JORDAN-MT NEBO AND THE MAP OF MADABA

On Thursday, January 16, we boarded the bus for the trip to Jordan.  Our group is now 12 rather than 34, which gives us a bit more flexibility on timing and experiencing the sites.  The border was only 40 minutes from Jerusalem, but would take us an hour to get through the crossing.  At the border, our Christian Palestinian-Israeli guide bid us farewell as he would not be joining us in Jordan.  Instead, we were met on the other side by a Christian Palestinian-Jordanian guide.  Omar is his given name, but his Christian name is Gabriel.  He said he responds to either name.

Waiting in the bus for our guide at the Jordanian customs office, a policeman took interest in Ginger.  He playfully put his head in the window, then came to the bus door and brought her a flower.  Then, he disappeared into the Duty Free shop, returning with three chocolate bars.  His english is non-existent, but we managed to be able to ask if we could take a photo, which he obliged.


Geez...Camels kissing her.  Jordanian officers hitting on her.  With all this attention, I'm concerned that Ginger may decide to stay......



On to Mt. Nebo.  The bus was having engine problems.  At a checkpoint stop, the Jordanian army came to the rescue.  Several of them worked on the engine, adding water and oil.  We were on our way.

Mt. Nebo is the place where Moses was allowed to look at the promised land, but he could not enter.  It is also believed that Moses dies and God buried him here.

From Pisgah, the top of Mt. Nebo, the views extend to Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the west, The Sea of Galilee to the north, and the Dead Sea to the south west. Clouds were obscuring the views.  But, we were able to take in the moment.  How did Moses feel, leading tribes of Israel for 40 years in the desert, reaching the promised land, but not being able to enter and enjoy the fruits of his life's work?  Our society teaches us that we will be rewarded for our work.  How would I feel if I worked toward a goal my entire life, then, just as the goal was to be realized, I was prevented from enjoying it?  Moses had more faith than I think I could have.  (Maybe that's something to work on).

The Basilica of the Memorial of Moses, a church honoring Moses, was originally built as a Byzantine church and monastery in the 4th century AD.   It was under renovation, so we could not go inside.  A small room held relics that have been excavated from the area along with models of the mountain and information.  We are in the land of mosaics, and we will find that mosaic artistry is everywhere.  The photo on the right is a mosaic that has been found in the Byzantine chapel.


Next stop was a mosaic factory and shop, where we had to stop to see how mosaics are made and (of course) shop.

River Jordan is at the top with
Jericho shown as the large building below the river

On to Madaba,  At St George Church is found the remnants of a detailed mosaic map of the Holy Land.  It is in the floor of the church, and likely encompassed approx. half of the floor area.  This map has helped archaeologists and biblical scholars confirm many of the locations for events from the Bible.  Here are photos of portions of the map.

The old city of Jerusalem is shown in the circular area

After another event filled day, we arrived at our hotel in Amman, Jordan.  The Regency Palace is the nicest hotel we have stayed in during this Pilgrimage.   I found it odd that we had to put our bags through a scanner similar to the airports and we are traveling with "Tourism Policeman".  While we have felt very safe in all areas we have traveled, this is the first time we have been accompanied by a policeman.  Our guide said that Americans believe the area to be unsafe, so the Jordanian government is showing us that it is a safe area, and having a policeman accompany us.  Hm.  I think I would feel more safe if the policeman was NOT there.  But, he is a very nice young man.