Crossing

We got a quick awakening this morning! As we headed to breakfast, we learned that the border between Jordan and Israel was closing earlier than normal today. No emergency, just shifting policies that seem to always be uncertain. It was supposed to close at 5 today, but they unexpectedly moved it up to 1. It's Ramadan, and it's the Sabbath. You can't plan things very well with those factors in place. The bottom line was this: if we didn't make it to the border by 11, we would be stuck in Jordan. We had a full day of touring planned, but we really want to go home tomorrow, so we made quick work of it.

After a short breakfast, we were on the road early, and traffic was not bad due to the holiday, so we arrived in Jerash about twenty minutes earlier than we might have otherwise. Jerash is a huge archaeological site, a Roman city, whose highlights include Hadrian's Arch (constructed to honor the emperor Hadrian), a beautiful Hippodrome (for horse races) and an ancient church. We saw this part of the site quickly, but honestly, Beit Shean is at least as impressive if not moreso. Then we headed south.

Along the way, we made a brief stop at the Jabbok River in the area of Succoth. The Jabbok is famous for being the place where Jacob wrestled all night with God until his hip was put out of its socket. The place we stopped is not necessarily Peniel (what Jacob named that place), but it gave us a brief photo stop by this river and a chance to recall and re-read the story of Jacob. Then, it was back on the bus to the border.

Due to the holiday, the border was packed with people trying to go both ways. Thanks to our guide Michel and our driver Mohammed, we made good time. One bus had been waiting there 2 hours and still was not through the gates. We made it through to Israel in just about 2 hours from start to finish. I don't know when I've seen a more disorganized security area or procedures that were unclear even to those who speak the language and live in the culture. Finally, after showing our passport four or five times and going through multiple scanners (and me having to answer the single question, "What is your father's name?"), they declared us safe to enter and we were on the bus—back on the Brown Bus with our guide Mike and our driver Khader again. Mike took us back to Jericho for another wonderful buffet. As it was early afternoon by the time we got through security, we were pretty hungry.

Now we are settled in the hotel for the evening. Christopher and I are even back in the same room we had earlier this week. Tonight, we repack, weigh our suitcases, pack again, and so on. We will eat one last meal here in Israel, then head for Tel Aviv and the airport tomorrow morning. It's been a beautiful and wonderful trip, but I'm ready for home. By the time I blog again, I will be back on American soil.

A personal note - I hope you have enjoyed the journey through my eyes and pictures. If you're interested in going with me sometime to the Holy Land, let me know. I find great joy in introducing people to this land, these people, this place. It truly is holy, and I always leave a part of me here. Shalom!