Day 6 was a bit of a travel day. We went to Jericho and the Jordan river and then back to Jerusalem for a little more touring before heading back to the room a little earlier than some days. It was a great day! While this trip has been loaded with firsts, I had a very special first today that will surprise many of those who have known me since forever, an extra special memory. More on that later. First, let me tell you some stories about today unrelated to tour stops.
I was still not feeling great today, but let’s be real here, I was going to suck it up and go anyway, no matter what. I was glad for what I thought was going to be less walking, but still ended up well over 12.000 steps, again, more on that later. My technicolor Nike Vapormax shoes are getting a serious workout on this trip. Today we visited the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized, and Jericho, followed by the Upper Room (not actual but representative) and David’s Tomb (maybe). Lunch was in Jericho coupled with some shopping, I thought you might like to see what we had.
The beans in sauce were pretty bland, but the rice was good. Falafel is not my favorite, but it’s edible. French fries are always a hit with me, and Evan too. We both particularly enjoyed the schnitzel and fries in pita that we had a Qumran. Fried pita with olive oil is OK. Carrots and cole slaw are alright too. The soup was really good, a veggie soup with cauliflower and beans etc. The dessert cup was OK. I don’t love sweets usually. It was a kind of like coconut tapioca. We are not starving over here, but we are having some cravings! The number one craving I keep hearing? Bacon Cheeseburger. Mmmmm.
Money here is Israeli shekels. Twenty shekels is about $6.35 or so. I don’t understand the gold coins yet. Some fraction of a shekel from what I can tell.
Outside of lunch in Jericho, Evan got to have a ride from Sam, the camel. Sam gives kisses.
This is a seriously patient and gentle camel. It was cool to watch him sit down and stand up for very very short rides. Neat experience.
Out front of the hotel where we got lunch were several peacocks, including chicks. They were neat to see.
As we were driving through Jericho, our guide Mike pointed out a sycamore tree. This one was not old enough to be the one of Zaccheus fame, but it was interesting to see a representation of what it would have looked like, and that was in Jericho, the oldest city in the world at 10.000+ years.
On to the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Bum bum BUM (cymbal crash…)!!!
(Tomorrow y’all. I’m tuckered out and Evan is already crashed. Catch you on the flip side! Good night!)