Israel museum

Israel museum


This was something I wasn’t sure I was going to get to do. ( I recommend you do it if you get a chance) The museum was closed when I first arrived in Israel and I hadn’t planned to stay in Jerusalem at the end of my trip. It was a long walk over there but worth it. The museum has a no photograph policy which is understandable and frustrating all rolled into one. First we hit up the archaeology wing then had lunch and looked through a few of the art wings. It had some amazing finds from Israel and it was really neat to see artifacts that we had used as references in our own dig cleaned and being displayed. I also took some time and looked at the Dead Sea scrolls also a neat experience although overcrowded and for some one that has night blindness was extremely hard to navigate. I ended up running into a bench and had a 6 inch scrap.  (here are some pics that i took before getting yelled at..)

Shopping in Jerusalem

I love haggling, at first it wasn’t my thing I was nervous, now my time is coming to the end and I am enjoying it for what it is a part of the experience. I have learned how (for myself) to haggle and with whom. For the younger men it was rather simple for me to flash a smile and truly being nice and the starting price was usually lower than what I expected to pay after haggling. With the older men the second I said “My husband said I can’t pay over ___ amount” The men got very serious and almost instantly gave me that price. Usually they said it was good I was listening to him. All of which is very true he would not want me to spend more than I should!!! Here is a list of goodies I got today

Throw blanket

Harem pants

t-shirt

leather sandals

2 rings

Earrings

Tea

Total was a little over40 bucks!! I know I am goooooood! LOL

Jerusalem Hotel....

Must say it was an amazing idea to stay at this hotel it really has everything I needed/wanted plus it is super cute...I LOVE IT!!! 

Small gifts.....

In my inbox today i received a letter typed by Summer that she had Ryan e-mail me, here it is......


Dr mom plesc hhomi misy I luvy


(Dear mom please come home, I miss you. I love you.)

I am crying writing this post. I am so thankful to my family that has made this possible for me to come. It wasn't as easy as just me packing and leaving. Jan drove to DC then drove back with the girls and watched them for 2 weeks, then my mom drove to Minnesota picked them up drove to Oklahoma where my grandparents kindly opened their home to my girls. My mom and dad and sister took turns watching them each night. Then my mom flew with them back to DC. Ryan is taking them to work one day and Everett is watching them for 2 days while Ryan works. BUT most of all I am thankful for my kids that are so proud of me and what I'm doing. Thank you girls for being good and behaving while mommy came to learn but thank you even more for sending me e-mails like that knowing I am missed is the greatest gift!!!

Yodefat

Yodefat

Alright for a little back ground on the site we went a visited although my disclaimer is that I could never do the site and its history justice like the man who excavated the site did when he graciously gave us a tour that not only included the history of the site from text but the archaeological finds and what they proved as well as his feelings on the site.(see below picture)

Yodefat is the site where Josephus and the Jews tried to take a stand against the Romans. The area was set on top of a large steep hill/mountain and the Jews fortified their village at the top. To make a long story short the Romans did conquer and many were killed Josephus was taken prison and later became a historian in the roman courts and wrote, though some may dispute dramatically over the siege that happened at Yodefat. Yodefat was then destroyed by the Romans.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Early%20History%20-%20Archaeology/Yodefat%20-%20A%20Town%20in%20Galilee


This is where they stored their rain water because there is no rivers or springs for them to access

Fortifying wall

view of the area around yodefat

Jewish ritual bath carved out of stone.

stories of people.....

When you are so far from you home it is easy to forget that the people around you have stories. Stories that are remarkable and may never be heard outside their village. Its is easy to travel to see the beauty of the landscape, architecture and art but how about the people? Not the people as a group, how about the individual? Here is a story I heard today about a person an individual......




The story starts as an older women passed with her herd of goats, we, a herd of archaeologists, were following our guide intent on the past, ancient history. Our guide an archaeologist spoke with the lady and then smiling turned and interrupted the lecture to tell us this story…

When they began working on this site, this women’s son was about the age of 9 or 10. He used to pass by with the herd of goats. He followed behind with his text book, reading studying for school. Working and studying at such a young age. Year after year the archaeologist returned and saw this young boy reading and studying while herding the goats. As the man continued with his excavation year after year the boy continued, year after year, with his studying. Until the boy became a man and his books became law books, he was still herding. The site is finished now, the archaeologist comes back from time to time for various reasons and he says that the young boy who is now a successful lawyer in the community can be seen on the day his offices is closed, walking behind the herd; his time to return home and remember his childhood.

dddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggg........

Days 22,23,24

My dirty hot tired face!!

Well being


I am on the downhill now and as you can all imagine something’s aren’t as unique as when we got here. I can’t wait for my own bed to sleep and not sweat. To wake up at 6 instead of 4! All these are just things you notice as the days dwindle and the excitement of home gets closer! My pinkie toe and I are having a small issue but I think we will make it!!



The dig

Wow we are so far down now it is amazing. The mass amount of artifacts we have found is amazing! So no buildings but piles of pottery and flint and a bunch of bones! I don’t think I have really explained pottery washing like I should. After digging we get home and soak the pottery and flint then we all cozy up outside with at least an hour if not 2 of pottery washing. We use toothbrushes and nailbrushes and try to remove as much of the dirt as possible. This is a pretty boring process but is the best time during the day to talk! (pics to come)



Personal Finds and lessons

Today I got to draw the kind of layout of the rocks in our square and it was an oddly satisfying experience. It was a part of the process I wouldn’t have thought I’d like that was very cool. There are other areas that I have gotten to try like the total station (surveying type equipment) It was very high tech and I got a very basic intro but the next day I set it up when asked. ( and by set it up I mean put it on the stand and push the on button then I ran)

The cows near the dig site

HOT

I JUST THOUGHT I'D LET YOU KNOW IT'S HOT.... LIKE SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE DON'T SLEEP SNAP AT EVERYONE HOT AND HUMID... IT IS IN THE UPPER 90'S WITH SUPER HIGH HUMIDITY... MISSING ME SOME AC RIGHT NOW!

Trip

(Okay so I'm skipping a few days like 18, 19 and 20 and going straight to 21 which was a trip to Caesarea a beautiful spot on the mediterrian sea with Roman aquaducts and crusader and roman ruins as well as a Beautiful beach.)

Caesarea

We took a taxi and about an hour drive, to reach a truly beautiful beach. The water was warm and inviting and the beach was relaxing.

Then we to a walk (a looongg one) down to the archaeological park and had lunch at the Port Café. It was also relaxing to eat with no children just watching the waves and looking at the buildings surrounding me. After that a little ice cream and a stroll through the park and I was exhausted!!