One of the most interesting places we visited today was Meggido. The small mound stands at the crossroads of the ancient roads that connected the lands of the North and the South (Babylon and Egypt). Becuse of it's strategic location many wars have been fought here and the Bible says it will be the location of the final war - the Battle ofArmageddon.
What blew me away was seeing gates that dated back to King David
and walking through a water system underground that was constructed by King Ahab.
Hard to imagine looking out over the valley thinking that King David looked out at this same view!
Over my left shoulder is Nazareth where we visisted a well where Mary and Jesus would have gone to get water and then walked through the city streets to the church of the Annunciation. it was a taste of the ancient and the modern as we made our way through the streets and markets of Nazareth and our guide even stopped and treated us to some "Old City Pizza". It was still morning but it was delicious.
The other ancient site we visisted today was the city of Caesarea along the Mediterranean Sea. Again it was amazing to see structures that are being completely rebuilt with ancient stones found during excavation. The history was fascinating and the views of the Med. Sea absolutely gorgeous. (The picture below is a panoramic view of the Sea - I hope it looks ok once posted. ) 
Our day ended in Jerusalem where we will stay for the rest of the trip. I'm sorry I won't have any more sunrise pictures, my room here overlooks a courtyard with the Olive Tree for which the Hotel is named. Right now there is a LARGE Jewish banquet going on and the men can really sing!! (At times it sounds more like a PSU basketball game) Sundown marked the beginning of the Sabbath so we saw many people dressed for the synagogue and there is one elevator in the hotel dedicated to Jews who observe the Sabbath - you don't have to push any buttoms - it simply runs all the time and stops on every floor.
This is a fascinating trip with so much ancient history, personal faith reflections and the experience of a very different culture. It all adds shape and depth and texture to what it means for me to have a relationship with God.
Shalom!
