Geography Field Trip

Today was our first big field trip. It was great. We had to be on the bus at 8 am to leave. We headed out and our first stop was Nabi Samwil. It is the highest point on Benjamin Plateau. It is traditionally the place where Samuel was buried, though we later learned that it is not really the case. (Right - On top of Nabi Samwil, the highest point of the Benjamin Plateau. I am wearing a pack that contains my headset, allowing me to hear all the teacher says. To the north is the village of Gibeon). Still, they built a church there to commemorate and celebrate Samuel, the first Israelite prophet in the Holy Land. What is interesting is that one floor is a synagogue, and above that is a mosque. It is one place where Jews and Muslims come to pray and worship in peace. (Left - Samuel Mosque Synogogue). It is actually on the West Bank, too.
Next we went to a place called Deir Mar Elyas. It is a hill that has a monastery dedicated to the prophet Elijah. Supposedly he fled across that hill when fleeing from Jezebel. There we saw shepherd (who also had some goats). That was pretty cool. After that, we headed to the Haas Promenade. That is a promenade built on the Mount of Offense. It is south of Jerusalem and is separated from the Mount of Olives by the Kidron Valley. The Mount of Offense is thought to have been called that because Solomon allowed his foreign wives to build temples to their deity on that mount. (Right - Inside ruins near Nabi Samwil). It had a great view, though.
Then we went to the Seven Arches Overlook which is a view near the Seven Arches Hotel. They have an amazing view, too. But then again, a lot of high places do. There was a man there with a camel who would let you ride the camel for a small price. Several people let the camel kiss them. Basically, the camel sucked those people's face.
Finally we went to the Augusta Victoria Tower. There is a hospital there and a Lutheran Church of the Ascenstion. That was a beautiful church and we walked 223 stairs up the tower. The coolest part of that was singing in the chapel. We sang several hymns and the sound was amazing.

On top of Deir Mar Elyas looking south, Bethlehem is visibleElias MonasterySheep and goatsAt Haas Promenade overlooking JerusalemMe and Jade at the Seven Arches Overlook with the Dome of the Rock behindLutheran Church of the Ascension