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Saturday, February 2, 2013
Last call!
We had a terrific last day in Cairo, and this final blog is being put together in the last few hours at the hotel before we held off to the airport. We're on a 3:10 am flight to Frankfurt, endure a 6 hour layover, followed by the final leg to Detroit.
Clear skies made our first stop at the pyramids really enjoyable, and the 3 that everyone is familiar with are accompanied by another 6 on the same grounds. Impressive to stand next to the big one and reflect on the tools at their disposal when building it. A few intrepid types enjoyed a camel ride, while the rest of us fended off the hoards of vendors. . .although oftentimes various among us broke down and bought something as the country is so poor.
We visited the Citadel, Salladin's fortress overlooking Cairo built in the 11th century. About 200 years ago, a huge mosque was built inside the fortress walls, and we were permitted to enter the mosque to have a look.
We visited Memphis, once Egypt's capital, to view great statuary of Ramses II, a much regarded Pharoah, then off to lunch in a decidedly suspect nearby restaurant. . .which was delightful as young girls were making fresh pitas in brick ovens, and the food among the best lunch meals while in Egypt. . .can 't judge a scroll by its cover, I guess.
We've visited oil essence and rug factories, and a few other craft shops while here, and find high quality work. In the rug factory, lovely rugs were on the looms. . .mostly manned by young boys who have been trained in this art form. I know they appreciate the job when so many are unemployed, but I suspect they are also paid small wages. . .and they work at a healthy pace.
Looking forward to returning home, John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Clear skies made our first stop at the pyramids really enjoyable, and the 3 that everyone is familiar with are accompanied by another 6 on the same grounds. Impressive to stand next to the big one and reflect on the tools at their disposal when building it. A few intrepid types enjoyed a camel ride, while the rest of us fended off the hoards of vendors. . .although oftentimes various among us broke down and bought something as the country is so poor.
We visited the Citadel, Salladin's fortress overlooking Cairo built in the 11th century. About 200 years ago, a huge mosque was built inside the fortress walls, and we were permitted to enter the mosque to have a look.
We visited Memphis, once Egypt's capital, to view great statuary of Ramses II, a much regarded Pharoah, then off to lunch in a decidedly suspect nearby restaurant. . .which was delightful as young girls were making fresh pitas in brick ovens, and the food among the best lunch meals while in Egypt. . .can 't judge a scroll by its cover, I guess.
We've visited oil essence and rug factories, and a few other craft shops while here, and find high quality work. In the rug factory, lovely rugs were on the looms. . .mostly manned by young boys who have been trained in this art form. I know they appreciate the job when so many are unemployed, but I suspect they are also paid small wages. . .and they work at a healthy pace.
Looking forward to returning home, John Smith
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Friday, February 1, 2013
Back in time, again
Our visit to Cairo began in earnest this morning with the visit to the Cairo Museum, which is home to the country's most valuable antiquities. . .most especially King Tut. While the mummy remains in Luxor, site of his tomb, the extensive collection of things he thought needed in his afterlife are on display here. Finding the tomb was, itself, an accident but the sarcophagus contained a Russian doll-like arrangement of a gold coffin, inside a second larger gold and other materials coffin, placed inside a succession of 4 gilded boxes. . .surrounded by furniture, carvings, decorative boxes, jewelry, etc.
We also viewed a copy of the Rosetta Stone, since the Brits haven't yet returned the original. . .this important find allowed Egyptian hieroglyphics to be translated into Greek. . .and a number of original papyrus documents. Scary to see this museum inside. .poorly lit, stray cats running about, doves perched on ledges indoors. . .and the building next to the 10-story HQ of Mubarek 's family henchmen that was totally torched during the revolution.
Cairo is real poor, with thousands of unfinished buildings, trash everywhere, rooftops piled with garbage. . .not sure how this country will ever get out of its own way, but the people have been warm and friendly.
Rain has delayed our visit to the pyramids until tomorrow, which all are looking forward to. Once back to the hotel tomorrow for dinner, we'll be packing and heading to the airport for the first leg of our departure to
Detroit, which is to Frankfurt at 3:10 am Saturday morning. . . .so, I suspect this will be the last entry before our return.
It's been fun, moving. . .places that were sort of blurry images are now clear, and more real. We've spent time up close and personal with several cultures on their turfs, and find many delightful aspects of each one, and certainly reason to think there is more in common than in conflict among christians, jews and muslims. That said, solutions seem no closer to peace in this region than anytime in the thousands of years of history that preceded our arrival.
John Smith
We also viewed a copy of the Rosetta Stone, since the Brits haven't yet returned the original. . .this important find allowed Egyptian hieroglyphics to be translated into Greek. . .and a number of original papyrus documents. Scary to see this museum inside. .poorly lit, stray cats running about, doves perched on ledges indoors. . .and the building next to the 10-story HQ of Mubarek 's family henchmen that was totally torched during the revolution.
Cairo is real poor, with thousands of unfinished buildings, trash everywhere, rooftops piled with garbage. . .not sure how this country will ever get out of its own way, but the people have been warm and friendly.
Rain has delayed our visit to the pyramids until tomorrow, which all are looking forward to. Once back to the hotel tomorrow for dinner, we'll be packing and heading to the airport for the first leg of our departure to
Detroit, which is to Frankfurt at 3:10 am Saturday morning. . . .so, I suspect this will be the last entry before our return.
It's been fun, moving. . .places that were sort of blurry images are now clear, and more real. We've spent time up close and personal with several cultures on their turfs, and find many delightful aspects of each one, and certainly reason to think there is more in common than in conflict among christians, jews and muslims. That said, solutions seem no closer to peace in this region than anytime in the thousands of years of history that preceded our arrival.
John Smith
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Whole lotta nothing. . .
The title works on three levels. . .in our bus ride yesterday and today, covering the length and breadth of the Sinai, it is a big desert occupied by unseen bedouins (who happen to be quite angry with the government and take to blocking roads and generally disrupt normal life from time to time, just to put pressure on the government to address their demands).
Their are also tens of thousands of partially finished hotels, condos, residential dwellings everywhere. . .as if Mubarek had the concrete concession for the whole country! I don't know who was left holding the bag for all of these stranded construction projects but it is both an eyesore and a massive millstone around the neck of Egypt's economy.
Seeing these empty buildings, unfortunately, is the only impression we have after 2 days and 16 hours on the bus driving up and down the Sinai. . .just to get from Jerusalem to Cairo. We saw one spot on Moses' exodus from Egypt today. . .after nightfall, illuminated by the lights from the bus!
Folks are understandably frustrated with our tour provider, especially when the first pit stop came after 5 1/2 hours. . .ouch!
Anyone considering EO for the Egypt extension should talk to us before booking.
John Smith
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Their are also tens of thousands of partially finished hotels, condos, residential dwellings everywhere. . .as if Mubarek had the concrete concession for the whole country! I don't know who was left holding the bag for all of these stranded construction projects but it is both an eyesore and a massive millstone around the neck of Egypt's economy.
Seeing these empty buildings, unfortunately, is the only impression we have after 2 days and 16 hours on the bus driving up and down the Sinai. . .just to get from Jerusalem to Cairo. We saw one spot on Moses' exodus from Egypt today. . .after nightfall, illuminated by the lights from the bus!
Folks are understandably frustrated with our tour provider, especially when the first pit stop came after 5 1/2 hours. . .ouch!
Anyone considering EO for the Egypt extension should talk to us before booking.
John Smith
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Where is Larry, Jack and Shafik when you need them?
OK, I'll say it up front, we were spoiled in Israel. On our first day in Egypt, no question our new hosts are working hard and every bit as personable as Shafik et al but. . .hey. . .this country has fallen on hard times and it shows!
I will quickly add that we feel totally safe. . .totally. . .but you can see unfinished construction during the entire 3 hour drive from the border to Sharm el Sheikh. . .everything seems to have ground to a halt. We're in a resort area and while it is off season, even so Egyptian usage has fallen dramatically.
I need to say that EO dropped the ball on this extension. The brochure mentions we would be at St. Catherine's tonight, allowing for a climb of Mt. Sinai for those interested, and a complete tour of Moses' exodus locations the next day. Well, bedouins have closed the roads to St. Catherine's for months, but EO did not change their brochure. .which, as written, enticed some to make the trip because of the chance to see sunrise at the top of Mt. Sinai. We only learned on crossing the Israeli/Egyptian border that EO would only consider supporting such a trek if the entire bus opted in. . .which wasn't gonna happen. So, basically we'll spend two days in a bus moving from Jerusalem to Cairo. . .Cairo will be fun but EO could have been straight with folks as to the real itinerary before they signed up.
Oh well, we'll buck up and make the best of it. . .pyramids, here we come!
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I will quickly add that we feel totally safe. . .totally. . .but you can see unfinished construction during the entire 3 hour drive from the border to Sharm el Sheikh. . .everything seems to have ground to a halt. We're in a resort area and while it is off season, even so Egyptian usage has fallen dramatically.
I need to say that EO dropped the ball on this extension. The brochure mentions we would be at St. Catherine's tonight, allowing for a climb of Mt. Sinai for those interested, and a complete tour of Moses' exodus locations the next day. Well, bedouins have closed the roads to St. Catherine's for months, but EO did not change their brochure. .which, as written, enticed some to make the trip because of the chance to see sunrise at the top of Mt. Sinai. We only learned on crossing the Israeli/Egyptian border that EO would only consider supporting such a trek if the entire bus opted in. . .which wasn't gonna happen. So, basically we'll spend two days in a bus moving from Jerusalem to Cairo. . .Cairo will be fun but EO could have been straight with folks as to the real itinerary before they signed up.
Oh well, we'll buck up and make the best of it. . .pyramids, here we come!
John Smith
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Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Communion at the Garden Tomb
We had such great weather. . .until today, which was cold, rainy, foggy. . .and yet, somehow, the elements and our visit to the Garden Tomb seemed totally on sync. The Garden Tomb is, for some, another legitimate location for the tomb of Jesus. . .so the less than pleasant weather was perhaps a reminder of the suffering Christ endured for the rest of us.
Jack presided over a communion ceremony in a small chapel on the Garden Tomb grounds, with the blood of Christ served in small olive wood cups from Bethlehem. It was a touching conclusion to our tour of the Holy Land, a tour that has given new meaning and real depth to the events and places that have been a part of our faith.
We visited the Shrine of the Book Museum and saw the Dead Sea scrolls, which were discovered in caves near Qumron which we visited yesterday.
Some folks visited the Holocaust Museum, incredibly well done and a lasting tribute to those who perished. Just about everyone had some time to do a little shopping in Old Jerusalem, rest a bit, pack for the return trip home tonight.
This pilgrimage has been, well, wonderful. . .and we all have different impressions of the week to be sure. . .but you can't help feeling you understand the life of Jesus so much better, that you understand the historical tensions between the Jewish, Muslim And Christian faiths, and that you have made if not deepened 25 friendships from FUMC.
And not to leave out our great new friend, Shafik Khbeis, our tour guide, bible scholar and kindred spirit. . .and his sidekick/driver, Wa-el, who kept us on time all week long.
Most of our group will shortly be wheels up from Tel Aviv, and a few of us will be off tomorrow to Egypt (we will be safe). The blog will continue, so keep checking in!
John Smith
The tomb in the garden
Communion
Our guide, Shafik
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Jack presided over a communion ceremony in a small chapel on the Garden Tomb grounds, with the blood of Christ served in small olive wood cups from Bethlehem. It was a touching conclusion to our tour of the Holy Land, a tour that has given new meaning and real depth to the events and places that have been a part of our faith.
We visited the Shrine of the Book Museum and saw the Dead Sea scrolls, which were discovered in caves near Qumron which we visited yesterday.
Some folks visited the Holocaust Museum, incredibly well done and a lasting tribute to those who perished. Just about everyone had some time to do a little shopping in Old Jerusalem, rest a bit, pack for the return trip home tonight.
This pilgrimage has been, well, wonderful. . .and we all have different impressions of the week to be sure. . .but you can't help feeling you understand the life of Jesus so much better, that you understand the historical tensions between the Jewish, Muslim And Christian faiths, and that you have made if not deepened 25 friendships from FUMC.
And not to leave out our great new friend, Shafik Khbeis, our tour guide, bible scholar and kindred spirit. . .and his sidekick/driver, Wa-el, who kept us on time all week long.
Most of our group will shortly be wheels up from Tel Aviv, and a few of us will be off tomorrow to Egypt (we will be safe). The blog will continue, so keep checking in!
John Smith
The tomb in the garden
Communion
Our guide, Shafik
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Monday, January 28, 2013
A lively time in and around the Dead Sea!
We visited Masada today, mountaintop site of one of King Herod's fortresses in Israel. It lives large in the psyche of Israel when over 900 Jewish rebels, after resisting a two-year Roman siege in 70 AD, took their own lives the night before the west gate was to be breached rather than become slaves. Little took place in the centuries that followed, and the site is a well-tended national park now, and one that is a symbol of Jewish resistance against oppression.
We also visited Qumron, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a cave high above a Essene settlement in 1947. The Essenses, all male, devoted their lives to study and worship, and making copies of various books of the Bible. Until their discovery, the "oldest" bible was from around 1000 AD. . . .and one can imagine how electric the discovery of the Scrolls were as they were copies made in the first century! The Vatican was quickly at the site, over time, relieved that the Scrolls were in fact copies and didn't contain writings that were contradictory to historical teachings.
We put a wrap on the day by taking a dip in the Dead Sea. . .what fun, as no one could possible drown give the water's salinity! Everyone needed to take care not to splash water into eyes or mouth, but floating was fun. . .followed by taking advantage of the therapeutic mud to smooth out the skin. This stuff really works!
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We also visited Qumron, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a cave high above a Essene settlement in 1947. The Essenses, all male, devoted their lives to study and worship, and making copies of various books of the Bible. Until their discovery, the "oldest" bible was from around 1000 AD. . . .and one can imagine how electric the discovery of the Scrolls were as they were copies made in the first century! The Vatican was quickly at the site, over time, relieved that the Scrolls were in fact copies and didn't contain writings that were contradictory to historical teachings.
We put a wrap on the day by taking a dip in the Dead Sea. . .what fun, as no one could possible drown give the water's salinity! Everyone needed to take care not to splash water into eyes or mouth, but floating was fun. . .followed by taking advantage of the therapeutic mud to smooth out the skin. This stuff really works!
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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