Our first stop was the Wadi Qilt. Wadis are dried riverbeds, but usually in the winters, they’ll fill with water so unexpectedly that someone is swept away by the current every year. It is an incredible view, though, to look down at the wadi and see how weather has eroded the earth into these dramatic cuts and curves.
It was along ridges like these that stories like the Good Samaritan were set, from Jerusalem to Jericho. Can you see, now, why a road like this would be fraught with robbers? It would be so easy to dispose of the victim, leaving them hanging like so:
We also got hounded by the local Bedouins trying to earn some shekels off the dumb Americans. =P
Sometimes, the Bedouin kids were like the camels: very cute…
But then, not so cute…
No, he’s not hurting the camel at all. The camel is just pouring saliva and making ungodly noises as he stands up.
Ok, fine, he’s still cute. But that smile is a clever ploy to weaken your defenses as he pesters you relentlessly to buy a bracelet from him, or how about just give him a few shekels, or give him your watch or pen or notebook or anything that’s on you, really. He doesn’t care. He just wants your stuff, and he won’t leave you alone or zip up his fly until you appease him.
I know, he’s too white to be a true Bedouin, but those aggressive child-salesmen made a good case.
Can you see the kid behind Greg, just waiting for the lecture to be over so he can sell him a bracelet? When the kids aren't nagging you incessantly, though, it is a very peaceful and quiet place.
And then, of course, we just HAD to ride a camel:
Lizzy went first.
Then I went. (SO FUN!)
This is how a camel lowers itself so you can dismount.
Gotta say, I’ve never been saluted from atop a camel before.
And then, the owner ran off with his bread-earner. Haha.
From the Wadi Qilt, we traveled along the perilous ridge routes to the Old and New Testament Jerichos.
We stopped at New Testament Jericho first. These are the ruins of one of Herod’s many palaces. Being a desert rat, he loved escaping to the sand dunes whenever he had the chance.
At this point, we also entered into an interesting discussion on taxation back in the days of the New Testament. Although the numbers have not been verified, Aubrey said she’s heard the rate was as high as 80%! Of course the people hated the government, then, and considered tax collectors the scum of the earth!
As interesting as the discussion was, I was soon distracted by this:
Can you blame me?
After our brief visit of New Testament Jericho, we then made our way to Old Testament Jericho, the oldest place on earth!
This is an example of a tel, where city was built upon city as each one was subsequently destroyed, until they just couldn't build on the land anymore. Therefore, during excavations, archeologists are able to see the layers of city ruins in a cross-section of the tel. (Also, I don't have a picture of it right now, but that circular tower base is the oldest building on earth, and I stood on it. Ha!)
Underneath that metal grate are stairs going down to who-knows-where.
Picking dates off the tree, because Jericho is truly an oasis. There is, in fact, a spring in Jericho that consistently pumps out 1,189 gallons of fresh water per minute!
Standing on top of a dome at Nebi Samuel, where the prophet Samuel is traditionally said to have been buried. Interestingly enough, the building serves as both a mosque and a synagogue, and they apparently share it quite peacefully. Also, it is just a fantastic look-out point to see the various regions surrounding Benjamin.
Finally, we concluded the day with a stop at the beautiful land of Gezer, Solomon's wedding gift from the Pharaoh of Egypt when he married the Pharaoh's daughter.
Modern-day shepherding doesn't seem to have changed a whole lot. (Still seems like a super-boring job. Haha.)
Sheep have funny butts--I never realized.
To the west we see Tel-Aviv
To the east we see the lush foliage and beautiful homes of Aijalon
This is also the site of Solomon's Gate.
And a rather Stonehenge-like structure
Thus, concludes our field study for Benjamin. Now, review everything you've learned in preparation for your exam on Monday. Don't worry, we have to take the same one. ;)
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