Home is where the heart is. This is a true reminder of the saying 'a heart of stone'

Guess who is the Israeli and who is the American. The natives here wear sandals all year long. That's right, even in the winter, they just add socks!

The watch towers are used especially during the harvesting season to protect the vinyards from unwanted pests, be it animal or human. The individual would litterly camp out there until the harvest was finished.

The first to bloom is the almond tree. This is your first encouragement that Spring is here.

The olive tree is seen everywhere. It helps to provide the well know Olive Oil that is so good for you.

This bird of paradise is just one of many symbols of the prophecies coming to pass of Israel being productive once again.

In among the stones and dirt, of which there is plenty in this land, there are the beautiful flowers, making everyting beautiful in it's time.

Grapevines are almost as common as the olive trees. One of my favorite foods is called Wadic de Wali, which is rolled up grape leaves with rice and meat. It's delicious.

was where many went to hide during the destruction of Jerusalem in hopes of escaping the Romans as it was a fortress built upon a very high hill.

looks down over the Dead Sea.

has many resort areas for people to lounge and swim. Due to the high concentration of salt everyone can float. Just don't open your eyes in the water or you will never forget it.

Many times a day you can see tourist boats on the Sea of Galilee

taking people from one destination to another.

was done in this area. There are so many stones, that even with all the tourists there are still plenty left.

The last battle will be in this valley. The end of the story is we WIN!

Do you remember when Jesus said that "you can say to this mountain 'be removed into the sea' and it will be done" This vision was in the background. Herod had one hill leveled to make the other higher, so that he could then build another place.

taken from Jaffa.

with the temple during Jesus' time.

This is a view of the old city of Jerusalem that is behind the stone walls with new Jerusalem in the background.

The same view but further back with more surrounding area.

including the East Gate.

The Eastern Gate

with a cemetary right in front of it. This is the gate prophecied for the Lord Jesus to walk through when He returns to reign the thousand years.

is where the Arabs gather to sell their goods.

on the North wall, also called Herod's gate.

Due to the strict dress codes for the people of Mear Sharim, tourists are warned not to offend these regulations with immodest dress.

Mear Sharim is located in downtown new Jerusalem. The streets are narrow and usually quite busy.

Custom apparel for the men are black suits complete with a brimmed hat. Women wear long dresses or skirts with a head covering. Even every day clothes are well groomed.

There are many synagogues throughout Israel. They too, like Christianity, have a variety of persuasions with differing views.

Downtown Jerusalem's main office is easily accessed by foot, bus or car.

This intersection is located right past the Post Office, as you are headed towards Ben Yehudah Street which is in the heart of Jerusalem. The main road for Jerusalem, as seen here, is Jaffa St.

is the hub of tourist shops where one call also sit in one of the open-air cafes and have a bite to eat. The street itself is blocked off to keep cars from using it.

is just as busy as in the day. Many times you will see musicians and entertainers playing for spare change.

They are the Talpiot district of Jerusalem. They have a souvenir shop, excellent dining and also hold conferences.

The open air market is located near Damascus Gate. Many vendors sit along the road side or have booths selling their goods.

This man represents to me the essence of Judaism. Their zealous love of the Word has set them apart from the average Israeli.

The shouk is open air market selling mostly food, but has small shops bordering the lanes that sell anything from clothing to houseware items.

At first these young soldiers with guns intimidated me as a tourist. I was not used to seeing them. But after living in the land, they became an everyday and welcome sight.

is where Jesus sweat blood in anticipation of His soon coming death. It's believed these very trees date back to His time.

Although it is a garden it no longer is by itself. As is typical of civilization what once was isolated can turn into a center of activity, so it is here.

This is another garden that has become surrounded by much activity, however the owners have done a great job at keeping the original plot of land as only a garden the way they found it. That's why it is one of my favorite places, besides of course feeling the Lord's presence.

Almost all, if not all apartments get their hot water from solar heated water tanks located on the roof of their building.

This view is from my friends apartment. It overlooks an Arab village that has a mosque that calls out for prayers 5 times a day. For newcomers, ear plugs can be of help.

Tabernacle is another name for these temprary dwellings built during the Feast of Tabernacles as commanded by the Lord. These dwellings are to be a reminder for the Jews today, of the exodus from Egypt.

Before reaching Bethlehem, there is a local community called 'Tantur' also populated by Arabs. Most neighborhoods have a local 'family' market where everyday items can be found.

as you start entering Bethlehem. These shops are closed for their day off.

This is another part of Bethlehem familiar to all called Babos Cock.

This road originates in Jerusalem near Damascus Gate and ends in Hebron, thus the name, Hebron Road, This cunjuction is called Babos Cock with the road to the left going to Bethlehem's shopping area while the road straight ahead continues on to Hebron. This is where I would catch a taxi, also called a 'sharout' (a Mercedes taxi seating 7 passengers) from Babos Cock into Jerusalem to work at CFI.

mentioned before at Babos Cock. The roads are in sad need of repair and you share them with the pedestrians in this shopping area.

This market is located in the shopping area off of Babos Cock. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always in abundance and cheap. A kilo (2.2 lbs.) is @ $2.00..

This road has a lot of shops a long the way and is less conjested then the area off of Babos Cock. This road takes you to Manger Square where tourists go to visit the church of Nativity.

you get many panaromic views of Bethlehems and its surrounding villages.

This church is located in Manger Square, a major tourist area filled with shops. This church is supposed to be built over the site of Jesus Christ's birth.