Friday
The 420 wake up call from the neon-lit Mosque was interesting. That is how I kicked off my day, and then went back to sleep for another hour and a half.
The focus of our day is the Decapolis. These were the ten cities that were in Jewish Territory that supported Greco-Roman culture during the time of Jesus. The two cities that we went to were Jerash and Umm Qeis. Jerash was a very well preserved site that had quite a bit of it's history preserved. I remember Zefar, our tour guide, rushing us through because there was so much to see. Good thing I am in shape, because this guy is a bit faster paced Hal and he takes it personal when people do not keep up. Anyway, when you first arrive at Jerash, you are welcomed by then a giant asian market. I am glad I avoided that right away and moved on to the first landmark. Hadrian's Arch is a massive stone arch that looks like a building at first blush. It has one giant arch in the middle, and is flanked by two smaller arches, separated by columns. After you pass that, there is a hippodrome that is still operating. I did not get to watch the races on the way out, partially because I was avoiding the large out of shape gladiator that need more clothes. Not really, even though he was disturbing, I did not see it because there was not enough time.
After that, there was a huge city center which the guide called "the oval", it was a vast space that was surrounded with columns. From there we went on saw the remains of a temple to Zeus. There was also a temple to the Goddess Artemis. The two amphitheaters, which was built and added onto over time. One was used as a theatre, and the other was for the politicians. They provided for good exercise, being that I hiked up one of them. Zefar managed to coax a group of Jordanian bagpipers to play music for us as well. I know it sounds weird, Jordanian Bagpipers, but it is true! The British introduced bagpiping to them when they occupied Jordan. They started playing amazing grace and then transitioned mid-song with Yankee Doodle, which was really funny... until they asked for money, then I walked away hoping they did not notice my lack of Jordanian money. It was a very fast paced day, wrapped up with getting lost in the market. A few of the girls got mad at me because when they needed a fake boyfriend, I did not pull through and save them from the venders. Mainly because it was funny, but I need to work on that =)
Umm Qais is near the Gardarenes, which is the site in which Jesus cast Legion into the herd of pigs. It was great going to this site because it was were Jesus performed one of his miracles and stand at the cliff that the pigs supposedly hurled themselves off of. It was not a very big area of land, but it was interesting to see it and see the tombs and the land around it. Being that I am fascinated with the Synoptic Problem and sorting out the differences between the three Synoptic Gospels, it was great to go and listen to our guide talk about it. I found this very inspiring, and it continued to make me want to pursue my PhD. For those that do not know, I am hoping to do my Doctoral Work in this field of study.
The interesting part of Umm Qais was that since we went on the Muslim sabbath, there were people all over the place. As we drove through town, the streets were barren and every Mosque was packed. I had never seen a Muslim Sabbath before, so that was unique. As we moved through Umm Qais, we looked at the acropolis and the third amphitheater of the day. After we were done, we called it a day and went back to Israel.
Spiritually, there have been two ideas that have really stuck in my mind today. I am continuing to battle with the idea of wanting to be a professor and wanting to be a pastor. I have always believed that I should have a balance of the two worlds as potential teachers, because I will need to be able to train pastors as a teacher. I think I noticed this at Umm Qais as we talked about one of my favorite theology subjects. The idea of being a pastor a few years before I do my Doctoral work is something that I have thought about, but leaving open for God's leading.
The second idea that was mentioned in the bus really stood out to me. One of the pleasures of being on a trip with your professors is that you tend to get to know them in a different way during the trip. One of the subjects mentioned was how so many biblical characters were well into their lives when God called them to do something great. That really stood out, as we recalled how Hal said that he was ready for something else big (and he is in his seventies). That type of faith made me excited, and encouraged me. If I am doing what I am doing in my late twenties, I am excited to see what I can accomplish in a life time! But that also requires preparation. One of my classmates talked about how one of professors tries to stay a step ahead of the next generation. As a young man, I need to continue to do that physically, mentally and spiritually. I am happy with where I am, but I felt more inspired to strive to set the bar.
We went through Jordan, and it was a pretty intense change. I had my bag inspected and they asked me a lot of questions. The tour guide's parting advice for me was to lay off the milk since I was too tall and he thought i was still of growing age. When he found out I was 28, he told me I should use it to my advantage. That was my last interaction with him. I am glad that we were done with Jordan, and we were greeted/picked up by our old bus driver, Eaud! (I am not sure how it is spelled, but I think that is what I was told) It was good to see him, I am not sure what his beliefs are, but he had a really warm spirit about him. It was a nice way to come back to Israel. After the three hour drive, we went to eat and then to bed. I got to say bye to some people, which was sad, but it is also a new beginning for some friendships.
The interesting quotes of the day were as follows:
Zafur: "Are you taller than me?
Me: "Yes."
Zafur: "I like to reconcile that by thinking I have a bigger brain!"
Me: *chuckles confusedly, whether he was joking or serious"
Saturday-Sunday
Our day started at 130 am, to catch the bus at 2 to get to Tel Aviv airport for a flight to Istanbul. It was the beginning of an interesting 24 hours. At Tel Aviv, I got interrogated by a buff Israeli man who asked me random questions. OF course I passed the test. This was after having to open my bag and have it checked. Then we were off to Istanbul.
After getting the wrong instructions, and I went through the passport check as if it was the connecting flights. I was the only one that got through, and everyone else got told to go to their connecting flight. They would not let me back through! So I had to run upstairs, check in, go through security and get to the loading terminal in a half hour. Being that Tel-Aviv took for ever, I was very nervous about this. But I got through in time, only to wait for the flight. I got pulled out line, interrogated, frisked and searched. But it worked out.
The 1040 flight left late, and the ride was interesting. We were supposed to arrive at JFK on Saturday at 245 PM, and instead arrived at 945 this morning!! JFK closed in mid-flight, so after a few touch and go's, we went to Boston to refuel.
1115 Istanbul Time: Left
1500 EST: Failed landing
1800 EST: Land at Boston to Refuel
2000 EST: Circled JFK again, new course Chicago
2145 CST: Land in Chicago
Sunday 0100 CST: Got my Hotel Voucher, did not use it due to
0400 CST: Meet up with other Fliers
0600 CST: Board plane
0945 EST: Land at JFK, report to Delta
1400 EST: Left Delta Terminal with a flight for Monday
After hearing all the yelling at the registers, I was not looking forward to my conversation with the receptionist. But I was pleasant and cooperative with the woman, and it worked out great. I had a flight booked for Monday at 5 pm, later then I hoped, but I had a flight. She tried to bump me up, but could not. So I called my friend in Brooklyn, and that is where I am now.
Oh yeah, I went to Applebee's and bought Ribs and a raspberry lemonade. I LOVE AMERICAN FOOD! Now I am good and sleepy and watching Up with my friend, so I should probably go. I will write more tomorrow and wrap up then!
Jason
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