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Schedule
Day 1 - May 16th: Depart US
Day 2 - May 17th: Arrive in Cairo, Egypt
Day 3 - May 18th: Egyptian Museum, Ancient Egypt Discussion, Welcome Dinner
Day 4 - May 19th: Cairo, Fatimid Cairo, Gayer Anderson Historical Art Museum, Khan el-Khalili, Modern Egypt discussion
Day 5 - May 20th: Cairo, Optional Memphis & Sakkara tour
Day 6 - May 21st: Cairo, Luxor, Embark Ship, Luxor Temple
Day 7- May 22nd: Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Hieroglyphic & Arabic language discussion
Day 8 - May 23rd: Qena, Dendera Temple, Luxor, Life on the Nile discussion
Day 9 - May 24th: Luxor, Optional Balloon Ride over Luxor, Karnak Temple, Esna
Day 10 - May 25th: Edfu, Kom Ombo
Day 11 - May 26th: Aswan, Philae Temple, Felucca ride
Day 12 - May 27th: Aswan, Optional Abu Simbel tour, Spice Market visit
Day 13 - May 28th: Aswan, Disembark ship, Cairo, Sunset motorboat ride
Day 14 - May 29th: Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx
Day 15 - May 30th: Cairo, Old Cairo, Citadel
Day 16 - MAy 31st: Cairo, Egypt, Alexandria
Day 17 - June 1st: Alexandria, Catacombs of Kom el Shuqafa, National Museum
Day 18 - June 2nd: Alexandria, Royal Jewelry Museum, Library of Alexandria, Montazah Gardens & Haramlek Palace
Day 19 - June 3rd: Alexandria, Cairo
Day 20 - June 4th: Cairo
June 5th-July 8th: Jerusalem including a two week participation in the ZION GATE DIG!!!
Photos part two
Kathy's friends enjoying her photos on the digital-frame in the gift shop.
The beautiful drive along the coast....many public beaches and high rises! Alexandria is a huge bay with the ancient site being on the western edge...this is where Cesar landed, Cleopatra ruled and any one who was anyone entered Egypt. The Alexandria Library was also in this ancient area and it did burn down.
The beautiful drive along the coast....many public beaches and high rises! Alexandria is a huge bay with the ancient site being on the western edge...this is where Cesar landed, Cleopatra ruled and any one who was anyone entered Egypt. The Alexandria Library was also in this ancient area and it did burn down.
TIME FOR LUNCH!
Rice wrapped in grape leaves; deep fried potatoes and something else I didn't like!!
Alexandria sausages....the seasoning was wonderful...nothing like it in the states!
And finally a wonderful chicken dish...great seasoning!....all meals were served with fresh, hot pita bread and hummus.....Soooo good!!
More views of Alexandria on the Mediterranean....
The next two days are travel days....Alexandria to Cairo and Cairo to Jerusalem....
See you later!
K
More views of Alexandria on the Mediterranean....
The next two days are travel days....Alexandria to Cairo and Cairo to Jerusalem....
See you later!
K
More views of Alexandria on the Mediterranean....
The next two days are travel days....Alexandria to Cairo and Cairo to Jerusalem....
See you later!
K
Hi all....I started my day about 8am and just ended it about 5.....walked for miles through the Old City visiting the Zion Gate and archaeological site, the Dormitian Abbey, Davids Tomb, the Garden Tomb, Room of the Last Supper and the Western Wall Tunnel.
The old road leads to Damascus from this gate and was in use during Christ's time.
Just outside the old city through the Damascus Gate is the Garden Tomb...another traditional site where it is believed Christ was crucified, buried and rose again. This is the tomb....it is a beautiful place to visit...peaceful.
The Western Wall
The archaeological site that we will open in about 10 days.
The archaeological site that we will open in about 10 days.
Dormitian Abbey
Close to the dig site, this church is said to be the place where Mary, mother of Jesus died.
Dormitian Abbey
Close to the dig site, this church is said to be the place where Mary, mother of Jesus died.
Dormitian Abbey
Close to the dig site, this church is said to be the place where Mary, mother of Jesus died.
The Upper Room of the Last Supper.
Just below this space is the Tomb of David.
This is the Western Wall Tunnel...a tunnel underground along the Western Wall....this is a picture of the area that is believed to be the closest spot to the Holy of Holies of the 2nd Temple. Jewish women pray at this spot daily for the return of the Temple.
Wow!....a real walking day!...started at 8 and stopped at 3....went to the Western Wall, Archaeological Park (twice!), Dung Gate, City of David (walked it twice by mistake!), Hezekiah Tunnel, took a tram, and back to the Knights Palace!...my home away from home in the Old City.....Whew!!
Western Wall
Inside the Old City at the Dung Gate.....it was called the Dung Gate as this is where all the refuse from the Temple sacrifices were expelled from the city.
This pic is of the Archaeological Park site where you are just outside the Temple Mount wall, but inside the old city. Remains of the Roman destruction of 70 ad are visible.
I end up back here by mistake!
Better pic of Dung Gate.
In the City of David, outside the wall and just below the old city and Temple Mount. We are looking towards the Mt of Olives.
This is a wonderful tour of City of David...where it all began
.we go through the archaeological ruins and enter Warren Shaft and Hezekiah Tunnel....this was the Jebusite water supply when David conquered the City of David from the Jebusites. This remained the main water source for the City of David. Hezekiah made a new tunnel for the water supply when attacked by Babylon..
In the underground shaft...very deep, very steep, VERY COOL!
WOW!.....the bottom of the shaft...from here we walked through a water tunnel, DARK (you need a flashlight) water up to your knees at some points, to the Pool of Salome, where we were outside and could see the place where Jesus healed a blind man...it is a very small area.
Interesting transportation back to the Jaffa Gate....I WAS DESPERATE!!!!
After walking the whole length down the City of David (aprx 2 miles) and walking the dark shafts in the water, I took a WRONG TURN and walked into ANOTHER TUNNEL WHICH TOOK ME UP THE WHOLE LENGTH BACK UP THE CITY OF DAVID!....DARN!!..But once you are committed to this dark tunnel, there is no turning around!...so I was underground, by myself, until I met another couple from Pittsburg who did the same silly thing...suddenly safety in numbers....We kept walking and ended up back in the Archaeological Park!...we had walked under all the streets of the City of David (2 miles) and the wall of the Old City back INTO the Old City to the Archaeological Park when we surfaced up a steep staircase next to the Westers Wall but at least 30 feet underground!...whew!..this was where I started 6 hours ago!!....so glad to see the light
AND THAT SILLY LITTLE TRAIN...thank you God for sending the train!!!..this kid was tired and a bit shook up!!...SIGNAGE HERE IS NOT THAT GREAT!!!!
TOMORROW....WHO KNOWS WHAT IS IN STORE!...might walk on TOP Of the old city walls....found out you can do that too!!
KATHLEEN FELD
And today WAS a miracle....Jesus was taking care of me....
I went early, 7:30 am, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to avoid the crushing crowds and to see what i was supposed to see and experience.
Upon walking in, there was a small Mass taking place at the place where Jesus was buried. I quietly joined the Mass amazed at what I was experiencing. I saw Franciscan Father's participating and of course I felt very welcomed. It was a very small group that I became a part of and I was offered communion at that place in front of the tomb. The experience drew me to tears. I was absolutely blessed this morning.
Within minutes after the Mass, I found myself to be the first person in line to enter the tomb where he was laid.....I cannot explain how I felt to be suddenly put in this position and to see this most holy place. All I can say is I was guided....I cannot explain it.....thank you God. This will be a day I will always remember.
And today WAS a miracle....Jesus was taking care of me....
I went early, 7:30 am, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to avoid the crushing crowds and to see what i was supposed to see and experience.
Upon walking in, there was a small Mass taking place at the place where Jesus was buried. I quietly joined the Mass amazed at what I was experiencing. I saw Franciscan Father's participating and of course I felt very welcomed. It was a very small group that I became a part of and I was offered communion at that place in front of the tomb. The experience drew me to tears. I was absolutely blessed this morning.
Within minutes after the Mass, I found myself to be the first person in line to enter the tomb where he was laid.....I cannot explain how I felt to be suddenly put in this position and to see this most holy place. All I can say is I was guided....I cannot explain it.....thank you God. This will be a day I will always remember.
And today WAS a miracle....Jesus was taking care of me....
I went early, 7:30 am, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to avoid the crushing crowds and to see what i was supposed to see and experience.
Upon walking in, there was a small Mass taking place at the place where Jesus was buried. I quietly joined the Mass amazed at what I was experiencing. I saw Franciscan Father's participating and of course I felt very welcomed. It was a very small group that I became a part of and I was offered communion at that place in front of the tomb. The experience drew me to tears. I was absolutely blessed this morning.
Within minutes after the Mass, I found myself to be the first person in line to enter the tomb where he was laid.....I cannot explain how I felt to be suddenly put in this position and to see this most holy place. All I can say is I was guided....I cannot explain it.....thank you God. This will be a day I will always remember.
Hi all.....I took time this morning after my experience at the tomb to remain in the Church and just contemplate what I had experienced....to my surprise there were not a lot of crowds for about an hour, and I was able to walk the church and truly think about my time there.
Later in the day I walked the Ramparts (top of the walls of the old city) all the way around.... It was a very narrow stone path with very steep steps up and down....as a person who does not like high places, it was a challenge for me!...I will not do it again, but loved it while I was there!!!!...I would highly recommend it, but take your time walking it!
The following are pics taken on the Ramparts overlooking the old city.....the last pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
Hi all.....I took time this morning after my experience at the tomb to remain in the Church and just contemplate what I had experienced....to my surprise there were not a lot of crowds for about an hour, and I was able to walk the church and truly think about my time there.
Later in the day I walked the Ramparts (top of the walls of the old city) all the way around.... It was a very narrow stone path with very steep steps up and down....as a person who does not like high places, it was a challenge for me!...I will not do it again, but loved it while I was there!!!!...I would highly recommend it, but take your time walking it!
The following are pics taken on the Ramparts overlooking the old city.....the last pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
Hi all.....I took time this morning after my experience at the tomb to remain in the Church and just contemplate what I had experienced....to my surprise there were not a lot of crowds for about an hour, and I was able to walk the church and truly think about my time there.
Later in the day I walked the Ramparts (top of the walls of the old city) all the way around.... It was a very narrow stone path with very steep steps up and down....as a person who does not like high places, it was a challenge for me!...I will not do it again, but loved it while I was there!!!!...I would highly recommend it, but take your time walking it!
The following are pics taken on the Ramparts overlooking the old city.....the last pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
Hi all.....I took time this morning after my experience at the tomb to remain in the Church and just contemplate what I had experienced....to my surprise there were not a lot of crowds for about an hour, and I was able to walk the church and truly think about my time there.
Later in the day I walked the Ramparts (top of the walls of the old city) all the way around.... It was a very narrow stone path with very steep steps up and down....as a person who does not like high places, it was a challenge for me!...I will not do it again, but loved it while I was there!!!!...I would highly recommend it, but take your time walking it!
The following are pics taken on the Ramparts overlooking the old city.....the last pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
Hi all.....I took time this morning after my experience at the tomb to remain in the Church and just contemplate what I had experienced....to my surprise there were not a lot of crowds for about an hour, and I was able to walk the church and truly think about my time there.
Later in the day I walked the Ramparts (top of the walls of the old city) all the way around.... It was a very narrow stone path with very steep steps up and down....as a person who does not like high places, it was a challenge for me!...I will not do it again, but loved it while I was there!!!!...I would highly recommend it, but take your time walking it!
The following are pics taken on the Ramparts overlooking the old city.....the last pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
Hi all.....I took time this morning after my experience at the tomb to remain in the Church and just contemplate what I had experienced....to my surprise there were not a lot of crowds for about an hour, and I was able to walk the church and truly think about my time there.
Later in the day I walked the Ramparts (top of the walls of the old city) all the way around.... It was a very narrow stone path with very steep steps up and down....as a person who does not like high places, it was a challenge for me!...I will not do it again, but loved it while I was there!!!!...I would highly recommend it, but take your time walking it!
The following are pics taken on the Ramparts overlooking the old city.....the last pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
this pic is of our dig site at the Zion Gate....a "birds eye view"!!
See you tomorrow!....k
Hi all...my day started out early again and my morning ended beautifully!
Walked the streets looking for a church service...followed the bells. As I looked lost, a man directed me right into the
Franciscan St Salvador Monastery dating back to 1560...also known as the Franciscan Complex......a beautiful Mass was in progress in Latin and afterwards took the pictures that you see. At the end of the Mass I did catch the word "hospitality" and followed the crowd into the monastery...juice and cookies ( no donuts Nancy) and enjoyed the crowd. No one really spoke English and I tried to tell some of the Father's that I was from Arizona!...no one really understood.....so enjoyed another cookie and juice and walked around....beautiful grounds tucked away off a small street.....this IS a trip of discovery!
This afternoon I will go to St James Cathedral built in the 12th century and dedicated to St James in the Armenian Quarter...it is also a monastery....it is only open to visitors from 3 to 3:45 in the afternoon....there is so much to see!!
K
Hi all...my day started out early again and my morning ended beautifully!
Walked the streets looking for a church service...followed the bells. As I looked lost, a man directed me right into the
Franciscan St Salvador Monastery dating back to 1560...also known as the Franciscan Complex......a beautiful Mass was in progress in Latin and afterwards took the pictures that you see. At the end of the Mass I did catch the word "hospitality" and followed the crowd into the monastery...juice and cookies ( no donuts Nancy) and enjoyed the crowd. No one really spoke English and I tried to tell some of the Father's that I was from Arizona!...no one really understood.....so enjoyed another cookie and juice and walked around....beautiful grounds tucked away off a small street.....this IS a trip of discovery!
This afternoon I will go to St James Cathedral built in the 12th century and dedicated to St James in the Armenian Quarter...it is also a monastery....it is only open to visitors from 3 to 3:45 in the afternoon....there is so much to see!!
K
Hi all...my day started out early again and my morning ended beautifully!
Walked the streets looking for a church service...followed the bells. As I looked lost, a man directed me right into the
Franciscan St Salvador Monastery dating back to 1560...also known as the Franciscan Complex......a beautiful Mass was in progress in Latin and afterwards took the pictures that you see. At the end of the Mass I did catch the word "hospitality" and followed the crowd into the monastery...juice and cookies ( no donuts Nancy) and enjoyed the crowd. No one really spoke English and I tried to tell some of the Father's that I was from Arizona!...no one really understood.....so enjoyed another cookie and juice and walked around....beautiful grounds tucked away off a small street.....this IS a trip of discovery!
This afternoon I will go to St James Cathedral built in the 12th century and dedicated to St James in the Armenian Quarter...it is also a monastery....it is only open to visitors from 3 to 3:45 in the afternoon....there is so much to see!!
- K
Hi all...my day started out early again and my morning ended beautifully!
Walked the streets looking for a church service...followed the bells. As I looked lost, a man directed me right into the
Franciscan St Salvador Monastery dating back to 1560...also known as the Franciscan Complex......a beautiful Mass was in progress in Latin and afterwards took the pictures that you see. At the end of the Mass I did catch the word "hospitality" and followed the crowd into the monastery...juice and cookies ( no donuts Nancy) and enjoyed the crowd. No one really spoke English and I tried to tell some of the Father's that I was from Arizona!...no one really understood.....so enjoyed another cookie and juice and walked around....beautiful grounds tucked away off a small street.....this IS a trip of discovery!
This afternoon I will go to St James Cathedral built in the 12th century and dedicated to St James in the Armenian Quarter...it is also a monastery....it is only open to visitors from 3 to 3:45 in the afternoon....there is so much to see!!
K
Hi all...my day started out early again and my morning ended beautifully!
Walked the streets looking for a church service...followed the bells. As I looked lost, a man directed me right into the
Franciscan St Salvador Monastery dating back to 1560...also known as the Franciscan Complex......a beautiful Mass was in progress in Latin and afterwards took the pictures that you see. At the end of the Mass I did catch the word "hospitality" and followed the crowd into the monastery...juice and cookies ( no donuts Nancy) and enjoyed the crowd. No one really spoke English and I tried to tell some of the Father's that I was from Arizona!...no one really understood.....so enjoyed another cookie and juice and walked around....beautiful grounds tucked away off a small street.....this IS a trip of discovery!
This afternoon I will go to St James Cathedral built in the 12th century and dedicated to St James in the Armenian Quarter...it is also a monastery....it is only open to visitors from 3 to 3:45 in the afternoon....there is so much to see!!
K
Hi all...my day started out early again and my morning ended beautifully!
Walked the streets looking for a church service...followed the bells. As I looked lost, a man directed me right into the
Franciscan St Salvador Monastery dating back to 1560...also known as the Franciscan Complex......a beautiful Mass was in progress in Latin and afterwards took the pictures that you see. At the end of the Mass I did catch the word "hospitality" and followed the crowd into the monastery...juice and cookies ( no donuts Nancy) and enjoyed the crowd. No one really spoke English and I tried to tell some of the Father's that I was from Arizona!...no one really understood.....so enjoyed another cookie and juice and walked around....beautiful grounds tucked away off a small street.....this IS a trip of discovery!
This afternoon I will go to St James Cathedral built in the 12th century and dedicated to St James in the Armenian Quarter...it is also a monastery....it is only open to visitors from 3 to 3:45 in the afternoon....there is so much to see!!
K
Hi all.... This afternoon was very interesting....after resting from this morning, I went to the Lions Gate, also known as St Stevens Gate, where it is thought he was stoned. It is in the Muslim Quarter and also the beginning of the Via Dolorosa......it was VERY busy and congested with traffic! So many cars you could hardly walk through. I went outside the gate to look and take pictures...I found a Muslim cemetery which I entered and only stayed for a few minutes....thank goodness...as I was leaving suddenly there were crowds of men out of nowhere carrying an open coffin...not one but 2....I went across the walkway and watched. There must have been 200+ men entering the cemetery where I had just come out of......no women.....it was loud and boisterous and fascinating to watch. I did not take any pictures as I did not feel it appropriate.....I had never seen anything like this before....thank goodness I left when I did...again I believe I was being watched over.
I followed the Via Dolorosa and found that most of the stations were closed being Sunday, but there were many pilgrims following the route probably very disappointed that the stations were closed....lesson...do not follow the Via Dolorosa on Sunday.....however the second station overseen by the Franciscans was open....Thank you Franciscans!...I will attempt ALL the stations again during the week.
I made my way over to the Armenian Quarter where St James Cathedral is....described as one of the most splendid churches in Jerusalem....and it was.....it was built in the 12th century and is the traditional burial place of James the Less, Jesus' brother, and of the head of the apostle James the Great. According to tradition the body of James the Great is buried in Spain in the Church of Santiago de Compostela.
I attended the service from 3-3:45. They are only open during this time daily for services. It was given in Armenian and completely chanted. This also serves as a monastery and there were probably 40 young men who were entering the church chanting and singing during the service. It was a beautifully ornate, but a dark cathedral and I was only able to take one picture that I am sending.
There are so many ways to worship God in this city.....but what truly comes through is that we are just one people under God....Amen. K
Hi all.... This afternoon was very intetesting....after resting from this mornimg, I went to the Lions Gate, also known as St Stevens Gate, where it is thought he was stoned. It is in the Muslim Quarter and also the beginning of the Via Dolorosa......it was VERY busy and congested with traffic! So many cars you could hardly walk through. I went outside the gate to look and take pictures...I found a Muslim cemetery which I entered and only stayed for a few minutes....thank goodness...as I was leaving suddenly there were crowds of men out of nowhere carrying an open coffin...not one but 2....I went across the walkway and watched. There must have been 200+ men entering the cemetery where I had just come out of......no women.....it was loud and boisterous and fascinating to watch. I did not take any pictures as I did not feel it appropriate.....I had never seen anything like this before....thank goodness I left when I did...again I believe I was being watched over.
I followed the Via Dolorosa and found that most of the stations were closed being Sunday, but there were many pilgrims following the route probably very disappointed that the stations were closed....lesson...do not follow the Via Dolorosa on Sunday.....however the second station overseen by the Franciscans was open....Thank you Franciscans!...I will attempt ALL the stations again during the week.
I made my way over to the Armenian Quarter where St James Cathedral is....described as one of the most splendid churches in Jerusalem....and it was.....it was built in the 12th century and is the traditiomal burial place of James the Less, Jesus' brother, and of the head of the apostel James the Great. According to tradition the body of James the Great is buried in Spain in the Church of Santiago de Compostela.
I attended the service from 3-3:45. They are only open during this time daily for services. It was given in Armenian and completely chanted. This also serves as a monastery and there were probably 40 young men who were entering the church chanting and singing during the service. It was a beautifully ornate, but a dark cathedral and I was only able to take one picture that I am sending.
There are so many ways to worship God in this city.....but what truly comes through is that we are just one people under God....Amen. K
East side of City outside the Lions Gate and in Kidron Valley between old city and Mt of Olives.....Jewish Graves in the foreground.
...walkway around city
walkway around city...lots of steps.
south side of Temple Mount....
Hulda Gate where it is thought Jesus entered city but is now closed up ...closing happened during Islamic Ottoman Period.
My relaxing place after a long day....it's cool with a breeze and a view!...someone shot arrows from here during the Crusades!!
My relaxing place after a long day....it's cool with a breeze and a view!...someone shot arrows from here during the Crusades!!.
