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Yesterday morning the 15th, we added Bethlehem to our tour. It is only about 4-5 miles from Jerusalem. Originally it wasn't on the tour, mainly because Israel has a law in place since 2000 that Jews are not allowed to go into Bethlehem. This has been so fascinating to us. These type of limitations that the people here have. Jacob says it's because the government doesn't want to take the chance that a Jew might be kidnapped and held, but Jacob said it's very safe. He just couldn't take us there nor our driver Geovoni. So they set us up with a different tour guide for the day. George was our Christian Israel tour guide for Bethlehem. We went to the church that sits at the place they believe to be the birth place of Christ. It was so crowded that it took away from the reference that you'd like to feel when there, but the priests do their best to keep the noise level down and crowds in control. I've learned that when a nun or priest clap twice, you better get quiet! ;) Our guide was a local young man and knew everyone and got us around with ease. He knew scriptures very well and did an excellant job with the historical and biblical context of the area. Next we went to the shepherds fields and went into a cave that would have been similar to the ones the shepherds lived in back in the day.
George took us to a shop that was run by Christians in order to support them and their families. We again found some great things to purchase to remind us of our trip. On the way out to the bus a few men where peddeling necklaces and bracelets. The kind that give you a hard time if you don't stop. One in particular locked in on myself and Tyler and we joked with him and was friendly but said no. Then he said "This your daughter? I'll give you 300 camels for her. (We laughed.) I'm serious!" I told him that was not near enough. We've had a good laugh or two about that!
Then we drove back to the check point and told George good bye and hooked back up with Jacob. It was good to see Jacob and Geovoni (below.)
George took us to a shop that was run by Christians in order to support them and their families. We again found some great things to purchase to remind us of our trip. On the way out to the bus a few men where peddeling necklaces and bracelets. The kind that give you a hard time if you don't stop. One in particular locked in on myself and Tyler and we joked with him and was friendly but said no. Then he said "This your daughter? I'll give you 300 camels for her. (We laughed.) I'm serious!" I told him that was not near enough. We've had a good laugh or two about that!
Then we drove back to the check point and told George good bye and hooked back up with Jacob. It was good to see Jacob and Geovoni (below.)
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I have more for yesterday because we went into Jerusalem's Old City, but running out of time to be on the internet, so will sign off for now. Cost $20/day for internet!!!
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