After lunch we left the Old City by way of the Dung Gate, boarded the bus and headed for the places that Samson and David made famous. As we left the City of Jerusalem, we drove through the ultra-Orthodox Jewish area of Mea Shearim originally built for Jews from Poland and Lithuania in the late 19th century. They hold to a rigorous observance of Judaic law and an uncompromising rejection of modern life. They segregate themselves from less observant Jews, oppose the common use of Hebrew and some do not even recognize the State of Israel. They claim that there can be no true Jewish State until the coming of the Messiah. We were careful to travel through on a non-sabbath day and not leave the bus. The punishment for not abiding by their standards can be a stoning!
We traveled south and west of Jerusalem first to the area of Samsom, Bet Shemesh - the former capital of the Canaanites. We walked to a small Tel where you could see remains of several buildings, one built on top of the other. At the top of the Tel was a small round three stepped ancient altar where we sat and read the story of Samson from Judges 13-16. From the geographical description given in Judges, it seemed quite likely to me that this Tel was very likely visited by many ancient peoples since it was the only small hill in the middle of the valley between the cities mentioned. I found part of a handle of an old jar just by kicking up what looked like a rock in the middle of the trail!
Next we drove a short distance to the Valley of Elah where we walked down to a small brook in a valley between two mountains, similar to the description in I Samuel 16 and 17. The story of David is quite remarkable. It surprised us that there was no chapel, monument or synagogue to mark this historic spot. David being such an important character to both the Jews and the Christians seemed stange that there was nothing there to remind us of his slaying of the Giant, Goliath. It was fascinating to imagine what stones David would have picked up to slay the Giant and what faith he must have possessed to fight a man over nine feet tall!
As we made our way to the airport we stopped at a small strip mall for dinner. There was a McDonalds there so Mom ordered a quarter pounder with cheese and got a huge hamburger with two large meat patties on a huge bun. We will have to track down a picture that someone else in our group captured because you would not believe how big it was!
Arriving at the airport four hours early was no mistake. It took us almost two hours to clear secruity before we checked in. Yes, that is before you check in. It makes sense. Why would you let a terriorist walk into an airport lobby, set down a couple of suitcases in a crowded area and walk out? In Israel, they check the luggage as soon as you walk through the door. They have security at a gate a couple of miles from the airport and another before you enter the various terminals. All guarded by soldiers with machine guns. We were actually glad for all the security. I did however, leave my phone, wallet and i pod touch at one of the security stations. They graciously found me and returned all of the items including the loose change.
