Israel Travel Diary
March 1997

Harold’s Reminiscences and
Ramblings on an Israel Trip

Though a relatively small country (roughly the size of the state of New Jersey), Israel is remarkable in its contrasts. The early spring journey of which I was a part afforded varied sights: the Mediterranean coastal plains covered with the Rose of Sharon and other assorted wildflowers of yellow and blue; the Carmel ridge overlooking the farmland of the wide and rich Jezreel valley; the blue Galilee surrounded by mountains; the ancient Caesarea Philippi [Banias] and the ascent toward the heights of Mt. Hermon in the north, the lush Jordan valley with its many vineyards flanked on either side by mountain ranges of meager foliage; the stunning desert splendor of the Judean wilderness; the strange but beautiful Dead Sea and the intermittent oases of date palm groves dotting its shoreline; the gently rolling hills of the Shephelah speckled with vineyards, orchards of plums and oranges, and the green of wheat fields.

In addition to the contrasts, another striking aspect of Israel is its history. History in the United States reaches back a mere 400 years. Four hundred years is but a blink of the eye to the ancient land of Israel. For example, Megiddo, which dates back to 4,000 BCE, was one of the Canaanite walled city-states conquered by Joshua and later served as a fortress city of Solomon and Ahab. The remote past comes alive as one walks through such sites as the ancient Canaanite city of Hazor; the first-century CE villages of Chorazin and Capernaum; the splendid Roman cities of Sepphoris [Zippori] and Bet She'an; the underground city of Maresha [Bet Guvrin]; and the Crusader fortresses of Acco [Acre] and Belvoir [Kochav Hayarden]. And of course, one cannot forget Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is special. The mix of cultures and customs and religions creates a cacophony of sights and sounds. The orthodox Jew, dressed in his black suit and fur hat and strapped around the arms with phylacteries, prays side-by-side with the young soldier carrying an automatic weapon. The young "Queen Esthers" dressed in white, princess outfits for Purim stand in stark contrast to the young boys wearing cowboy hats and six-shooters. Not to mention the bearded, six-foot four-inch, 250-pound drag- queen on Ben Yehuda street! The narrow streets wind through the walled old city, lined on either side by shops of Arabs, Jews, and Christians alike. Both young and old shopkeepers bark their wares to the tourists, "Come see my prices! Only two dollar American!" Walking the ancient thoroughfares, eating pita bread bought fresh from the oven, one
knows the city is unique.

Israel has an attraction for many, myself included. After having studied and taught the Bible, this trip had special meaning for me. The lay of the land around Galilee, the narrowness of Nazareth's streets, the confusion of sights and sounds in Jerusalem, and the isolation of Masada have come alive. I will never look at the stories of the Bible in the same way again. The beauty of the land of Israel has become a part of me.


- Francis Kimmitt - Israel Trip