Sunday, December 2, 1973
Glenna and Tony picked me up at home and took me over to my parents home in River Park (Indiana).
We stopped at Zar’s in Mishawaka on the way over for a hamburger and coffee. While we were there Bob Lundberg and his wife came in.
11:10
Mother took me over to the airport in South Bend. She had packed a box of cookies for me to take along.
While going through customs at South Bend the people opened up the cookies. I offered him some and he accepted.
12:24
I left South Bend on United Flight #703. The fare one-way was $18.64.
Monday, December 3rd
11:55
Arrived in Chicago.
It took quite a long time to find a porter willing to help me transfer my luggage from United over to Delta, which is approximately one block. They didn’t seem too ambitious that time of the morning. Anyway, I had it transferred for $4.00.
I knew I had a long wait ahead of me so I checked some of my things in a locker.
I started looking for that old coffee spot. I knew that would help keep me awake. I found one, but most airport coffee isn’t anything to brag about.
Close to the Delta counter was a booth advertising flight and baggage insurance. I stopped and inquired about baggage insurance and decided to take it. I had a form with me that W I T sent but it had to go to Cal. This was closer and the fee was $11.75 for 12 days and $1,000.00 insurance.
While I was at this booth I noticed that the girl working there had been crocheting and she seemed real nice. I asked her what she was making, etc. We ended up going for coffee, only this time I settled for tea. Her name was Teresa and she lived near Chicago. I spent several hours with her. We ended up on another break at a different counter and had coffee. This was very good coffee.
While Teresa and I were at her booth an old gentleman came up and talked to Teresa. He was a janitor of some kind. He wanted her to make him a sweater. She refused since she was only learning. Would you believe my mother is making him a sweater and he even made a deposit of $5.00.
5:30
The gentleman at the Delta counter called me over and gave me the airline tickets to Nashville – round trip.
6:30
I went through customs and boarded the plane. Delta Flight 567.
7:00
We left Chicago for Nashville. This whole thing still doesn’t seem real and I have never been to Nashville.
7:15
Time for breakfast.
Ham, Omelet, rice, fruit, coffee.
8:10
Nashville, Tennessee
Here I Come. This is a beautiful city.
My instructions were to go to the Delta counter and ask for a Tour Host Rep. Well, I did, and James was right there to greet several of us from the Chicago Flight.
We went over to pick up our luggage and met the rest of the people. I think we took up almost one end of the terminal.
We received name badges and luggage tags. We tagged our own luggage and ran it on through. My luggage tag was marked for Cabin 21 on the ship. When we ran the luggage thru our passports and health cards were checked.
James sent us upstairs to check thru customs on all carry on parcels. There were two large rooms at the end of the terminal for us to use. We all waited there until everyone was thru customs.
11:00
The plane is now ready for boarding. The assigned seat numbers are on our ticket envelope.
My seat was right inside the door by the front of the plane. Row 21 – Seat A, which is a window seat.
James, Jimmy and Cecil (Blackwood) had the three seats in front of me – Row 1.
While we were waiting for take off, Jimmy decided the delay was due to them welding the wing back on the plane.
Cecil was playing with a trick deck of cards that you see advertised on TV.
Part of the delay was that two people missed connections somewhere and didn’t arrive here as yet. We are going to leave without them. They can’t get here for several more hours yet, so they will meet us somewhere along the way.
12:00
We are leaving now. This is a Saturn Flight 8395. My ticket is dated “Oct. 31, 73.”
Bangor, Maine
We are only stopping here long enough to refuel. No one will be allowed to deplane.
It sure is cold here. They left the door open to replenish the food and drinks.
Pop that is Falks.
Lunch Time
I don’t know by whose time.
Salad, Fruit, Coffee.
Tuesday, December 4, 1973
2:00 a.m. England Time
We are at Stansted, England
30 miles from London.
We all deplaned. We were given cards as we entered the airport, to be returned as we reboard.
The airport seemed dark as we walked towards it. I understand they opened up the complete airport for us. But then who wouldn’t for 250 people.
They had a counter with snack foods, pastries, cakes, etc. I had a Coke and orange juice.
There were four booths and the counter plus many benches, chairs and tables.
One booth sold liquor, which of course remained closed.
Another booth had perfumes, cameras, watches, etc.
Another booth had a very large assortment of post cards – but they were out of postage stamps.
The 1st booth had all sorts of candies and gifts.
I purchased:
Post Cards
Bobby Doll 1.45
Lamp Post 1.00
Spoon 2.00
3:00 a.m.
We are turning our cards back in now, ready for take off.
3:15 a.m.
We are on our way to Athens. Some of the people slept but I read for awhile and then crocheted.
6:00 a.m.
Breakfast Time
Omelet, Hard Rolls, Grapefruit sections, Orange slices, Coffee (from O’Hare maybe).
I asked for tea also and got it.
7:00 a.m.
We arrived at Athens airport. As we were coming down, I took a few pictures.
There is a jitney here of some kind to take us to the terminal.
We have collected our own luggage and it is now being forwarded to the ship.
There are six beautiful buses here from W I T waiting for us. This sure is beautiful country. The sky is blue and the scenery is unbelievable.
I have been assigned to Bus number 1 for the entire tour with James and Jimmy as hosts.
Our guide is Fay.
Driver – Anastasia or Tasia
Athens is the capital of Greece. The population is 2 ½ million people.
We are on the bus, we have met the guide and driver and we are on the way.
1. 900 year old Monastery of Daphne.
Built over the ruined Temple of Apollo.
2. The Areopagus (Mars Hill) the Hill of Ares.
St Paul preached here many times from this natural pulpit.
3. The Temple of Zeus.
This was the largest Temple in Europe. There were 104 – 7 x 10 Corinthian Marble Columns.
4. The Arch of Hadrian.
Our first astronauts were given awards here under this same Arch.
5. The Panathenaic Stadium.
This Marble Stadium holds 70,000 people and is used for the Olympics.
6. The Royal Guard
Is standing in front of the Palace gates.
7. The Port of Pireas.
This is he Father of the Athenian Navy.
8. Agean Sea.
Part of the Mediterranean Sea. Has no tide, salty waters. Mr Nyarkos, 2nd richest man in Greece has a shipyard here. Mr Nyarkos and Mr Onassis were once business partners. Mr Onassis pulled out and invested in oil.
The wage scale here is a little less than half of ours.
New cars here sell for $3,300.00.
American gas sells for $1.90 per gallon.
We are heading towards Corinthe, a distance of 56 miles. One mile is 1.3 kilometer.
Buses may drive 54 MPH.
Each factory here has it’s own church for their employees.
We are going through a small town between Athens and Corinthe. I believe the name is Aldorez.
Here are alive, Cypress, Eucalyptus tees. Also here are Aleander bushes.
Now we are at Megora. (Greece)
There is a toll of 1.86.
They have a population of 6,000.
Lots of folk dances are held in this area.
Paul passed thru here lots of times on his way to Corinthe.
We are passing Gypsy tents, chicken farms and even some pistachio trees.
Now we are at the halfway mark from Athens to Corinthe.
Property in this area is twelve times higher now than it was in 1965.
9. We are crossing the Corenth canal. It is 6,939 yards long, bed width of 75.6, water depth 26.3. This canal is the same length as the Suez canal. It is cut through the narrow neck of the Isehmus. It shortens the voyage by some 200 miles between the Adreatic and the Piraeus.
The U. S. dollar here is worth about 28 drachma. One drachma is $.03 in the states.
10. Archais Temple of Apollo.
There are Seven Doric Columns remaining of the original 38. These columns are of soft yellowish porous stone coated with a fine stucco. This is one of the oldest Temples in Greece.
Paul must have passed here many times during his long stay in Corinthe.
11. The Isle of Patmos
We all know that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans here.
John also took refuge here secretly to escape persecution.
Patmos is off the coast of Asia Minor. It is approximately ten miles long. Six miles wide to the north. It contains three groups of Volcanic hills. There is a grotto here at the site where John had his visions.
12. The Bema of St Paul
“Bema” in Greek means platform. Paul stood here and preached to the Corinthians.
Paul also met Priscilla here.
Paul was taken by the Jews for trial, and was later released by the Romans.
Paul also wrote two letters to the Thessalonians here.
We are heading back to Athens now. We are stopping here for Cokes.
1 book, post cards
The road back skirts a bay in the Gulf of Algina. It crosses the line of the Corinthe Canal.
Here are groves of Fir trees.
We are back in Athens and stopping at the Apollo Hotel for lunch.
As you enter the door, you go up a large winding stairway to your left to the dining room.
There is someone playing the old Hymns of the church on a piano. I don’t know who it is, but it sounds good.
Lunch is being served.
Greek fish, Salad, Chicken with rice, cheese & crackers, Baked Custard. No coffee.
Back on the buses again.
The grass is velvety green.
There are many lovely flowers here. Everyone is wearing bright, gay colors.
This is Tuesday and I just had lunch in Athens!!! I don’t believe it.
13. We are at the Acropolis or “High City.”
Old fortress built on a rocky hill 156 miles above sea level, in the 14th century B.C.
It consists of four remarkable monuments.
A. Parthenon
B. Erechtheion, Temple of Poseidon
C. Propylaea
D. Temple of Nike
There is a column over the gate guarded by two lions.
This is the oldest royal emblem in Europe.
Here are four blocks from the gate and you can still see the sockets that supported the wooden beams that closed the wooden door from inside.
As you enter you can see tracks left by chariots. They remind you of ruts on an old dirt road made by hay wagons.
A small building to the left was used for watch dogs.
13. B. To the right stands parts of a building used for a granary. Several jars were found containing carbonized grain.
Next were remains of a cemetery. Five graves had been excavated a few years ago. Remains of 19 bodies were found. The dead were lain on layers of gravel with all of their personal belongings to make their existence after death more comfortable.
There are ruins of a palace.
They had a secret cistern with 101 steps down thru a vaulted passageway.
Here are more graves.
All the findings from these graves are in the National Museum.
Pottery, necklaces, crystal bowls, gold ornaments, cups, bands, earrings, buttons, daggers and sealstones.
House of Shields
Ivory pieces, bowls, carved wood and tablets.
House of Oil Merchant
37 Tablets
Oil Jars
House of Sphinxes
Ivory pieces, Carved Ivory, plaster.
West House
Pottery
13 C. Propylaea
Two shades of Marble and two styles of Architecture.
Doric exterior and Ionian Interior
13 D. Athena-Nike
Built in the 5th Century
13.1 Parthenon
Made from Marble extracted from Mt. Penteli
13 B. Erechtheus (Temple of Poseidon)
The oldest relics of ancient Greece were found here.
Statues of six beautiful girls stood on the Portico.
We stopped at a small shop.
1 Book, Post Cards, Slides, Royal Guard, Spoon, Cross
We are going to the dark area.
5:00 p.m.
We boarded the ship at Athens. We showed our health cards and our passports. They kept the passports. Even going up the gangplank was a thrill. What an experience this is going to be.
A steward was waiting for our carry on luggage and escorted me to my cabin.
I had to look around in the closet and crawl on the bed and look out of the porthole. Water, water every where.
6:00 p.m.
Chimes proceed all announcements. Dinner will be in one hour. Buses one to three at the first serving. That will be the Blackwood Brothers Quartet groups only.
My luggage was brought up from Mineric Deck.
6:15 p.m.
Gangway raised. TSS Fitorita is sailing for Beirut. A distance of 648 nautical miles. It doesn’t even seem as though we are moving. I had to look out of the porthole to make sure – and we were.
6:45 p.m.
Dressed for dinner. I wore my black gown. I found my way to the dining room and the steward came out to escort you to a table and seat you.
7:00 p.m.
Dinner being served.
Tomato soup, Salad, Braised Tips, Green Beans, Potatoes, Orange, Coffee.
8:15 p.m.
Back to the cabin and unpacked the luggage.
9:15 p.m.
The ship Orchestra is playing in the ballroom. They play very well.
11:15 p.m.
Light refreshments are now being served.
Sandwiches, cake slices, coffee.
12:30 p.m.
I went to bed.
I don’t know if I was completely beat or if I was rocked to sleep.
Anyway – I sure fell asleep fast.
Slides
140 Sparta
153 Loutraki
109 Aracova
Wednesday, December 5, 1973
7:00 a.m.
I woke up this morning all excited and looked out the porthole to make sure this is all real. By now I fully realized I was aboard an ocean liner and in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
8:10 a.m.
By now I am ready to find a coffee pot. I went down to the dining room and would you believe they were thru serving breakfast. I asked one of the stewards if there was somewhere else I could get some coffee. He suggested I go up to the bar in the Black Lounge, which I of course did. They had coffee for 25 cents and it came out of a machine like you have at soda fountains. That was rotten coffee. It wasn’t the thick sweet Greek coffee, but it ran a close second. I settled for some orange juice from the bar. That was also 25 cents.
I took the orange juice along up to my cabin. I laid down on the bed and started thinking about what all is happening. I woke up at 11:15.
11:45 a.m.
Chimes are being sounded. Lunch will be served in the dining room in 15 minutes. Bring on that coffee pot.
12:00 p.m.
Lunch is now being served.
Hard Boiled Egg Slices, Sardines, Vegetable Tray, Pizza Patty, Cheese/crackers, Spaghetti, Roast Beef, Parsley Potatoes, Carrots, Orange, Coffee, Coffee and More Coffee
1:00 p.m.
We were to explore the ship, lounge on the deck areas, relax in the lounges or whatever we choose to do.
2:15 p.m.
There will be a life jacket drill in the Black Lounge in 15 minutes.
2:30 p.m.
We all had to bring the life jackets from our closets and put them on. That thing is all belts and buckles. One of the stewards put it on me. Later on another guy tightened I up a little more. The Captain went all around and checked each jacket to make sure it was A-1-okay.
3:00 p.m.
I went out on the sun deck and just relaxed out there for an hour.
4:00 p.m.
Afternoon Tea is now being served in the lounge areas.
Cakes, Tea, Coffee, Cookies.
4:30 p.m.
I went back upstairs and finished unpacking and tried to find a place for everything.
6:00 p.m.
Time to start getting ready for the Captains Welcome Aboard address and introduced the ships officers and all the rest of the VIP’s.
There was ballroom music and we all had a good time.
8:00 p.m.
Dinner is now being served.
Soup, Salad, Fish, Fried Chicken, French Fries, Peas, Chocolate Mousse, Coffee.
9:30 p.m.
The fellows are giving a concert using the numbers they will use on Friday evening.
12:00 a.m.
Refreshments are now being served.
Sandwiches, Cookies, Coffee.
Thursday December 6, 1973
7:00 a.m.
Time to get up – can’t miss that coffee again.
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast is now being served.
Orange Juice, Ham & Eggs, Toast, Coffee, Coffee, Coffee.
9:00 a.m.
There is a meeting in the Black Lounge for Tour Hosts only.
9:15 a.m.
Prayer meeting in the Red Lounge.
Mr. Halley took charge of this. Praise the Lord for him.
10:00 a.m.
T.S.S. Fiorita just docked at the Haifa Harbor.
I was up on deck as we pulled into the harbor.
Lebanon is a very beautiful country. But then why wouldn’t it be.
10:30 a.m.
We picked up our check number tags on the way to the disembarkation area. My number is 226.
The sky is several shades of blue and full of big white billowy clouds and the sun is bright and shining everywhere. The temperature today is 64 degrees. It just makes you want to sing “Heavenly Sunshine.”
10:45 a.m.
We boarded our buses and our guide is ISSA ISSA.
Our driver is Albert.
The flag is: Red – Blood shed in Wars
White – Purity – Cleanliness
Green – Cedar of Lebanon Trees
I bought a book from Issa Issa “Story Die Stone.” $1.50
The first thing I saw was a herd of Mountain Goats.
We are driving thru Beirut and there are sidewalk carts everywhere. Curbs, street corners, along store fronts, middle of sidewalks. . .
Some of these carts had fruit, clothing, sandwiches, flowers, pastry, etc.
The President serves a term of six years. He must be a Christian. 55% of the population are Christians, and the remaining 45% are Muslims.
The cost of living here is very low. $300.00 per month is the highest amount needed including the upper income bracket.
We are driving thru Tangerine groves.
Ezekiela 3:8 Tells us that cedar logs were brought here from Lebanon by the Sea of Jaffa to rebuild the Temples.
The homes here are stone or brick. The majority of these homes have colored louvered shutters and doors. Almost all of these shutters and doors were closed.
We are going thru the small town of Sofar. It is located 4000 ft. above sea level. The front lawns are very attractive. The grass looks like little green carpets. Flowers are blooming everywhere and the bushes are in full bloom. Cedar trees (of Lebanon) everywhere you look. Most of the homes had stone walls, pillars and steps. There was colored grating to match the color of the shutters. Some of the homes have flat roofs and others have gable roofs.
Way off in the distance you can see snow capped mountain peaks.
The stone walls that we see here are there also are used to surround fruit trees. These walls are varied heights and some places have rocks for borders.
The hillsides are full of stones and rocks.
We now have reached 5000 ft. above sea level.
ISSA, our guide, is 53 years old, married, has four children and she has been a guide for 26 years.
You can see Mt Hermon in the distance. It is 9500 ft. above sea level. In Hebrew it means “Holy Mountain.”
We are passing thru the Range of Mount Lebanon.
12:15 p.m.
This is the town of Chtaura. It is a small town. We are stopping at a restaurant here called Agel. There are two large trees growing in the dining area. They are higher than the first level of the building. There is a cathedral type ceiling with a skylight.
The tables were already set up for four people.
Marinated Vegetables, Bean Salad, Chopped Broccoli, Lima Beans, 2 Cheese ? Spreads, Beets, Parsley Potatoes, French Bread, Chicken/Rice, Apple, Coffee, Coke 25 cents.
The front of the building was all glass and there were four peddlers outside trying to sell their wares thru the glass. They had knives, whips, Arah Headdress (James was wearing one), men’s sweaters, etc.
There was a doorway in the dining room leading to a gift shop. It reminded me of our old store. It was a long store, a little wider than our old store, but it was wall to wall counters bins, boxes, etc. It was more like a country general store. They had rugs, dry goods, leather goods, kitchen wares. Souvenirs, jewelry, wearing apparel, etc. Most of the leather goods were of camel leather. They had some beautiful purses. There was not enough sales help to handle a bus load of 30 people in the 15-20 minutes allowed for shopping. I was able to get 2 sets of camels @ $2.50 each and four spoons @ $2.00 each.
Across the street was a store. I didn’t go over, but I could see some groceries, wash machines, fruit, pool table, etc.
Back on the bus and heading for Baalbek.
We are passing wheat fields. I don’t see Dale’s tractor anywhere.
Here is a field of potatoes with half a dozen pickers, men, women and children.
There are a few Gypsy tents and here comes a family of Gypsies moving. This is really something to see. They have a donkey and he is loaded down. You can hardly see him. There are a family of three walking beside him and they are carrying some bags.
Would you look to the right. A real American junkyard. I wonder where all the cars came from.
To the right is a Roman stone quarry. Stones were and still are taken from here to build Temples.
Baalbek is the showplace of Lebanon. It boasts of having the tallest columns, the largest stone blocks and the best of architectural engineers.
Here is the Temple of Baalbek. It dates back to the Canaanites. The columns are red granite.
Baalbek is the oldest town in the world.
The Canaanites date back to 3000 B.C. Baalbek is in the valley of Lebanon. (Refer to Joshua 11:17)
Like all other solar sanctuaries of the ancient world, the Temple complex was built to point to the Sunrise on March 21 and September 21. On these days the sun projects its morning rays to limelight the golden statue of Baal which was enshrined on a dais in the Holy of Hollies. The pilgrims would gather in the darkness before dawn to chant and pray. As the sun rose behind the item the god would suddenly shine. This led to a blare of trumpets, clash of cymbals, roar of drums, and the crescendo of hosannas and hallelujahs against the walls and portico's of the Temple.
Baalbek boasts also of having a trilithon in the Temple. Trilithon means three-stoned.
A limestone block wall surrounds the temple. Blocks in the lower coarse were 33 foot long, 14 foot wide and 10 foot breadth. There are nine of these blocks in the west wall forming a plinth which was built over smaller stones. Above this plinth on the west side is the trilithon.
These three blocks are 14 ½ foot high, 12 foot thick and 64 foot long. Each block averages 800 ton. These blocks are set so accurately that a razors edge could not be inserted between them.
Baalbek has been the home and resting place of Adam, his three sons, Noah and Nimrod.
After trudging around the ruins of three forecourts and the temple all afternoon, we are headed for the bus.
We are driving thru Beirut and we just passed a Col. Sanders place. You should hear the hoops and hollers. Everyone agreed that we could eat some, even after all the chicken and rice we have had. However, we didn’t stop. We are almost at the ship.
7:45 p.m.
We have just boarded the ship and we have 15 minutes to get ready for dinner.
8:00 p.m.
Chimes are calling us for dinner.
Soup, Fish, Roast Lamb, Parsley Potatoes, Tossed Salad, Green Beans, Molded Dessert, Rolls, Coffee.
9:30 p. m.
The fellows are singing again tonight. This is really wonderful. No Lloyd Oirell to come out on stage to tell them time is up.
11:30 p.m.
Snack time again. All we do around here is eat.
Sandwiches, Cookies, Coffee.
11:45 p.m.
We have just pulled away from the dock and we are sailing for Haifi, which is 72 nautical miles.
Slides
25 Palace
34 Christ King
29 Castle
31 Sea Castle
33 Bay
35 Grotto
Located between Beirut and Haifi.
4305 Elephant Leg
4301 Grotto
4302 Grotto
Friday, December 7, 1973
6:30 a.m.
We have just docked outside the Haifi harbor. James told us there would be a delay of perhaps 1 ½ hours before we could dock because of customs.
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast time.
Orange Juice, Toast, Lots of Coffee.
7:30 a.m.
James reminded us PLEASE No cameras until we leave the port area. I had to be brave so I took a picture from the porthole.
Dick Holley from Long Beach took charge of prayer meeting held in the Black Lounge. He is simply terrific. I had taken his picture yesterday up on the deck area.
Customs had tables set up at the end of the Red Lounge. We had to give them our passports in exchange for a green Israeli card and have it stamped by the custom officials after they looked at our passports and compared us to the photos. We have to show our green card each time we embark or disembark the ship.
The Bank of Israel also had a bank set up in the Red Lounge for exchange of American money, checks, etc.
8:15 a.m.
James announced that we would not be able to dock in the harbor. We will remain outside where we are now. Tendors will be here to pick us up and transfer us to the dock area.
8:30 a.m.
We are ready to leave the ship, picking up a picnic lunch on the way out. The tendors are here and off we go.
Upon reaching the dock area we had to enter a large warehouse with several tables and custom offices. We went thru customs, showed our green cards and headed for the bus.
Just as we had boarded the bus a Brinks truck pulled up. He was probably here to pick up all of those American dollars.
Our guide for the next four days is Theapolis. He told us to call him Theo. Theo lives in Jerusalem.
Danny is our driver and he too will be with us for four days.
Theo gave each of us a “Pilgrims Map of the Holy Land” and a map of Jerusalem.
Haifi is the third largest city in Israel today. The population here is over 200,000. Haifi is an important Industrial city, also the main port of Israel.
We are driving at the foot of the Carmel range of mountains.
Carmel in Hebrew means “Gods Vineyard.” I Kings 18:18-40
Elijah lived on this mountain and so did Elisha later on.
Oh, Do you see Dale over there in that field to your right on that tractor. I wonder what he is planting this morning?
I just dropped off a catalog to the Plastic Industry here They agreed to become one of our customers. Bob L. is to stop by next week for their first order.
Don’t you recognize that plane. Why of course. It’s Air Wisconsin. Why it’s Frank Taylor!! What??? How do you use the check protector.
Here is the Megiddo.
In the days of the Bible, Megiddo was the most important city for the defense of the Country. The city – due to its military importance – had already been inhabited 600 years ago.
When the Israelite's conquered the land of Canaan, Megiddo was one of the 31 cities whose Kings were killed by Joshua. (Joshua 12:21)
King Solomon made Migiddo into one of his cities of stables. (I Kings 9:15, 10:26)
Altogether there have been 23 cities built here over a period of 3600 years, the last one being destroyed 2400 years ago.
The Tunnel of Migiddo
This amazing piece of work was built by hand about 3200 years ago.
This method of bringing water into the city ensured them of a water supply even when it would be besieged by enemies. At the same time it would prevent the enemy from getting the water themselves.
We walked thru the entire tunnel – which was only 189 steps.
We are driving thru the Plain of Armageddon. This valley is such a traditional battlefield, that in Revelation 16:16 we find that this is where the last battle will be fought.
The city of Migiddo commanded the entrance to the valley. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains.
To the north we have the Nazareth range of mountains.
To the west – Hills of Manasseh and the mountains of Carmel.
To the east – the mountains of Gilboa, the Little Hermon, and of course, Mt Tabor.
To the south – the mountain of Samaria.
We are passing fields of wheat and barley on our way to Nazareth.
You can see Mt Tabor in the foreground. Due to the majestical way in which it rises from the valley of Armageddon over all it’s surroundings, it is undoubtedly one of the three most beautiful mountains in the country.
This mountain is mentioned many times in the Bible as being a very beautiful mountain. (Jeremiah 46:18, Psalms 89:12)
It is believed by many scholars that this is the Mount of Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-9)
We are driving thru the small town of Afula.
No Dale, Afula. Not Alfalfa.
Here is a large Fiat car Salesroom. Bob, aren’t you scheduled there tomorrow?
Nazareth, built in a very picturesque valley, is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
The population of Nazareth today is close to 55,000 people. 20,000 Jews and 35,000 Arabs. The majority of the Arabs are Christians.
There are lots of winding roads here thru the hillsides of Nazareth. Marie is still back there in the first curve.
The stone walls that you see coming into Nazareth are just beautiful.
The first time Nazareth was mentioned in the Gospels was when the Angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary. (Luke 1:26-38)
Mary’s well is here to the right. It was and still is, the only well in Nazareth. Today Nazareth gets it’s water piped in from outside the city.
In Nazareth there are 33 churches. Five of them are called the “church of Annunciation” and each one of them belong to a different christian denomination. The well is in the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation.
We went inside the church and sat down in the pews.
We walked up towards the front of the church to the alter, turned left and walked a few feet. One of the men on the bus, Rev ??, using a rope brought up a bucket of water, poured some in a cup and drank it.
I emptied a Sucaryl bottle and filled it with the water and here it is.
Several of the pictures on the walls had cafe type curtains draped across the top and ties back on the sides.
On the way to the bus I bought this bracelet for $1.00.
There is an excavation area going around the curve after leaving the church.
We cannot say like Nathaniel in Joshua 1:46 “could anything good come out of Nazareth.” We have to remember that Nazareth was unknown in the old testament.
In Luke 4:16-31 we also read that Jesus was not accepted by the people of Nazareth and therefore went into Capernaum.
St Joseph church in Nazareth.
Cana of Galilee
John 2:2-12 refers to this as a little valley.
Cana is about three miles north of Nazareth.
The church with the red dome is built on the wedding site.
We are in Tiberius.
This is the west shore – Sea of Galilee.
The first item of interest here were the many apartment buildings under construction.
Most of the homes here are finished in stucco.
Tiberius is well known for their hot springs with healing properties located about 1 ½ mile south of town.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch Time
We had our box lunch with us but we stopped at the Ginton Hotel to eat it. They had two dining rooms ready for us.
Buttered Roll, Cheese, 2 large slices of Beef, Salami sandwich, Hard Boiled Egg, Cake, Apple, Orange.
I bought a cup of coffee for 45 cents. One sip of that was enough. I also purchased a Coke for 25 cents.
1:30 p.m.
The buses are ready for boarding and we are on our way to the Sea of Galilee.
All the cities along the shore of the Sea of Galilee were cursed by Jesus, and destroyed. As a result, none of these exist today.
The Sea of Galilee is 14 miles long and 7 miles wide at the widest part.
The Sea of Galilee. We are ready to leave the bus and it is beginning to rain. We walked out on the pier and boarded a motorlaunch. All of us were down on the lower deck. There were plenty of windows so we could all look out upon the Sea.
I couldn’t stay down there, I just had to go up on the top deck. After all the Lord has done for us and we are afraid of a little rain. This is ridiculous.
As I stand here all alone on the top deck of this motorlaunch, cruising the Sea of Galilee, there is a feeling of closeness here that I will never forget. I can’t begin to describe it or even attempt to put it down on paper. I have no further doubts that this trip is Real and I am really here.
I can’t help but think of the words to the song “There are days I like to be all alone with Christ my Lord, I can tell him all my troubles alone.”
But today I have no troubles to tell him all alone. I have only joy and happiness to share with him, and I can rejoice and sing his praises because “I walked today where Jesus walked.”
As I look out over the water, the coastal areas and over towards Capernaum, I can’t help but sing one of my old favorites, “Showers of Blessings.”
Watching the rain drops falling all around me and splatter on the Sea. The song tells us,”Mercy drops round us are falling.”
But, to be blessed with showers and showered with blessings gives this song an even greater meaning. Also, watching the rain drops splatter around me.
There are a few more people up here now. The rain has almost stopped.
James called the fellows and they all came up on the top. Standing under umbrellas they sang what else but “The Strangers of Galilee.” They also sang “He Touched Me.” You could feel feel the touch of His hand on mine.
The rain has stopped now.
There were very few dry eyes as we left the boat.
On the way out I bought 2 pins made from sea shells from here. $1.00 each.
We are back on the bus now and passing several banana groves. As soon as the bananas start to form, colored plastic bags are tied to the stalks to keep the sun, rain and insects off.
One stalk of bananas grows on each tree.
We passed ruins of Magdala – Church of Mary Magdalene.
At the top of the hill from Capernaum about ½ mile is the Mt of Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-11) and Tabgha – Church of the Multiplication, where Jesus fed the 500.
Not accepting Him at one time, Capernaum was one of the cities cursed by Jesus. Capernaum was the center of Jesus Ministry later on.
We saw the ruins of a very beautiful Synagogue which dates back to the 2nd century. We also saw the ruins of St Peter’s house.
Jordan River
It is about dusk now and all 6 buses have stopped by the bank of River Jordan. The fellows didn’t stay too long, they had to leave for the concert.
Jerry Sinclair from ? is baptizing several people.
By now it is dark and the water is cold, The only light available is from flash lights and flash cubes.
We sang several songs including my favorite for baptism, “Shall We Gather At the River.”
Back on the buses and on our way to Tiberius.
Dinner at Ginton Hotel
Soup, Vegetable Tray, Turkey, Fried Potatoes (olive oil), peas, dessert? (Would you believe ½ peach, covered w/ chocolate syrup, topped w/ whipped cream), Hot Tea, Cake.
Time to leave for concert at Ein Gev Kibbutz.
I was watching it fill up just like South Bend. It was slow.
I started praying and by the time it was time to start, it started filling up. The majority of the audience was soldiers.
Concert
Medley – all groups
I Believe in Love
God Bless America
Hebrew Songs
MC
Opening speech by Emanuel
Downings
You Got a Friend
He Shows Love Beyond Compare
I’ve Got Confidence / Encore
Till the Storm Passes By
(What a blessing that song is. Christ must have passed many storms along the way.)
Jerry Sinclair
He Touched Me
Lord
Florida Boys
A Little Boy from the Carpenter Shop
Tears Are a Language
Hebrew – Jerusalem of Gold
Psalms of Victory (Blessed Jesus, My Jesus)
Blackwood Brothers Quartet
Try a Little Kindness
Keep On Holding On
LOVE
This Old House / 2 Encores
When the Saints Come Marching In / 2 Encores
Seth
Life that Shines About Us
Christ
Keep On Holding On
Thrasher Brothers
Put Your Hand
I Will Meet You in the Morning (What a Blessing)
I Am the Man (Not J.H.)
Joshua w/ Horns / Encore
All Groups
Glory Hallelujah
Concert over. We started out to buses. The soldiers were thrilled by our music. They carried Ken Turner out on their shoulders.
The soldiers we passed on the way from our seats to the buses all shook hands with us and talked to us.
On the way back, we picked up 2 soldiers and gave them a lift.
Back to Haifi, tendors waiting for us.
2:30 a.m.
Back on ship and refreshments waiting for us.
Cheese Sandwich, Beef Sandwich, Coffee, Tea.
Saturday, December 8, 1973
6:45 a.m.
Breakfast
Juice, Toast, Coffee
7:15 a.m.
Went through ship customs – purses & luggage for 2 day stay in Jerusalem.
Boarded Tendors for shore and buses. A lady on one of the buses lost a piece of luggage. Bus 1 & 2 was checked, luggage racks. We are all waiting for the next Tendor to come in. Still no luggage. The Tendor took her back to the ship to look for it.
8:45 a.m.
We finally left. Shore driving along coastal area of Mediterranean Sea.
You can see Mt Carmel to your left.
We are on the Tel Aviv – Haifi highway.
We just passed some small ruins from the Crusader Sea.
Today is the Sabbath here.
There is very little traffic.
There is no motor buses except intercity ones.
I just took a picture of Mediterranean Sea.
Passing more banana groves.
Here are sand deserts
We are at Caesarea, built by King Herod.
Dating back to the Romans and King Herod
Paul took a boat from here to Rome for trial after being imprisoned 2 years.
Here are the remains of the Hippodrome.
You can still see the chariot tracks.
There are orange groves here also.
Sign also giant size cactus.
The ruins of Caesarea cover 370 acres.
There is a big moat that surrounded the wall of the city. Above the moat is a drawbridge.
The gate house had a high fortress over it, being this was the only opening in the wall it was the weakest point.
As we entered this gatehouse area, there was traces of a stone dog house to your left.
Aquaduct
Caesaria was built on sand dunes without any natural water sources. The water was brought thru this aquaduct from springs at Mt. Carmel 6 miles away. The aquaduct was built on arches. The arches are so high that the people in the city could enjoy the luxury of running water in the 3rd floor of their houses already 2000 years ago. There are only 2 arches remaining now.
Roman Theater
Every big city had a amphitheater and this one is the largest in the country and the best preserved. This theater was covered by sand dunes and only discovered a few years ago.
This is where Paul testified before the King and the Governor. Acts :26
This is also where Peter baptized the first Gentile – Cornelius and all his household.
James stood in the center of the amphitheater and read – preached – from Acts :26.
We are on our way to Tel Aviv.
We are coming into the plain of Sharon, most fertile part of the coastal plain of Israel.
Here are some boys playing soccer.
Rose of Sharon and Lilies of the Field.
Sharon is closely settled today by Israeli farms.
These fields of vegetables have irrigation pipes.
We are now coming into Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv means “Hill of Spring.”
Population of 500,000.
Founded in 1909 on sand dunes north of Jaffa.
These are places we see in the distance.
Joseph sold by his brothers to caravan of Midianites
Valley of Dothan Richest in country
Samaria – Peter, John, Phillip preached & baptized here
Tomb of John the Baptist
Jacobs well – Jesus met Samaritan women/unfinished building of Greek Orthodox Church
Mt Ebal
Joshua built alter & renewed the covenant
Mt Gerizim
the Israelites recited the blessing of the law
Shechem
God appeared to Abraham – Abraham built alter unto God
Jacob bought parcel of land 100 pieces of money – Joseph buried here.
Here are more orange, tangerine, lemon and lime groves
Soccer field
Small town of Ptomaine
To your left you can see the cap of the plain of Sharon
Rose of Sharon and Lilies of the field
Eucalyptus trees
There are irrigation pipes in the fields here
We are now coming to Tel-Aviv.
Tel Aviv
Largest city in Israel
A plane just landed bringing soldiers home from the front for 24 hours.
There are a lot of hotels being built here. However the construction work halted until the fighting is over.
Joppo up ahead.
Jonah sailed from here to Tarshish
Dorcas raised from the dead by Peter
Peter had his vision here (Acts II)
Home of Simon the Tanner
Headed for Jerusalem
Large barrels on the rooftops with mirrors beside them to heat water by the sun.
It takes only 20 minutes to heat enough water for 24 hour supply.
Valley of Ayalon
Pear Cactus or Sabia Cactus They bear fruit, which you peel and eat. Joshua 10:12-13 “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
Passing remains of burnt trucks and tanks only
Dating back to Syrians /Egyptions from wars .
Passing Lod International Airport
Kiriath Jearim – Ark of Covenant rested here 20 years
Going to Jerusalem just like John
There is all kinds of vineyards on both sides of the road
Gaza to the left – given to one of the Pharaoh's wives
Plain of Zorah
Birthplace of Samson
Samson also met Delilah here
Zarah
We stopped at Sampson’s Inn for Cokes, wash our hands and use the rest area. We had a box lunch on the bus. This was the dirtiest, worst place I have ever seen. To make it worse, it was raining fast. The rest areas haven’t been cleaned for months. No soap or towels except in wastebaskets and all over the floor. Washbowls were black & as long as you held your nose shut you could make it out the door if you didn’t waste any time and broke all speed records. The store had a few stools. Everything there including the help was dirty and the only way to describe the whole place was to call it a slum area.
We did purchase bottles of Coke, warm, and even wiped those off with a Kleenex. We didn’t even ask for ice here. Apparently James has been thru here before. He suggested opening a barber shop next door and calling it Delilah’s Clip Joint. Someone asked Jimmy how he was enjoying the trip this far. His comment was he wouldn’t mind staying 2 more weeks, but not with the same box lunch.
We are driving thru the Judean Hills. There are hillsides covered by all kinds of evergreen trees.
Every once in a while you can see an old and battered up armored car in a ditch that was used in 1948.
We are now ¾ kilometer from Jerusalem. James sang “When God Dips His Love In My Heart.”
We are now approaching the Golden city. James sang “The Holy City,” and “We’re Marching to Zion.” The hills of Jerusalem are upon us.
It’s oh so breathtaking, I can’t describe. We sing about the beautiful city of God and the streets of gold – Well, this truly must be the city of God here on earth.
We are on our way to Bethlehem.
Bethlehem – approximately 95% of the population of Bethlehem are Christians, due to the fact that this town is so holy to them.
Shepherd walking down the road with his flock.
Bethlehem had many beautiful events happening.
David was born here.
Jesus was born here 1000 years later.
The 3 wise men were led here by a star.
Beth means House of Bread.
Old testament Beth is EPNRATH means fertility.
Church of the Nativity – Exterior - One of the 3 most ancient churches in the country. Constantine the Great had the church built in the beginning of the 4th century.
Church of the Nativity – Interior -
Manger
Entrance
Grotto of the Nativity
STAR OF BETHLEHEM
I touched the silver star on the floor at the site where Jesus was born
Shepherds Fields
Eastern Side of Bethlehem
There are many caves in the fields where shepherds took refuge from the rain, and also to keep their sheep for the night. Sheep field surrounded by wall and contains olive trees.
Also the place where the Romance between Ruth and Boaz began. Ruth - 1st 4 chapters
Qumran - settlement for Esseans
Famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found here
Qumran was discovered in 1947, 111 ft long x 90 ft wide
Excavating was done from 1949 – 1956
Caves of Qumran
1947 a Bedouin shepherd boy lost one of his sheep and in looking for her threw stones into caves thinking the sheep may be in one of the caves. In doing so, he heard a peculiar sound in one of the caves.
The next day he returned with his big brother and that is when the scrolls were found.
The book of Isiah was found in cave #4. So far, fragments of over 300 scroll were found.
Dead Sea Scrolls
Most of the scrolls were written on sheep skin
Some of the scroll were written on papyrus
Some of the scroll were written on copper
The scrolls are now on exhibit in a museum in Jerusalem
There are some Israeli soldiers up on a hillside. They came down to us and also listened to what Theo had to say.
On the way back to the bus we stopped for a Coke at a Gift Shop.
Some of the fellows had some Turkish coffee. I bought something – can’t remember what.
We are back in Jerusalem and are scheduled to stay at the St George Hotel.
3 of the buses stayed there.
The 3 buses for the Blackwood Brothers Quartet came over to the Shalom Hotel and registered there.
I had room # 304.
7 p.m.
Dinner being served in the dining room.
We were invited to attend an Israeli Folklore program. Instead I unpacked, went to the lounge area, met Lucille, visited the drug store and the gift shop.
Bought a Coke and went to bed.
Looked out large picture window for a long time.
Sunday, December 9, 1973
6:00 a.m.
Good Morning. It is 6:00. I do hope you had a good nights sleep.
6:30 a.m.
Breakfast being served in the dining room. I had orange juice and coffee.
7:30 a.m.
We are leaving for old Jerusalem. Passing Cyprus trees, Fir trees.
There are plenty of rocks left for David.
Today is Sunday, our Sabbath
Saturday is the Jews Sabbath
Friday is the Muslims Sabbath
There is a beautiful Hilton Hotel to the right.
The concert hall Binyenei HaUma Convention Center
Where we will be tonight
We sang while driving thru Jerusalem
In the Garden
The Old Rugged Cross
There are children waking to school. Each one carries a black school bag similar to our soft leather briefcases.
There are people waiting for buses to take them to work. It seems odd to see children on their way to school and adults on their way to work on our Sabbath.
Some men are wearing prayer caps.
We are passing the Jerusalem Shoe Factory.
Jerusalem Post Newspaper
Car wash
Arab worships Ishmael ?
Jew worships Isaac ?
Christian worships Christ ?
Driving to the top of the Mt of Olives east of old Jerusalem. The Church of All Nations, also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony, is located on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest.
Site of the Ascension Acts 1:9-12
The largest Jewish Cemetery in the world is located here at the Mt of Olives
To the south is the “Mt of Scandal” Named for the many pagan temples built here by King Solomon for his pagan wives.
To the right is the Eastern Gate. The Gate will reopen on Resurrection Day. This gate is also known as the Golden Gar or the Beautiful Gate – Christ will make his triumphal entry thru this gate.
Here is the church of Peter – or crowing of the Rooster.
Mt Jehoshaphat – view – also known as the Kidron Valley
Tomb of Absalom
Family of Hezir
Tomb of Zachariah
Garden of Gethsemane
Churches there now – Church of all Nations
Bells tolling while we were there
Beautiful Garden of Prayer
I purchased 3 sets of camels $1.00 each
We were again circling the Mt of Olives on our way to Bethany.
Here is a Jerusalem cigarette Company
Bethany is only a few miles East of Jerusalem (Houses of Poverty)
We are at the church of Lazarus
Took pictures of local children on the walk up the narrow street leading to Lazrus tomb.
On the way up the street there was a lady in a yard washing clothes. There were several small children there with her. There were also some sheep penned in an enclosure. We waved to her.
We are entering the door to Lazarus Tomb. We went down a long narrow winding stone stairway to the tomb area. 22 steps down.
There was a small souvenir shop across the roadway from the tomb.
I got some postcards.
On the way down the street the same lady was in the yard and she motioned for us to come in and see her house. She told us 9 people lived in one room and that is hard to believe. About 4 of us went in. The house was spotless and she was right.
She showed us 2 beds, a doorway with a curtain where the bedding for the floor was kept. Under 1 bed there were all their clothing in 1 suitcase. In a kitchen cabinet there were cooking utensils, dishes, groceries, etc.
She pulled out a one burner stove and this is where she cooked. The table and chairs are the only other furniture I can recall even seeing. I told her my name and she told me hers. She also kissed me on the cheek when we left and shook hands.
We are on our way to old Jerusalem.
We are passing the Garden of Gethsemane on the left. There are Palm Trees all along the roads.
Palms of Victory
Driving thru Kidron Valley
There are Volcanic Racks along the walls of Jerusalem.
We walked along the western wall and went in the Gate Jaffa.
We had to go thru customs.
We went over to the wailing wall – Bells are tolling.
People come here everyday to pray. Soldiers with guns were walking by. The ladies had to go on one side (right side), and the men on the left side. The men went inside a building. There was a booth on the both sides with a man and/or woman to give you a head covering.
We went over to the Temple Mount.
Customs again.
Many of these people think that Ark of the Covenant is here. This is the site of Kink Solomon’s Temple where 12 year old Jesus came and also where the money changers were when Jesus threw them out.
Here is the Dome of the Rock.
Rock inside – Alter of Sacrifice.
Channels inside for blood to flow thru.
View of Kidron Valley
The Muslims purify themselves before prayer at a circular fountain.
We went inside and had to take our shoes off. Guard at door.
That rock inside is enormous.
The interior of the building is marble in mosaic pattern.
This is the spot where Abraham offered Isaac his son as a living sacrifice.
Other great leaders worshiped here, i.e. Elijah – David – Solomon – Abraham – Mohammad
Remains of Fortress Antonio
Church of Holy Sepulcher
Herod’s Gate
Jaffe Gate
David Citadel
Damascus Gate
All went over to the site of Pilots hall where Jesus was condemned to death.
Where Jesus took up the cross.
Went inside the Chapel of flagellation.
Saw the actual stone pavement that Christ walked on carrying the cross. I also walked on those very same stones and also knelt down and touched them. Site of sentence.
Pool of Bethesda
There were 7 arches built over the pool to support the church.
2 churches have built over the pool area.
We went inside another church. Queen Anne Church
It was the barest and most simple church we have ever seen.
Wild pepper tree here in the garden. I have a leaf from one of them.
We are going thru Mount Zion Gate.
Headed for the Upper Room – Mt Zion
We are at Mt Zion
Just passed a donkey – James said there goes Ken Tresnee
We are in the Upper Room. There are stairs outside to the 2nd floor.
James read from Matthew 26:17
James read from Acts 3rd chapter – sang prayer
Lunch
We are leaving Mt Zion and heading towards the Dead Sea.
There are no sidewalks in this little town. Little green patches for front lawns.
We are driving thru Wilderness of Judea.
So far we have seen no bicycles or cycles. There are cattle grazing here along the Jerico Road.
There are some soldiers camped by those tents.
We are now at Sea Level.
Here is Bethabara
Jesus baptized here by John the Baptist.
Passed Mt of Jerico
Here we are at the Dead Sea
According to Theo the restaurant and the gift shop are new. You have to pay 25 cents now to get in the gate. There are bath houses all along the walk and now we are walking down to the Sea. From the buildings to the Sea is about 1 block.
The Dead Sea is about 1300 feet below sea level and it is the lowest point on Earth.
Sodom and Gomorrah perished under the southern part of the Dead Sea.
Copy part of slide 30
I touched the water, picked up some rocks and stopped for Coke and Gift Shop.
Dead Sea Scrolls 1.50
Shrine of Blood & Knesseth
We headed back to Jerusalem and stopped at the museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. They were closed.
New Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center
We went back to the hotel
Dressed formal for dinner
Proceeded to Dining Room
The buses picked us up and took us to Binyal-Hacuma (Binyenei HaUma) Convention Hall.
Monday, December 10, 1973
Good Morning. It is now 4:45. Hope you slept well.
Please be in the lobby by 5:15.
The bus picked us up and took us to Mt Calvary. About 30 of us went. It was quite a walk from the gate up thru a long winding path thru the Moslem Cemetery. The path was rough and stony and daylight has just begun. The birds had not begun to sing yet, there was no wind, no leaves stirring, only the sound of stones and pebbles being trod upon up that long lonely hill.
I think every head was bowed all along the way and I believe they all had the same thoughts I had. However the Lord must have felt and how he suffered as he walked up Calvary’s Hill for you and for me.
We had Sunrise Services here and the fellows sang, “I’ve Been to Calvary.” The serenity here is indescribable. From the top of Calvary’s Hill you can look out over the city. The sun is just beginning to rise, the city just waking up, and we are up here all alone with Christ our Lord.
There are no 3 crosses up here to look at, but then, God’s not dead. He is Risen and you can feel his presence all around you.
We are leaving here now and the walk down the hill is easier, but the atmosphere remains the same. I picked up a rock on the way down. I would like a branch or leaves or twig, stem, anything green, but I felt it was all too sacred and why attempt to mar the beauty of it all.
While we were passing thru the iron gates I said Good Bye to the guard and thanked him so very much.
Lord, keep your precious hand upon that guard.
The bus was not out front waiting for us they had to go somewhere else. It was a little uneasy standing there in a group like that, so we kind of scattered about a little. A peddler came by with cakes. I bought one for 50 cents. He was carrying the basket on his head. James is going to learn that trick. After he masters it, I will learn to do it.
Another peddler came by with necklaces and I bought some.
I also bought 3 Jerusalem post newspapers for 45 cents each.
A taxi came by and Ken put me in the front and several people in the back, and we went back to the hotel. Several more taxis were dispatched for the rest of the group. There are no radios in the cabs there. We stopped by the cab stand.
We went upstairs, picked up our luggage, placed it outside the door, and came down to the dining room for breakfast.
Orange juice and lots of coffee
Checked out of the hotel and boarded the bus.
We have returned to the tomb today. There is a Dutch Minister here this morning. He is very good. I purchased 50 post cards about the tomb. All the quartets sang this A.M. by the entrance to the tomb.
We are leaving Jerusalem and passing site of birthplace of Simon Peter.
James sang “The Holy City” as we left the city of Jerusalem and took our last look upon this golden city.
American cars here sell for $12,000
Black & White TV Sets sell for $700-$800
We just pulled up at this Olive Wood Factory here in Parcless-Hanna.
There is a girls school of some sort across the street where we parked. They are dressed in a 2 piece blouse-pinafore type dress and I believe it might be an ?. They do not speak English or else they are extremely shy.
We are inside the factory and watching the men a work. These men are very talented. They have a man here who does all the sculpture work by hand. He does the most beautiful work I have ever seen.
The have 2 display areas here. The first one has paintings, statues, metal sculptures, etc.
The second room is L shaped with tables, shelves and some bin type shelves or counters.
Salad Bowls Beads
Mosaic Jewelry Boxes Ear Rings
Mosaic Table Tops Belts
Cutting Boards Necklaces
Wailing Wall Crosses
Pictures Napkin Rings
Frames Table Legs
Oil Painting on Wood Vases
Cast Aluminum Sculptures Camels
Sculptured Figurines Bibles
Manger Scenes Stationery Chests
Salt & Pepper Candle holders
Note Boxes Candelabras
And lots more items
3 Bud Vases 1.50 ea
2 Bud Vases 1.50 ea
Belt
Necklace
3 pr Beads
3 pr Ear Rings 1.25 ea
1 pr Ear Rings 1.50
1 pr Ear Rings .40
1 pr Salt & Pepper
Moses 4.00
Women at Well 4.50
Water Jug 1.00
We are going thru an Arabic Village. The houses are stucco and all of them have colored shutters and trim. Either a pastel pink, blue or green. They are very attractive.
Here are more fields with plastic over the crops. This field has an irrigation system set up for their vegetables.
Banana groves with poles or stakes in a tripod fashion like we do to some tomatoes.
We have arrived in Haifa and driving thru the city.
They have lots of Curiosity Shops, Flower Shops and Stands on corners. It was very hard to find a Stationery store or office supply store. We passed only or two during the whole trip. This would be an excellent place to open up an outlet.
We are on the crest of a hill and we stopped to take pictures of the Haifa dock area.
We are at the Diamond factory now. I think I’ll have one of each. What beautiful things they have here. I bought a gold cross.
We are at the port area and boarding the tendors and back to the ship. We are tired and glad to be back.
4:30 p.m.
Lunch Time
Tuesday, December 11, 1973
6:30 a.m.
Breakfast time
Orange juice, Toast, Coffee
7:00
We docked at Famagusta, Cypress.
7:15 a.m.
All luggage is placed outside cabin doors and properly tagged for return trip to Nashville.
7:45 a.m.
We said goodbye to the ship personnel, got autographs and boarded the buses. We are driving down Salamis Avenue in Cypress and on the wrong side of the road.
School on Salamis Avenue.
Orange groves
Trees – cypress, pine, mimosa
Willie – build it up, not tear it down. You will never get your license that way.
Salamis – 4 miles north of Fam.
- Sandy locality
We first entered the gates of this old city
Gymnasium
Turks founded this 1184 B.C.
Richest kingdom in Israel
Rebuilt by Romans 58 B.C.
Corinthian style columns
Imported Marble
Mosaic floors
Swimming pools on each side of gym area.
Heads are off the statues due to earthquakes.
Remaining heads were cut off all so not to look like idols.
Cold Bath
Hot Bath
Cold Bath
Hot Bath
Fountain for Home Use
Hot Bathroom – Marble floors and steps. Similar to a Turkish bath.
Fresko – above doorway – copy only – the original in museum.
Roman toilets or lavatorys were open air type
Gents toilet
James next album cover
Paul Downing heard me and verified that part.
There were no ladies ever allowed to come thru the Gym gates.
Jerry Sinclair
Byzantine bed room
Zeus – Greek mythology above arch – Apollo
We are leaving Salamis
More of St Barnabas
7 monks living here presently.
3 of these monks are brothers and have lived here since 1917.
Here is one of the brothers at work painting ions
There are large murals, paintings, of Paul and Barnabas on the wall of the 1st room as you enter the door.
Right inside the door in the foyer there was a frosted white candle burning on a round table. The candle was 4 foot high and 2 ½ inches in diameter.
Another monk was polishing brass candle holders about 4 foot tall and several of the women would like to have him at their homes. He was using a pink type cleaner but I couldn’t read the name.
We entered the Gardens -
Olive Trees
Fig Trees
Date Trees
Cypress Trees
Lime Trees
Eucalyptus Trees
Mimosa Trees
We stopped for cakes
Brass Vase
2 Hunting Knives
Book
Tomb of Barnabas
Front of Church
Soldiers camped on the road
Coke
Cross $2.00
Spoon $1.50
Back on bus and headed for Nicosia
All Air Line tickets are turned in to our guide
Cypress is a prosperous land
3rd largest Island in Mediterranean
Friuts & Crops of every kind
All kinds of Perfumes
Wheat
Olive Oil
Sugar Cane
Cotton
Pahos Silk
Cypress manna – resin from citrus leaves for drugs
Tobacco
Hemp
Flax
Gas is 1.00 per gallon here
National Guard
Boys over 18 serve 2 years
No Heavy Industries
Export: Fruit
Fruit Juice
Shoes
Clothing
Underwear
New Customer
Our new store being erected
Buildings being built from Top to bottom
Nicosia
Population 110,000
Ledra – old name
Old City occupied by 6,000 Turks
Park on sidewalks
Passing Archbishopry
Cathedral to St John
3 Gates
Wall to City 50 feet high
St Nicolas Cathedral
St Sophia Cathedral
12:30 p.m.
We arrived at Airport
Went thru customs, picked up our passports by using our tag number.
We have 1 hour to get Cakes, Soda, and whatever – slides, spoon
1:30 p.m.
We left Nicosia Airport on a Saturn DC8
Altitude 29,000 feet
Flying over Iceland
Highlights of trip
Binyal Concert
Jerusalem Concert
Mt Calvary
Tomb
Sea of Galilee
The Blackwood Brothers are touring Europe - May 20 16 days
Hawaii - Dec 9
Holy Land - Jan 27
Write for Blackwood Brothers newsletter on dates, etc.
2:15 p.m.
Lunch is ready
Salad
Chicken
Rolls
Potatoes
Pie
Coffee
Seat on plane – Round Trip
Row 2, Seat 3 with window
4:20 p.m.
Flying over Yugoslavia
4:30 p.m.
Flying over Austrian Alps
4:45 p.m.
Flying over Munich, Germany
5:00 p.m.
Arrived at Shannon, Ireland
We have 1 hour here. Make the most of it.
Sweater $35.00
2 Toys
2 Leugan spades $1.90 ea
Slides
2 Figurines $1.25 ea
2 Leprechaun dolls $1.50 ea
Shamrock Necklace $3.75
2 Spoons $2.00 ea
6 Post Cards $.50 ea
Rosary $2.00
Pipe rack $3.25
6:00 p.m.
Boarded Plane
There was an argument over an extra passenger.
After hassling with the stewardess & Captain verses James, Jimmy, Polly, Rev Wysong & World International Manager.
6:30 p.m.
We left here without passenger.
Ken Turner became ill. I asked Margaret from Iowa to go back. She stayed for a little while. She said he would be OK. There are 2 other RN with Ken.
7:00 p.m.
Dinner is served.
Salad
Beef Tips
Potatoes
Roll
Pie
Coffee
We will be stopping at Bangor, Maine for International Customs.
This is my first time for this.
All the luggage had to come in from the plane. You had to show your passport, receive a cart for your luggage, and find your luggage and go thru lane. They had about 6 inspectors and it took a long time. But there were 250 of us. After I was checked thru it cost me $4.70 for the $197.00 I declared. That was Okay.
I had enough time to get a Coke, ring (turquoise), spoon, & miniature vase for my Amish collection.
It won’t be too long now we will be landing in Nashville.
5:45 a.m. Israel Time. We are nearing Nashville.
6:00 a.m. Israel Time
We have just landed in Nashville. 16 ½ hours flying time.
Stayed at the Airport all night.
Wednesday, December 13, 1973
7:05 a.m. Nashville Time
Left on Delta Flight #
I sat with Lucille from Nashville to Chicago.
12 from the trip are on this flight.
Breakfast time.
Ham
Scrambled Eggs
Hot Rolls
Orange & Grapefruit Sections
Coffee
It feels strange flying towards home. I wish I had just boarded Saturn instead of Delta.
Arrived at O’Hare.
Said Goodbye to all.
Picked up baggage claim for damage transferred luggage.
Booked Flight on No. Central @ 9:410 flt.
Met Mrs ___ from church.
She is interested in Blackwood Brothers. Can’t locate any records in Chicago area. Her uncle used to sing with Blackwood Brothers many years ago.
A blind man with a dog is on the flight from Chicago to South Bend.
Fare to South Bend $18.64
Flying Altitude 7,000
Flying time is 20 minutes
South Bend 26 degrees
I lost my name tag somewhere between Chicago & Mothers.
I called Mother from the South Bend Airport.
I also called
Mother came after me and I went home with her,
I took everything in the house and showed Mother & Dad everything I brought home.
It was late in the afternoon when I came home. I called the store and told them I will be in tomorrow.
I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.
44331
Rex Humbard
Mt Calvary
Bookmark Bethlehem
Just As I Am
Kneel at the Cross
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