Trip To Israel

Well, it's over. I made it to the bitter end, and feel pretty good about it!

It was a bittersweet walk to the site this morning, as I gazed once again over Bethlehem as it slept, and watched the sun rise over our site. It was a pretty easy last day. We worked until 9, ate breakfast, had a group photo, and then went back to work. Stopped at 11:20 for a fruit break and then, just as we were going to start back, a group of young children came to 'experience' a dig, and our area was chosen for them to do that. So, we started cleaning up as the kids wielded small picks and dug into the dirt. Our area is so packed with pottery, that all the children had a chance to 'discover' a piece of pottery, and they had the opportunity to clean-up after their dig.

We discovered more coins and a seal impression on the handle of a piece of pottery today, making it a very productive last two days. Also, they found that the markings (that I asked about two weeks ago) form a 'tree' shape in the ritual bath that we had excavated the first two weeks. Now they are taking all kinds of photos of that!

It's been great fun, and I have enjoyed myself immensely. The lessons I've learned will last a lifetime.

Thanks to all the folks at BAR, and the great folks at First Pres Wharton, as well as other folks in the community. The trip has been great.

But, now to pack and get ready for the long trip home. Boy will I be glad to be able to read road and street and store signs again!

Love to all,
Debbie

Well, I guess a perfect length of time for a dig for me would be 11 days. Today was the 12th day of digging, and I hit the wall. My legs hurt, my left foot hurts, and my right hand, fingers, wrist and arm hurt. I'm tired. Do I sound like I'm ready to come home?

Saturday was a big day of visiting the northern coast of Israel. We went to Akko, Haifa and Caesarea. Haifa was absolutely gorgeous. The Ba'hai Faith has their headquarters there and their gardens surrounding their temple are beautiful. One can't describe them...they must be seen. I'll have to upload photos later, my photoshop program is not cooperating.

We saw Crusader ruins in Akko and Caesarea besides Herod's big temple ruins and amphitheatre as well as another theatre in which they still perform. We stood in the ruins of the place where Paul was on trial. If that doesn't give you chillbumps I don't know what will!

On Sunday I did two things that I swore to everyone I wouldn't do. I went out on my own into Jerusalem, for one. I visited the Yad Vashem Museum, or the Holocaust Museum. It is an unbelievable complex. More time was needed, but it was a great tribute and reminder of that terrible atrocity. Many times one is moved to tears.

The second thing I did that I said I wouldn't do, is to cross the "line" and I went into Bethlehem with a small group to go to worship. We went to a Baptist Church. Although going through the checkpoint was easy for us, it was very eerie because of the military feel of it all, and I was quite uncomfortable, until we got to the church. Then, I felt at home. Though they spoke and sang in Arabic, the Holy Spirit was very present and I must say I really enjoyed myself. Getting back into the Israel side was as easy as getting over to Bethlehem, but I must say I was glad to be back. I don't know if I can ever sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" again. It's innocence, that we usually feel when we sing that song, is pretty much destroyed, in my mind.

Today I sat in on the pottery "reading" session. Very interesting. I am beginning to be able to tell what certain pieces are, just from the pieces we collect, and am beginning to know what time period they come from. The education I'm getting in archeology is great, but really only good for over here! As the experts got more and more tired, they kept slipping out of English, and speaking Hebrew. Therefore, I didn't get as much info as the evening wore on. They also served some 'coffee' which was the strongest and strangest tasting stuff I've ever had. It was served in a very small glass, and I had to sip it. Very sweet too.

The last two days have proved pretty unproductive for our area. Everytime the Director comes by he tells us to dig deeper and faster. I'm getting tired of both! But, as they always say, "Dig deeper, and we shall see!"

Last night we visited the site of the Church of the Katisma. Katisma is a Greek word for 'sitting.' It is the legendary site of Mary sitting on her way to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. It was remarkable. Probably the best site of ruins I've seen so far, because of the story behind the church, etc. The stone has been moved to the Church of the Holy Seplechure (spelling?) in the Old City. There is also a current legend about the stone -- that if you want to have a baby, just go and rub the stone. Two years ago one of the team members did so, and last year she had a baby! So, I stayed as far away from the stone as I could! So did many others!

Well, dinner is calling, so I'd better sign off for now. I'm looking forward to coming home and sharing more stories and hundreds of boring photos (and a few very interesting ones).

Blessings to all.
Debbie

Well, it was an exciting end to the week. In the 'pit' a COIN was found!!! Also they found some glass and, finally, the bottom floor of the pit. The prevailing opinion is that it is a mitkvah (or however you spell it -- I guess I should look that up!)

I found the pieces of a tiled floor -- even more, clumped together, not just hundreds of individual ones, but some clumps. I got very excited and thought I would find the entire floor...but I didn't. I did find a bird bone, and some pretty green glass that had sparkles of other colors in it. Some day they'll tell us what time period all of this is from. We're guessing Roman times, 30 BC to 70 AD. I guess a 100 year span isn't bad.

At our get-together last night we said goodbye to those who have stayed the first two weeks. One of our crewmembers is leaving, Volker, from Belfast. We will miss him. He's been a good guy and hard worker.

They took pictures of the areas today. We had to clean them up -- that means brushing all the stones, and the dirt, and creating tons of dust. We all were sneezing and carrying on. But it looked great. We had to take down our shade-nets because they told us they were going to take some photos from a helicopter. It turned out the helicopter was a remote-controlled minature -- something like remote-controlled gas-propelled airplanes. It was pretty funny. They did a bunch of still shots, and I even got in a couple. Who knows? Someday I may be a part of the official write-up of the Archeological Finds at Ramat Rahel!

There were no other real big finds today. I will be on a trip to Caesarea, Haifa and Akko tomorrow and get to see the Mediterranean other than from the airplane. Chances are it's going to be real hot. It'll be the last tour I take before coming home.

I must say I'm looking forward to being back home, but I will never ever forget this wonderful experience. The dig has been the highlight of the visit. I will never forget the team members or the leadership of this dig. I will bring back tons of photos and memories for a lifetime.

Until next time,
Shalom my friends!

We started a new area in C2 today! Yeah! We are digging around a couple of big stones, that may be part of a 7th Century BC wall. So far we have found hundreds of little tiles, about 1/4 inch square. I spent all day digging there today.

Thursdays are fun on the site. We work like crazy, but we get popsicles during our break -- and they have coca-cola popsicles. YUM!

The big news was down in the "pit" again. Chris, our excellent digger, found a pot almost intact. That was cool. Also he found a candle holder, a piece of marble that was formed like an egg, two beads -- probably from some jewelry, and a bone needle, intact. With the eye in it! About 3 inches long. Quite remarkable stuff.

Then, on Thursday nights, we have a tour of the site, so that we can see what each area is uncovering. After that, we have dinner and then we all get together for powerpoint presentations from each area. It's a hoot!

The finds around the sites are amazing. We have a cave that is about 8 meters deep, and they are asking for volunteers for next week. You won't find me there.

Oh, and for all my friends that suggested that I bring jeans??? Well, I STILL DON'T NEED THEM AND AM GLAD I DIDN'T BRING ANY!!!!

I am wearing all my tee shirts, and I sure appreciate it. I bet the lady that cleans my room each day wonders why I keep throwing away teeshirts. Two days ago she took it out of the trash can and left it on a table nearby!

Last week I wore my "Shalom Ya'll" teeshirt. It just takes all the fun out of it when you have to explain to the Israeli's what it means, and they still look at you funny and say, "Oh, that's nice."

Working on this dig has been a great experience. Even though I will be ready to go home next weekend, I will miss not being here to see the final 'finds' and celebrate with the great crew on the hard work we've all done. After hearing folks who have been on other digs, this is rated one of the very best, if not the best dig in the middle east. I like it for the wonderful view. Every morning I walk up to the site from the hotel and look over on the hill overlooking Bethlehem, and think about David taking care of his sheep, on that hill or on the very hill on which I am climbing. Or, maybe the shepherds watching their flocks by night were sleeping on my site when the hosts of angels sang to them...If that don't give you goosebumps...

Shalom and love to all
Debbie

Well, yesterday we worked hard again, and then showered quick to get ready to go to the Old City of Jerusalem. We went to the Davidson Archeological Park and it was very interesting. Then to the Old City. Well...it was a rushed trip. We went pass the Western Wall (formerly known as the Wailing Wall.) The square was full of people. They have a trough with several water faucets on it so they can wash their hands before praying at the wall. The men have about 3/4 of the wall to pray at, and the women all crowd into a smaller section. Perhaps they think that more men need to praying...

We went on the Via Dolorosa, the walk that Jesus made to the cross. Of course, the street is about 60 feet higher than it would have been in Jesus' day. AND the streets are extremely narrow AND there are vendors on either side and it is very dirty.

Then we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and saw the Rock on which Jesus was crucified, the stone he was laid on to dress for burial, and his tomb. The church story is really bizarre -- I'll have more to say about that later.

At the end of day we were exhausted. There was a small controversy about whether or not Jesus was NAILED to the cross or HUNG on the cross by his arms being roped around the arms of the cross and hung.

Today we walked around like zombies. I worked on the floor of a water pit and then we strated working on a NEW SITE! YEAH! AND, they are going to let us bring some pottery samples home. They have a huge dump where they keep throwing out all our hard-found pottery pieces. So, I'll have some good pieces to bring back. I'll be sure to show them off!

So, that's about it for today. Gotta run for another meeting!

Shalom.