Armageddon

May 20, 2011

I decided to allow myself a day of being sick on Thursday, and skipped the tour.  I stayed in the hotel and spent most of the day sleeping.  One of my better decisions, as I no longer feel like an overused dish rag.  Even Tiberias doesn’t look quite so seedy, and I enjoyed going for a short walk after dinner and walking through the little stalls to see the “Made in China / India” authentic Israeli souvenirs.  Just like everywhere else LOL

So this morning we’re headed up to Jerusalem.  It’s “up” because (according to our now-Jewish evangelical) Jerusalem sits at the highest point in all of Israel, and it’s a blessing to go there for the Jews.  Our first stop is the Jordan river, where there are some adult baptisms being performed in yet another kibbutz-run shopping mall (everything is for the community! Low prices – which is why olive oil costs twice as much here as in the supermarket!)  Some notable names adorn this wall, presidents, heads of state – several American pastors. 

We leave there for Mt. Carmel, where the prophet Elijah battled the priests of Ba’al to prove who worshipped the real God.  Standing there, you overlook the plain of Armageddon, where the “Last Battle” will take place.  (Pictures available)  Eerily, flocks of birds took to the air and circled overhead before flying off toward Jerusalem. (cue disaster music)

The highlight, for me, was Caesarea, a magnificent ruin on the Mediterranean coast.  It contained the remains of Herod Antipas’ palace, with the mosaic floors only recently uncovered (pictures available.)  There’s a hippodrome, a still-standing theatre (which was being prepared for a very modern show) and several pillars.

After that, a very prosaic drive through Tel Aviv to look at a door (don’t ask) and finally into Jerusalem.  Fr. Brennan did do what he had long promised, and he sang “The Holy City” as we drove in (sadly, no gates) through the tunnel.  His voice has not lost its power, even in a moving bus and with the questionable accompaniment of some of the songsters in the group!  I admit, I cried.  There was a tear.  I think I can upload a clip for you to hear it…


Previous

Next

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cloyd

Image
I don’t know how to write this today.  Just yesterday I wrote that my dad was improving and strong; today he passed out, could not be resuscitated and died shortly before 12:30 ECT/EDT.  We are all reeling in shock.  It seems that this morning he woke as usual, had his breakfast, followed his morning routine and then just… stopped.  My sister called for an ambulance which arrived quickly (We’re essentially across the street from the hospital) and they tried reviving him; he was rushed straight in on arrival, where they continued to work on him for over half an hour, but he never revived.  My siblings who were there were texting throughout so that we (in Canada) were kept updated.  They showed us his body after everything was over, and he looks peaceful.  Thankfully, he experienced no pain or discomfort, just fell into unconsciousness.  He’s been moved from the hospital morgue to the funeral home while we try to settle on his final arrangements.  It’s so surreal; he was arguing and prot
Read more

Chemo

Image
First of all, happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating.  I wish your families peace and light in this season of miracles!  The first menorah candles were lit at sunset in City Hall today, and on the Hill, so I add my wishes to all of those.  It was bitterly cold today again, all of -18 when I had to head off to my appointment.  It’s also a record-setting day in Ottawa; we’ve had 59 consecutive hours of snowfall this week and it looks like it wants to try to break that record already.  It was the little fine, driving snow, which blows hard but doesn’t accumulate quickly; it’s dry enough to be brushed off, but the wind makes up for that!  Jerry curled up in my lap, shivering, and wouldn’t move on the way home.  Don was a superstar, taking me to the hospital and waiting… they told me it would be about an hour, but the chemo unit was running a bit late, plus there was all the fun of them saying that they didn’t have my blood work, so lots of excitement.  It worked out well, and I was about
Read more

The surprise!

Image
Gee, I look like my mom in this photo.  Although I suppose that I look like her anyway, but it stands out more here.  I’ll get more into this in a minute, I need to fill you in on other stuff.  First off, the weather is busy being Ottawa winter grey and gloomy, so it’s not encouraging in the slightest.  Dark when you wake up, overcast during the day, dark early… no wonder Jerry doesn’t want to be away from people and cuddles!  He’s perfectly happy to sit on a lap and be stroked when he’s not rampaging around playing with his toy!  Don didn’t sleep too well last night; according to him, he ‘missed his cue’ to go to bed and was awake for hours watching… yes, you guessed it!  He napped a little this morning, but I hope he’ll get a better rest tonight.  Although it’s Saturday, and that means… 🏒 and tomorrow is 🏈 so I’ll just dive into a book somewhere. Yesterday I went in to the hospital to do my blood transfusion.  There was a mixup… I got there and called for a porter and a wheelchair,
Read more