Trip To Israel

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