Testing post

This morning starts like all mornings in the past week, early. At 0730, we leave the Paradise Premium Hotel not by bus, but on foot.

We visit a religious article shop next door owned by Palestinian Christians. This religious group makes up only slightly more than 2% of the population, surprising in this land were Christianity was established. Purchasing a few souvenirs such as olive-wood carvings helps support this community.

Bethlehem may not be the cleanest city in the world, but the focus of everyone we have meet is one thing, Peace. All you need to do is pass through a “Checkpoint” into the occupied territory, by Israel, or see the demolition of homes in Jerusalem by Israeli solders, to see there is a long way to go for that.

Brother Dave’s traveling rule #1; learn a few words in the local language, here being Arabic, as it will take you a long way. We found this very true while attending a Lutheran Church service and later with our guide George Saadi, who helped us navigate the busy streets of the Bethlehem Market for lunch.


We visited Shepard’s Fields Church, built on top of the caves where “Shepard’s Quaked” when an angel appeared to tell them of the birth of Jesus.


Several murals decorate the interior of the church but it is the acoustics that cause pilgrims, such as us, to break out into spontaneous Christmas Carols.

Next stop, the Shepard’s Caves.



Were it only seemed fitting to hear a reading about this event.

Finial, off to the Church of the Nativity. Here a 2+ hour line lead us to the remains of a small stone cave currently under the watchful eye of the Greek Orthodox Church.

I had wanted to get a picture of the “Silver Star” said to mark the location of Jesus’ Birthplace.


At the exact moment I took the photo, I was bumped, reveling what is most likely the true location.

After 24 hours of air & bus travel we were greeted by a spectacular sunrise over the Sea of Galilee.

After 24 hours of air & bus travel we were greeted by a spectacular sunrise over the Sea of Galilee.

We’re on the threshold of adventure with bags packed headed for the Holy Land.

After nearly 12 hours in the air and countless more in airport terminals, check-in lines, and three security check points, we arrived home to our "Beach Cottage".

After unpacking, sorting through mail, and catching up on some needed sleep, we discovered several photos and some video footage that didn't make it into our blog, the first time.

So, we put together, as a YouTube. We hope you enjoy this short look back at Scotland from what we picked up off, "The Cutting Room Floor".

Cheers,
Jeff and Wendy