Jerash, Mount Nebo, Jericho, Jerusalem

GPS Track

As we were packing to leave the Amman Hotel this morning, I noticed this sticker in the night stand drawer. Instead of the traditional Gideon's Bible, there was a sticker with the word Allah and an arrow. We guessed rather quickly that it was pointing towards Mecca which allows Muslims to pray while pointing in the right direction. We were also awakened by the mosque's prayer call about 4:45 AM. This all confirmed that we were indeed in the Middle East.

An early morning view out our Amman hotel room.

First stop this morning was the Roman ruins at Jerash, about 35 miles north of Amman. This is a good view of the main oval looking north along the main road towards the north entry arch.

A zoomed view of the main north-south road.

The South Theatre at Jerash. From where the guide is standing, his voice is amplified. Amazing acoustics.

Next stop on the way to the Israeli border was the top of Mount Nebo. This is where Moses had his first view of the promised land.

This is the Jordan River that marks the border of Jordan and Israel. We are on the Allenby Bridge. The Israeli side is actually the West Bank occupied territories. Our elevation here was 1200 feet below sea level...

.... as confirmed on my GPS.

The Israeli border crossing was a bit disconcerting. I don't mind the AK47s, it's just that the border guards all looked like teenagers.

First stop in Israel was the old city of Jericho. I mean really old!!

Our tour guide while in Israel is Saad. I've never seen anyone who knows more about where things happen in the Bible. Amazing!

He kept Melanie on her toes. She was requested by the guide to read scripture several times. 

That faint line along the side of the mountain was the old Roman road from Jericho to Jerusalem. Jesus made this journey many times on foot. The valley below is the "valley of the shadow of death." 

We arrived at the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem about 6:30 PM Wednesday evening. For location click here. We are 3-4 blocks north of the Damascus Gate to the old city. We stay here four nights, then check out on Sunday morning.