Visiting The Holy Land

There are plenty of fun things to do and beautiful places to see while in Israel. But it is religion that brings millions of people to the holy land.

Religion continues to play a huge role in modern Israel.

Sometimes a very serious role. . .

Other times less so. . .

Jerusalem has been considered the holiest city in Judaism for centuries. The Temple Mount is believed to be the place God chose for the divine presence to rest. Two temples once stood on this spot (both were destroyed hundreds of years ago). A portion of the retaining wall built to fortify the hill for the temple remains to this day.

Today, the Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism. Jews come from all over the world to pray at the Western Wall.

For Muslims Jerusalem is also considered a sacred city. After Mecca and Medina, Jerusalem is home to their third holiest site, the Dome of the Rock.

Fountain for cleansing and purification outside the Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located on the Temple Mount. Muslims believe that it was from this location that Mohammed ascended into heaven. Non-Muslims are allowed to enter the Temple Mount area for only a few hours on designated days. However, only Muslims are allowed to enter the shrine or to worship on the Temple Mount.

I enjoyed learning more about these religions and visiting their holy sites. However, as someone raised Catholic, it was great fun to visit places I grew up hearing about in church.

 

While fetching water from this well in Nazareth, Mary was told that she was pregnant with Jesus.

In Nazareth I took part in a candlelight procession in honor of Mary. It was an incredibly peaceful, beautiful and spiritual experience!

Bethlehem is home to the Church of the Nativity – the oldest continually operating Christian church in the world.

This church was built on the location of the manger where Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Site of Jesus’ birth

Just outside of Bethlehem you can visit the “Shepherd’s Field” where the local shepherds were told of the holy birth.

I also visited the River Jordan – the site of Jesus’ baptism.

One day while traveling on a public bus, we passed through the small town of Cana. . .wasn’t there a big wedding there once?

I was continuously charmed as each biblical place became real right in front of me! Which brings me back to Jerusalem. . .

For Christians, Jerusalem is the city where Jesus was crucified. The Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) is a street that runs through the old city of Jerusalem.

This road marks the route that Jesus walked carrying his cross. Along the way, the stations of the cross are clearly marked and pilgrims (some even carrying crosses of their own) follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre built on the site of the actual crucifixion.  

The Rock of Calvary – cracked in half by Jesus’ blood

The Stone of Anointing – where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial

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Air and Water Show

Anyone who knows me from Chicago knows that my favorite days each year are the annual Air & Water show on the lakefront. For two days modern technical achievements are showcased both in the water and overhead.

Sadly, this year I missed the Air & Water Show for the first time in more than a decade. But it seems that Mother Nature had her own air and water show in store!

While staying in southern Israel, I had the opportunity to spend two days camping and hiking in a remote region of the Negev Desert. Luckily I was with a former Ranger who is an expert on the Negev.

Late on the first afternoon, we were hiking through this pass on our way back to camp:

Suddenly, there was lightening in the distance. Then the air temperature dropped by about 20 degrees almost instantly -- being a good Midwestern girl, I knew what was coming. Average precipitation in the Negev in October is less than ¼ of an inch. Obviously, this was going to be an above average day! It quickly got darker, and colder. Then the rain started. By the time we made it back to camp (and the truck), I was completely soaked! Then Mother Nature’s air show began.

I spent more than thirty minutes mesmerized by the lightening storm overhead.

Sometimes the sky lit up so brightly, it looked almost like daytime!

Then, over the sound of rain and thunder, another sound started to resonate. . . the sound of rushing water. We turned on the lights of the truck and found a small stream flowing through the campground -- the “water” portion of the show!

A flash flood is the rapid flooding of low-lying areas often caused by heavy rains. A flash flood differs from a regular flood in that it occurs in less than six hours. Flash floods are extremely dangerous because people tend to underestimate the speed and power of the rushing water – even a car offers little protection. Less than two feet of water can carry away an SUV!

In deserts, flash floods are often even more dangerous for several reasons. First, storms in arid regions aren’t as common but tend to drop enormous amounts of rain in a relatively short period of time. (I can attest to that firsthand!) Secondly, the soil in many deserts (like the Negev) is poorly-absorbent and almost clay-like so the water doesn’t sink in as you would expect. The clay soil quickly seals up forcing the rain water to rapidly rush along the desert floor. Finally, since rain and rivers are rare in the desert, debris builds up between storms causing flash floods to carry large amounts of rocks, branches, and other heavy items.

So there I was, in the middle of the desert, witnessing an actual flash flood.

This small river was rushing right down the canyon we had just hiked up. (Thankfully, we had made it back to camp 30 minutes earlier!) As we watched, the river became wider and faster. . .until it was nearly 100 feet to the other side!

The power of Mother Nature is awe-inspiring!

The morning after, the river was gone but signs of last night’s water show remained.

In some places, the remaining water was deep.

Even deep enough to swim. . . in the middle of the desert!

When driving back to “civilization” two days later, signs of Mother Nature’s show still lingered. . .

What an amazing experience. I am so lucky to leave the desert with memories of an air show and a water show unlike any I’ve seen before!

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My Heroes!

Ever have a rough day?

Israel is full of national parks offering opportunities for hiking, climbing, camping, rappelling, and more. Both Israelis and tourists love to spend time outside enjoying nature. Unfortunately, combine lots of people with harsh and desolate places and there is ample opportunity for accidents to happen.

To deal with these accidents, there are twelve Search and Rescue units around the country – each covering a different region. These units are the first line of defense for all search and rescue emergency calls. For more serious search or rescue efforts, the Israeli Army is available with helicopters and other military equipment.

When a call comes into the Police Department, it is forwarded to the appropriate regional Search and Rescue Commander for action.

All work done by the Search and Rescue units is on a volunteer basis. Members have a background check and an annual physical. Many have skills from their time in the military (mandatory for most Israeli citizens). The units train their volunteers in rappelling, searching, investigation, and water rescue – taught through the Army Reserve. Most medical personnel working with the Search and Rescue Units were army medics.

The Negev Mountain unit covers most of the Negev desert in southern Israel. There are 70 registered members. Ironically, despite covering the desert region, this unit has the most extensive experience with water rescues – due to flash floods in the region. Incidentally, the Negev Mountain unit has a twin city relationship with the Denver, Colorado Search & Rescue unit (Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue). This group has trained in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain group has trained in the Negev.

The Negev Search and Rescue unit gets an average of 2 calls per week. Roughly 80% of the calls involve a search rather than a rescue (someone has gotten lost in the desert or other region and needs help). But, about 4 times per year a rappelling rescue is required.

In order to be able to deal with various rescue scenarios, every month the group has a rappelling training in a different area. Twice per year they have a major, three-day search operation training.

Which brings me back to my rescue. . .

I saw a flyer in the hostel where I’ve been staying in the Negev.

The minute I saw this (especially the stretcher on the zip line photo) I knew I had to volunteer! So, I agreed to be a “victim” for the unit’s monthly rappelling training session. We hiked about 2 miles into the desert where I "injured" myself in a canyon and was then carried in a stretcher for another 2 miles over rough, rocky terrain.

Next, we came to a 130 foot cliff (in complete darkness) and had to rappel down the cliff -- I was in the stretcher the whole time. It was so scary to be pushed over the edge of the cliff, with my fingers crossed that the ropes were all properly attached! (Of course, had anything gone wrong, at least the Search and Rescue team was nearby!)

Llamas came on this training exercise to carry the rescue equipment over the rough terrain for which they are well suited. It felt a bit like I was back in South America and not the Middle East!

Sharing the bus back to town with a llama

Since I had so much fun as a victim, I volunteered again the following month, for an early morning training.

The second training was in daylight so I could see what I was getting into! I rappelled down a steep incline with lots of loose rocks. Then I waited for the team to arrive to “rescue” me, put me in the stretcher, and carry me back up the cliff.

I had a great time as a victim in the desert. (Naturally, it’s fun when you’re not actually lost or injured). I was very impressed with the skills and professionalism of the Search and Rescue unit. And of course what girl doesn’t love to be rescued?!?

If you visit Israel, I hope that you don’t have cause to meet the men and women of the Search and Rescue units. But should the need arise; know that you’re in good hands.

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