on the bus to Ceasaria. LAst night we travelled from Tel Aviv to Tiberias so it was back to the other side this morning. The day was beautiful, bright sunshine and a gentle breeze with no need for jackets but definitely sun glasses.

Ceasaria has been restored very well to show much of what Herod was trying to do with the beauty of the Amphitheater and the show of the Hippodrome. There is still some of the original Roman marble and local shows are held there on a regular basis. The end of the Hippodrome is not really a 1/2 mile away because the Crusaders built the wall to protect the city at one end. It is easy to imagine the chariots racing and making the turn at the end with the crowds watching from the steps while looking out at the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

There are many small things to see like the Byzantine inlaid mosaics from the floors of ancient buildings. There is one piece with Pontius Pilate's name that bears witness to his time at the time of Jesus. The original is in the museum but the repllica is just fine to see.

The remains of the aquaduct that carried water from Mount Carmel the palace make a stunning sight right by the sea. On a warm day like today we just had to take our shoes off and stand in the water. The day was warm but the water was icy cold.

Back on the bus to go to Meggido. This Tel has been excavated over the years to show the many layers and impact of differing civilations. It is easy to understand why they chose this spot to build a defensible city, you can see for miles, especially on such a beautiful day. After walking to the top of the Tel where you can see the grain storage and some of the troughs for the horses we climbed down the 180 steps to the bottom of hte well which was the way the water got in and the people escaped out.

When I was here several years ago some of my friends on that trip had a race to the bottom and back up to see who could do it in the fastest time. They were in great shape, but understandably exhausted by the end. Good memories.

Lunch at Meggido then on to Nazareth for the church of the Annuciation and the Synogue Church. Both places were meaningful in what they represent. The Annuciation church shows the cave where Mary heard from the Angel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God. The church is beautiful with exquisite pictures all around of the Madonna and child. The various pictures or art are done by different countries to honor Mary. They are each unique works of art representative of the country. I'll post some of the pictures later on the trip.

As we walked up hill from the church we went to a small church called the Synogogue Church as the site where Jesus read the scroll in Nazareth. This small place with wonderful accoustics makes that scripture real for many. It is plain and unadorned with nothing more than a picture of Jesus reading the scroll and an altar. After Melanie read us the passage we sang Spirit of the Living God in beautiful harmony. It is the spirit of hte journey that makes it more alive.

Off to Cana to see the spring of water at the church where the first miracle took place. Walk up the hill, turn a little to ther right and the Greek Orthodox church is there, right across from the First Miracle souvenire shop. I know, it is crazy but the entire little street's business is all about that miracle. The stores sell the icons, the wine, the communion bread, mass wine and other things suitable for water to wine from Cana.

Back to the hotel for dinner and rest. Tomorrow we ride the boat across Galilee.

I hope this gives you a small feeling for what we are seeing and where we are traveling. Get your maps out and check out the locations. Thanks for following along.

(The keyboard is in Hebrew so the letters are off just bit, making the typing a little clumsy.)

Blessings and peace.

C. Kay