The refreshing water of the Mediterranean has rejuvenated our weary limbs! Today was to be a free day in Jerusalem but instead we took the option of bussing to the old city of Jaffa, (Joppa), an hour away, because of the build up of violent tensions in Jerusalem. We passed through arid limestone hills with some olive trees and terraces from ancient farming, along the major road corridor that cuts through the Palestinian West Bank to the more fertile plains near the Mediterranean Sea. We saw Lod (Lydda) in the distance, where Peter healed Annaeus and was called to heal Dorcas in Joppa.
The old city of Joppa still has a port and some old buildings near the sea. We visited the Catholic Church of St Peter and after wandering old narrow streets we saw the house purported to be that of Simon the Tanner, where Peter had the vision of food and was called to Cornelius, changing the world!
Some of us chose to browse in the art studios and shops while others swam at the sandy beach which stretched all the way past Tel Aviv. Jim, John and Ken even caught some waves. Cynthia has photos of this beach of her Dad with his troops in world war 2. We saw a whale-shaped fountain that reminded us that Jonah set off from here when he ran away from God's command to go to Nineveh. Napoleon invaded this city in 1799.
After we returned to Jerusalem we all celebrated Michael's and Bob's birthdays in style with high tea in the peaceful, leafy, garden courtyard of The American Colony Hotel. This was set up by the Spaffords, (he wrote the hymn "All is Well"), in1881 and became, among other things, a Christian home for children. Many famous people have stayed here over the years and now it has been graced with our presence! Thanks to Michael and Bob for our last memorable afternoon in Jerusalem.
Photos: For the children - Poor Teddy climbed the crane & couldn't get down; Church of St Peter at Jaffa (Joppa); Ivan reading from Acts 10 v 1 - 23; Possibly Simon the Tanner's house; An art studio; Napoleon was here!; Doorway & Plaque of Armenian Convent that looked after Napoleon's sick soldiers; Phil & Matthew running into the warm Mediterranean Sea; View along the beach to Tel Aviv; Birthday celebration in garden of American Colony Hotel; Birthday boy Michael with Cynthia; Another birthday boy, Bob; Some of the table groups celebrating the birthdays.
By Jim and Fiona
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