Israel Favorites: Where to Shop!

Every time we go on a trip, we are bound to buy something, yes? Going to Israel was no different. I went with certain items in mind, and I left with other things I hadn't even thought of! 

Shkalim Fashions: We were recommended this shop as some friends in our group, who have been going for many years, had high praise for Uri. This guy is amazing! He is friendly, loves to make friends with his customers and goes beyond your average service to make people happy. We bought a shirt and jacket for my husband, as well as a jacket for me. When I had begun the packing process and checked the weather in Israel, it was saying it would be around 60 degrees. I packed for cooler weather, but didn't think I'd need a heavy coat or more than my sweater. I was incredibly wrong! So getting an IDF fleece jacket from Uri's shop was tremendously helpful to me. I wore it every day for the rest of the trip. His shop was within walking distance of the Dan Boutique where we were staying, just down Ben-Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, Israel. If you take a trip to Israel, you MUST stop in and see him. He has a wide variety of clothing, not just your average tourist-type clothing. Each time we stopped in, people were coming and going, always with a smile. I've included a website link for his shop. There are many things missing from the online store that he had in the shop. From Harley Davidson shirts, to funny sayings. One that I hope to get next is the Sababa shirt. It was something that our tour guide, Shraga, kept saying. My husband has the IDF Softshell Jacket. I have the IDF Fleece Jacket. Amazingly good quality. My husband also got the Jerusalem Coordinates T-shirt from there. That one is super soft and comfortable.

The Garden Tomb: At the end of the trip, we made a stop here. Sobering, yet joyful at the same time. The shop here had so many amazing things. They sell more of these olive wood communion cups that we had gotten as a part of taking our communion in the garden and little carved pendants.

This is where I also found a cross for my mother. It was carved from olive wood and each end reminded me of the fleur-de-lis shape.

My husband purchased this model to set up in our home. I could have stayed and shopped more, but we were getting low on our spending money and had to get back on the road. This is another place that I highly recommend. Especially for gifts to take home to family and friends.

Genesis Land: We had a wonderful lunch here, after riding a camel. Once all that fun was over, we were allowed some time to shop. They have a beautiful little shop there that focuses on local artists and products. This is where I purchased some date honey. I had no idea it was such a thing! They also gave me a recipe to make the date honey chicken that we had had for lunch. It was delicious and I have since made some back home! My husband and I are planning to order more later on from them. As well as perhaps more za'atar spice. We LOVE using it in our cooking here!

Israel Favorites: Architecture Beauty

One thing I love, no matter where I go, is seeing variations in architecture. I prefer older buildings as they often have far more character than that of the newer ones. Styles change over the years. Now, most use glass or metal. Once upon a time, they relied on carved stones. Fascinates me every time. In Israel, they will reuse buildings that are hundreds of years old. Strip them down to the bones and give them a modern update. But you still see the old arches and rounded windows. They still cling to those older styles. I really did enjoy walking about the towns and seeing so many of these buildings. Glass can be nice and shiny, but it is cold. Metal heats up in the sun. And we learned that over there, metal is a symbol of war. So they won't use it for buildings. They stick with wood and stone. I can appreciate that. So here are just a few of the places that caught my eye and tickled my fancy, if you will. Enjoy!

This ancient synagogue was built next to the site of Peter's home. It is now a part of a holy site that the Catholics have turned into a tourist destination as well as built a church over Peter's home. The stones still show intricate carving. It would have stood 2 stories high, however, the upper floor has long since fallen away. It was rather massive. Where I'm standing in this photo is actually off to the side of the main room. 

This floor was covered by a mosaic that looks as though it was made with childish drawings. The story goes that a town was poor, yet wanted to spruce up their synagogue. So they hired someone who was not yet a master at the art of mosaics. This guy was cheap, but also not very good at what he did.

You want to see something amazing? Sometimes you need to look up. Some of these remains included ancient Roman archways. Talk about being master builders, they could put stones in arches that fit like a glove and required no glue-like substance to hold them together.

I saw this, but can't remember exactly what it was. I believe it to be another church as the city, no, all of Israel, has many. Towers and spires have always had a special place in my heart when it comes to buildings. Domed roofs and rounded arch windows were dreams for my future home. No castle in my future that I know of, but I love to check them and cathedrals out when I get the chance.

Have I told you how cold I was in Israel? Always triple check the weather before you go. Don't assume it will be as your friends from the tour say it usually is. Weather has been crazy worldwide, and Israel was no different. The weather was nothing like they normally get. So when we first started the tour, I was wearing 3-4 layers of clothing! And still freezing! But I did enjoy the view on this mount that looks towards the Temple Mount.

Can't tell you what this was or where, but I loved the shape. All in stone, but given character nonetheless.

Not all the places we visited with buildings were above ground. Like this one that was excavated underground near the Temple Mount's Western Wall.

So many places have religious signs and symbols. From the Byzantine to the Crusaders to the Christians and Catholics. They mark places throughout the trip.

Driving along a highway, we passed this one. It was 4 tower-like buildings connected by bridgeways!

I think this idea should be standard in apartments in America! Retractable awnings over the balconies.

This unusual building is a part of the museum that is dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is meant to look like the top of the jar that the scrolls were found in.

This was when we visited the Temple Mount. Quite the ornate design, though not nearly so colorful as the mosque up there.

This was a mosque, I believe. What you see in the photo is what they build in their mosques to show which direction to pray in. Towards Mecca.

Not everything was so beautiful as the carvings and arches, however. There are a great deal of ruins to be seen. Take this area, for instance. It was devastated by earthquake. So much so, that the entire city was abandoned. Still, the main road is distinguishable and there are still pillars that stand along it. It marks where the ancient trade road would have been, to bring wealth to the city.

It was mesmerizing! So many pretty places to visit, so little time to do so.

Israel Favorites: Part 9 - The Garden Tomb

Easter Sunday. As a Christian, this is a time when I remember that the tomb was not where Jesus stayed after death. He conquered the grave, defeated death, and rose again as my Savior. I'm so glad that He did that for me. 

While in Israel, we were able to see the tomb that is believed to have belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. As a rich man, he had a freshly dug crypt in the rock. It was in reasonable distance of the rock they called Golgotha, of the place of the skull. 

Erosion over time has been erasing the skull-like appearance on the cliffside, however, old photos and a quick glance can see how it came to be named such.

This was important as they had to act quickly once permission was granted to take the body of Christ. They didn't have as much time to bury their dead properly as the Jewish laws did not permit it. 

The Garden Tomb is a lush garden that has so much more than just the tomb. It is a garden, after all.

Watch your head as you enter, the doorway is rather small. As you enter, to the left is where the body would be prepared for the burial. The ritual was to wash it, put the herbs or sweet odors on it, wrap it up and leave it. After a year, they would come back to find nothing but the bones left. These would then be moved into a stone box and put into one of the chambers on the right side. As large as this one was, it would have been for all his family members over time. However, this one was not used again (that I remember). Another reason for the belief that it belonged to Joseph. There was also a wine press. Something a rich person would have had would be their own wine press. Not to be shared like the ones they kept for the public to use.

Whether it was, or was not, the actual tomb that Jesus was laid in - doesn't matter! What matters is that He did not stay dead. And because of that, all people who believe in Him can have eternal life. What we have here on earth, isn't the best there is. It's what comes after that is all worth the struggle here.

Israel Favorites: Part 7 - Remnants of War

It isn't as often that in America I come across reminders of hard fought battles. Sure, we have our memorials and museums, but they aren't generally in areas with heavy traffic that you might pass every day. At least not in places that I have lived. I suppose the one that fits this criteria the closest would have been the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. However, even this was in an entertainment area. You usually weren't there unless you were seeing the sights. 

This was at a memorial of the Yom Kippur War. Against incredible odds, the Israeli forces managed to hold their own and send their enemy running. Thankfully, it was during a time when most people were home with their families, celebrating life. So there weren't civilians everywhere as there may have been during another holiday.

Our AMAZING guide, Shraga, turns 81 this year. This guy is a hero that retired as a Lt. Colonel. He was recognized everywhere we went, with honor and respect and love from everyone. 

Israel is a different story. War remnants are along their highways. You see it at certain gates in the pock marks. And yes, they also have the museums. Some of the stories we heard from our guide were incredibly heartbreaking. He served in some the great battles in Israel. From the Yom Kippur War to the 6 Day War, among others. His stories were inspiring, yet so tragic.

Israel has a lot of conflict with the Arab nations around it. Egypt, in particular, had a leader so dead-set on destroying Israel that he said it didn't matter how many battles they lost to Israel, so long as they won one. I can't imagine being so headstrong that I'd sacrifice my own soldiers in an effort to just attempt taking out a nation I hated! But these nations have. Repeatedly. 

Tanks are left at one site, but you will see artillery from some others lying along the highway. A tank track is abandoned where it snapped off. Russia sent tanks to help the Arab nations. America sent planes and tanks to help the Israeli's. This one you see below shows an amazing moment, frozen in time. On it's side, you can see where it was grazed with a shot. But then you see the kill shot in the middle, just below it's gun.

Some gates stand in solemn reminder that hard battles were won in Israel. We passed through a couple times and couldn't help but gaze in wonder at what looks like a fortress against evil intent.

After Israel won its Independence in 1948, they knew it was time to set a new law in place. The Holocaust had taken a heavy toll on millions of Jews around the world. So many were displaced. So Israel opened their doors and called everyone "Home". They decided that any Jew, any where, any time, would be able to go home. To the land of their forefathers. Israel would nurture them. They would get them on their feet, to help them restore lives. 

The hardest, most heart wrenching, part of the trip was going to the Holocaust Memorial.  I couldn't even stay in the building or read half of the information given. You could easily spend an entire day walking through the Memorial alone. But the chilling stories of murder, deception, and the amount lives that were taken or destroyed is just staggering. 1.5 million deaths were that of children. I have a mother's heart. I can't understand how someone can be so heartless to kill a child. A special section was created to remember each and every name of the children lost. It was donated by a husband and wife who had their little boy ripped from his mother's arms and thrown into the crematorium. Uziel was his name.

His face is at the entrance to the hall that shines a light for each child, reads their names, ages and where they were from, while also showing their photos.

War is such an ugly thing. From it, however, comes beautiful reminders of the determination of the human race that also warn us of repeating mistakes.

"I am that woman!" Another Part of Being In Israel

Sometimes we just can't help ourselves. We are presented with a situation or something is said that triggers our emotional responses. Often times, we react to our own emotions with shock or disgust. We feel that such an emotion should be locked away.

While in Israel, I had such a moment. A VERY poignant moment, at that. We were in Magdala. My pain was already making it difficult to listen to what was being said, to take in the sights, or to enjoy the day. It was raining lightly. It was cold. And I ached. My back. My neck. I just hurt so much. I was heavily relying on my cane that day. But even with it, I was struggling to keep my balance. My legs kept trying to give out on me. To collapse and never have to move again. What a thought! But I moved on with the group. Thankfully, I wore my hat. A ball cap, that when I looked down, hid my face. Or so I had hoped. We saw the ruins of the city that Mary Magdalene was from. As history has taught us, people used where they were from as a surname, not a family name like we do today. The ruins weren't much. A large, and rather fancy hotel overlooks them. They have a covered portion that protects some of it from the elements. Mostly lower parts of the walls, and then there were some mosaic flooring to be see. As well as what would have been a synagogue based on the types of stone "furniture" that was found. Like a type of podium. Of course, the Catholics are the ones who own it. And they do have the large cathedral built there too to honor some of the women that have attained higher status according to their religion. Mary Magdalene is one of them. I don't agree with much, if anything of the Catholic religion, so don't get butt hurt if I don't ooh and aah over their buildings. 

That being said, I was struck by one mural within that cathedral. Huge. Beautiful. And powerful. Done by a Peruvian artist. They told a story about it. Inspiration came from the story of the woman who was healed by just touching the hem of Jesus' garment as He passed by. (Matthew 9:18) How often have I heard that story from the Bible? How often had I heard the preachers mention her amazing faith? But you know what? I had never seen myself in her. Until now. 

That mural, spoke to my situation. Maybe it was because I was emotionally unbalanced from the high pain level I was experiencing. Maybe it was a visually stimulating picture that drew the lines connecting my dots with hers. I don't care what it was. I just know that as I stood there, I felt her pain. I KNOW her daily struggle. I feel it every single day. I hate that way I am because of a body that refuses to function properly. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to get a doctor to "fix" my physical ailments. All to be told, "Sorry, we can't do anything for you". Or "Learn to live with it". She had been through all of that. She was considered
"unclean" according to Jewish law. Unable to be touched by her family and friends. Unable to participate in any of the events. FOR YEARS! She would have been shoved to the side. Avoided like the plague. Touching her would make others "unclean" as well. How lonely she must have felt! No one to understand. Cursing her body for all the trouble it was causing, but unable to fix it. Then Jesus comes walking near. There are people crowding around Him. Everyone wants a piece of this 'prophet', 'healer' and maybe even the Messiah that was promised. He was on his way to heal a little girl that was dying. He was being rushed. But then "virtue" goes from Him. And being God in flesh, He knows it. He stops everyone to find her. To tell her that her faith had made her whole again.

I stood in front of this mural. Shaking. Crying. And praying. I kept my head down for the rest of the time we were there. I avoided talking to anyone. I don't like anyone being able to see that side of me outside my house. But, man! I was struggling! Her story is my story. Her pain and suffering is mine. And I can completely understand her faith. If Jesus walked today, you can bet I would seek to move mountains to grovel at His feet. I'd crawl around too, just to touch the hem of His garment and pray that that would be enough to heal me. 

You want something powerful? THAT is as powerful as it has ever been for me. That story grabs on and fills me with a feeling that I can't explain. And while I know I'm not likely to get that miracle, I am still hopeful for what comes next. For the freedom from pain and suffering that I am moving towards in heaven. The joy that will never desert me either. That is where I'm going.

Israel Favorites: Part 6 - Gideon Springs or Harod Spring

When we were planning to go to Israel, I wasn't thinking lush, green and flowing with water. I thought of desert and the salty Dead Sea. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by all the places that had that lushness about them. The weather may have been colder than I was prepared for (despite checking the weather app ahead of time), but the sun glistened on clear pools of water. Grass grew greener than most places I've been to. The air was clear and crisp. 

 

Gideon Springs was fabulous. We almost didn't make it in. But our tour guide and bus driver had a throw down with the gate keepers and we were allowed to enter on Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath). 

 

There are large pools of water with picnic areas to walk and enjoy time out in the sun. The cave where the water springs from lent us an idea of where Gideon and his men from the Bible story would have been when God told him to divide the men based on how they drank from the waters. It is NOT advisable to drink from these waters. They are not purified for drinking from. And you could definitely get sick from it.

I could have spent a good half a day just lounging around here. But then I wouldn't have seen all the other great places there were to see!

Israel Favorites: Part 5 - Who Do You Say That I Am?

I love the story of Jesus asking his disciples who men think he was and then asking who they thought He was. At some point, Christian or not, I think we should all ask ourselves that. Was He a prophet? Just a man? The Son of God? Whatever your answer, the site that this questioning took place at was of great importance to the conversation. It was a place where pagan god worship took place. There is a great cave (great as in size), where people threw their babies in to die as sacrifices to the god, Pan. His statues littered the cliffside surrounding the cave. Springs of water flowed from the site. 

While I cannot fathom following a god that requires the bloodshed of my children, I did walk the grounds in awe of its natural beauty.

How mankind can turn something, or someplace, so wonderful into the location of something so horrendous just boggles my mind.

The cave was even magnificent. Large, and filled with water.

All of these alcoves, of varying sizes were once filled with statutes of Pan.                                        

                                         What are your thoughts?

Israel Favorites: Part 4 - Random Places

There are some places that I remember seeing, but couldn't tell you their names. Over 10 days of traveling, we saw and heard and tasted and learned - near constantly - all day, every day. It was a total overload. So these are a few random places that we visited that I may or may not have stories to go with them. However, what I do have is awe in the fact that I was able to visit them. Being that I love history, I tried my hardest to remember and take notes when and where I could. Yet, some of them escape me. 

Like these ruins, for instance. Beautiful reminders of a people long gone. But I can't remember where we saw them or who they were belonging to. I just enjoyed being able to stand among them, or even on them.

Shortly after going through these, we came to a gate that would have stood as far back as when Abraham walked the earth.

I am fascinated by mountains of all kinds. And there are plenty to see around Israel. When we went, some were still snow covered, which we were told was rather unusual for that time of year.

There are so many remnants to be seen of ancient cultures. Of peoples long lost over time. It can bring all kinds of emotions. Sadness at their loss. Boredom at there being so many. Anger at the thought that one group of people would decide to wipe out another. In the end, I was just thankful to see that something of history was preserved. After all, eventually, nothing is left but these remnants. Of any of us. Time has a way of erasing and creating over and over. Israel has a rich history. There are so many nations that have come and gone through its borders. One stacked upon another. It is quite the thought, no?

If you go into Jerusalem, there is Via Dolorosa. Catholics have built up the area with 6 sights (may now be 15) covered along a processional path. We watched them walk the path of Christ with a cross while reciting something. But that is also where you will find a sight that is to be where Pontius Pilate had the dungeon that would have had Jesus brought to testify before him.

While I'm not sure if the Catholics have done enough research to prove this, I do admire the handiwork of their buildings marking each holy site.

In Bethesda, there is a massive site of ruins. From Biblical times to the Crusaders who built among the ruins they found, it is quite the sight to behold. There were pools here at one time that were also mentioned in the Bible if I remember correctly...

It butts up against modern times in a way that fascinated me. What must it be like to live daily, right next to historically important sites? Probably seems meaningless to most.I was glad for a moment to just stand there and embrace the moment.

Speaking of the mountains, we drove  by this place way up above us. Just another bit of ruins basking in the sunlight, far above the highway roads. I can only imagine what history they tell.

 We had the chance to visit the mall before we flew home. Time to unwind and prepare for that long flight to the States. One thing I did not expect to see was a Toys-R-Us! Still looked empty and was definitely overpriced like the ones that closed down over here, but they have one hanging in there, nonetheless.

Ikea too....

I'm just glad I didn't see a Walmart or Target there. That would have really bummed me out.