As promised, I'm updating this right after we got back from the school trip today. Unfortunately, we had to wake up early and be at the school at 7:30 this morning, and the bus didn't even show up until 8:30, but it's kind of what we have come to expect from this country's conception of time and being on time, so we weren't surprised. Mount Nebo (جبل نيبو) was even more beautiful than I had imagined from other people's descriptions. I tried to take a lot of pictures, and they came out very beautiful, but they couldn't begin to capture the natural beauty of being there in person. Other than the beauty, it was amazing to stand there and think of the history of that mountain.
{According to the Bible, Mount Nebo is where Moses was given a view of the promised land God was giving to the Jews and was buried, although his final resting place is not known.}
The next portion of the trip was a mini-tour of the city Madaba, in which we ate at a Christian restaurant (so pork and alcohol were served) and visited the St. George church, which contains a mosaic map of the region dating from the sixth century C.E., the oldest known map of the Middle East. Madaba was an interesting city, both touristy and not in different ways, and is also rich in history- not only because of the map but also because it is mentioned a couple of times in the Bible.
4 comments:
جبل نيبو
How did you get that in - I found that on your page and wondered if you took it from the web or if you have access to different keys on some computer, somewhere.
Also, the citadel - my how wonderful - centuries old, much older than anything here - it must be awe inspiring just to stand in it and think of who has been through it and what it has seen.
Swimming in the Dead Sea! Wow, that has to change you. You will never look at the bible with seeing these pictures in your head.
I doubt if I would have the courage to do what you are doing but still, I am jealous.
Many Blessings Lauren,
Pam Costa
Pam,
Thank you! I have an Apple Computer and there's a way you can go into System Preferences and change the language of your keyboard using the same keys.
The history of this area of the world is absolutely amazing, I love it so much! It's so beautiful! I wish I could get my pictures to upload so everybody back home could see them, but I'll be sure to show them to everybody when I get home.
Lauren
I finally got to read your blog from the first day on. Wow! I am so impressed by how you're immersing yourself in the culture... negotiating cab fares, eating local foods, walking along the dead sea highway, music concerts... I'm so happy you have friends to share the fun. You Mom keeps South Haven posted on Sundays and we are keeping you in our prayers.
Blessings, Doris
Thank you Doris! We're trying to immerse ourselves in the language and culture as much as possible. Unfortunately a lot of people try to practice their English with us instead, and when we ask for restaurant recommendations we often get KFC, Popeyes, McDonald's, or Burger King. (I think that because they eat traditional Arab food at home, they want American food when they go out and see it as a status thing). But we are trying and I think we're getting a very good cultural experience. I definitely appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers from home!
Lauren
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