Kim Priore

Well, we’re back safe and sound from the Kinneret, otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee (if you’re a Dan Cloutier music fan then you already knew that term! Hi Dan!).  It was an amazing two days of seeing the incredibly varied geography that makes up this tiny country, as well as the absolute wealth of archeological sites, which, if you’re a geek like me, is a blast and a half.  But it was awesome, we saw ruins at Korazim, Bethsaida, Capernaum, Dan, and Banias – known in Biblical times as Caesaria Philippi.  We also saw the churches of: the Mount of the Beatitudes, The Primacy of Peter, the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, and the one over Peter’s house in Capernaum.  Very cool.  And it’s really amazing how it just brings all of the stories to life and allows you to picture things really happening.  My brother’s wealth of knowledge makes him a great tour guide, so if you’re in the market for a tour of the Holy Land, I would highly recommend this guy. 

On the agenda for tomorrow is seeing the sights around Bethlehem – Doug’s arranged for a tour through one of his students so apparently a couple of Arab dudes are picking me and Shan up at the school gates tomorrow morning and taking us to the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square and the Shepherds Field and all that good stuff.  Awesome.  I’m sure Shan will try and bribe them into taking us to like Ramallah or Hebron, where she is just itching to go.  Today we were up in the Golan Heights by the Syrian border and there’s all these signs that say ‘beware of the land mines’ on the side of the road, and so naturally Shan had to have her picture taken next to one of those.  Good times.  She says if we avoid Hebron because it’s unsafe that means the terrorists have already won.  I say I’m willing to concede that battle.  We shall see…

So that’s all from Beit Jala this evening folks – having a fantastic time, wishing I could have tucked you all in my suitcase, but alas, it was full of Doritos.  And other stuff. 

Night!