Thursday 24 March 2011

Rain, Rain, a blessing from God (really?)

We have had rain a few times since arriving in Israel. March is the end of the "Winter" and the begining the dryer season, yet today we had what our driver said was the wetest day of the year!  The rains were so bad and so strong today - that we postponed our boat ride on the sea of Galilee.  We started with Mass at Mount Tabor - the site which celebrates the Transfiguration of our Lord. The base of mount Tabor is perhaps the place where there has been the greatesat change in the time from when I first came to Israel, and now. In days gone by, there was once a simple flat dirt parking area - where Pilgrims transferred from their large bus to a series of Taxis - which would usher you up the twisting switch back road to the top of the Mountain.  Now there is a paved area, with a Kiosk, a shop and a fruit stand, and a large paved are for the pilgrim buses to wait.
We were early for mass, and they were able to allow us to start early. (This is very unusual in the Holy Land!)  After Mass we made our way back to the shore of the sea of Galilee, and stopped for Lunch at a restaraunt that offers St. Peter's Fish (aka Talapia). After Lunch we visited Nof Kinosar which houses the Jesus Boat, a boat found in the mud of the shoreline of the sea of Galilee in 1986.  The boat is on display here with a short video showing the history how they were able to save the fragile wooden structure.  Then we visited a diamond jewelry factory.  (It seemed that the women lead the way into the factory!)
We have pushed our Boat Ride to Saturday, which is already quite full. Each day is tiring - dealing with issues that surface, keeping people happy, and providing snacks for the time on the Bus.  The rain has stopped tonight, and the weather is to be be much better in the next few days...
Shalom!

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