VISIT TO THE ANCIENT TIMES

At the remains of the ancient Roman theatre

We started on the road today to begin a very intense part of our pilgrimage.  For the next ten days we will be visiting sites almost non-stop.  Today we made our way up to Galilee, and stopped at Caesarea Maritima as well as the edge of Mount Carmel.

The ruins of Herod's port cities

            In Caesarea Maritima we saw the ruins of one of Herod's great port cities.  From his garden you got an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea. With its rich blue water and cool sea breeze it was a nice change of pace from many of the desert places we have been so far.  This site also held a mini gladiator style arena, where over 250,000 people lost their lives in various blood sports.  In addition to all of this, it was also the site of the imprisonment of St. Paul as well as a crusader fortress.

            The next stop we made was to the edge Mount Carmel.  This was the site where Elijah killed the 450 prophets of Ba'al.  In all there wasn't much to see at this site other than the view.  From the rooftop one could look out over the entire countryside, into the fertile Jazreel Valley.  In one direction you could even see the site that is supposed to be the place of the last battle between Heaven and Hell, which we will visit later.

View from a side of Mount Carmel

            In all, today was tiring yet very good.  It was good to get a change of scenery, and I think all of us are looking forward to life on the road in Galilee.