Megiddo

We came here yesterday. Do you think it looks like it can be the place of the final battle?

Sea of Galilee

Did not have time to get on computer yesterday as the day was very full and I was exhausted. Besides no computer access. I will have to tell you some anecdotal stories another date. It has been up early, quickly down breakfast, load the bus, go from one place to another, eat lunch at a local dive, more traveling around high curves, passing other filled tour buses, and eventually getting back to hotel at night in time for supper. The main event today was the beautiful Sea of Galilee. We took a ride (this view is from the boat) and were surprised when the boat stilled, and the crew started singing Christian songs in Hebrew and English. It was great.

The Journey to Netanya

It is almost 6 pm here in Netanya, Israel. Casey and I checked into our Ramada suite, and it is simple, utilitarian and very nice. A sliding glass door opens from the sitting room to a balcony where we stood and watched the huge golden sun set over the dark Mediterranean Sea. We have our own bedrooms, each with a king sized bed. I am looking forward to a good night's sleep whenever that comes.
Traveling by air is like being in labor, I decided. It is torturous but with the anticipation of a blessed event in its aftermath, it seems to be worthwhile.
When the Lufthansa airbus landed at Munich, the gate to the Tel Aviv flight, the next and final stop, was the next one over. Maybe it was because we were entering Israel, but we had to go through a really close check of person and belongings there. From Tel Aviv, we were picked up in a bus by the driver and guide we will have for the rest of the trip. It is really nice to have everything being taken care of by someone else.
This is just a shot from the balcony of a part of this city.This is the hotel. My room had two windows. One faced the Mediterranean and the other, the city.

In two days...

I will be en route via Lufthansa to Israel.

It is to be a pilgrimage, said the rector of the Episcopal church who is organizing it, and I see a dictionary defines that noun as "journey to a sacred place or a journey made for exalted or sentimental reasons." I have not been on a pilgrimage before except for the one that has taken me through the trials and joys of earthly life, and I believe this trip to the Holy Land will be an enriching and moving experience. I plan to post as much as I can on this blog as, after all, wisdom is in its title. And where does wisdom come from? As Solomon was inspired to write in the Old Testament book of Proverbs verse 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." See you in a few days!

You get the point

This is a little story I heard recently about the painter/sculptor Giacometti, whom I admit, I had never heard of previously. Nevertheless it goes something like this: It seems as if someone asked him if his barn that held his paintings as well as his two chickens was burning, which would he take to safety. He answered, "The chickens of course, because life is always more valuable than art."