Historic America in Israel: Aaron's Travel Journal PART 2

A few months ago my wife Molly & I took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel as part of an amazing journey with the Israel Collective. These are my journal entries over the course of the trip. Today’s post is the second installment. More to come!

Molly & I on the motor coach.

DAY THREE / 2.10.22 / Morning / The Bus

We’re on the way to Jerusalem and have pulled over on the side of the road. The nervously steep hillside sweeps down to the Sea of Galilee beside our parking area. If there’s any literal truth to the story of Jesus casting the demon Legion into a herd of pigs, this is where it would have happened. Oink.

This morning we took a driving tour of the Golan Heights in a convoy of Land Rovers. The heights are the strategic high ground which exists between Israel and Syria. Today they are firmly held by the Israelis as a result of their victory over Syria in the Six Day War. We were led by tour guides who were also Israeli reservists. They were friendly men that you’d like to have beside you in a tough spot. It was cold, the ride was exhilarating, the roads were bumpy, and they gave us hot tea to keep warm. There was a sharp wind which lifted the heavy mist just long enough to give us a view of Syria in the distance. Amidst this stark landscape, our guides talked about the current security situation on the northern border while pointing out abandoned Syrian towns (The Syrian civil war still rages on). The discussion was complex and fascinating. The larger topic of Iran casts a long shadow here and is central to the region’s troubles. Nearby lay the skeletons of destroyed and defunct tanks. We continued our drive seeing more military sights and maneuvering the vehicles through impossibly rutted terrain. I am now a firm believer in the utility of Land Rovers and felt like I was in a hyper masculine SUV ad. Sadly my vehicular acumen extends to knowing the difference between the gas & break pedals. I’m also good at holding the flashlight while repair work is being done.

An abandoned tank atop the Golan Heights.

Back on the bus.

[Later that day]

We drove thru the West Bank to arrive in Jerusalem that evening. En route, we passed Jericho (the city Joshua knocked down) and some Israeli settlements in the region which are apparently under dispute (depending upon whom you ask). The scenery along our drive was arid; the green surrounding the Sea of Galilee was a memory. There were shabby Bedouin encampments along the roadside in places. On the whole it reminded me of Southern California - rugged, mountainous and populated with falafel joints instead of In-N-Out Burgers.

We entered Jerusalem under a rainfall and took in a view of the ancient city from the Mount of Olives. The golden Dome of the Rock stood out prominently on the Temple Mount and a massive cemetery covered the hillside we stood on. The history was thick - you didn’t have to go looking for it. So that’s what Zion looks like? I’d always wanted to know! Cant wait to go exploring in the city tomorrow.

First look at Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

[That night]

Molly and I went walking through the market area nearby our hotel. This section of Jerusalem is fairly modern and the city has a lot of energy after dark. There were crowds at the bars and the vendors were hard at work selling hazelnut spreads, spices, knock off goods and more. I’m on the hunt for a handmade cross. There are lots of young people wearing black. I can’t help but think about how American I must look.

If you want to learn more about the Israel Collective, click HERE. If you’d like to learn more about our great tour guide, Yoav Rotem, click HERE.