At Leonardo de Vince Airport in Rome we waited for hours before boarding for Athens. To while away the hour I prayed the Rosary, read Fr. Villote’s “The Clown Among Us” and gave way to some jokes to some members of the group who were greatly awakened.
We left Rome at 9:35 a.m. (4:40 p.m. Phil) and arrived Athens at 10:30 p.m. Athens airport was old and very ordinary. It smelled like NAIA way back home. We were picked up by a very modern bus and were brought directly to “Hotel Grande Betagne”. The street on the way to the hotel was not different from Aguinaldo Highway that I always traversed in going to Alfonso, Cavite. It was far behind the standard of modernity.
We were briefed about pickpockets, snatchers and all kinds of thieves roaming around waiting for victims. There were handwritings on the walls and the plants on the street islands were not cared for. Considering that this was the capital of Greece, I was not at all impressed; In fact I was even disappointed.
Greece reminded me of Greeks, of course, especially Aristotle Onnasis. All the persons that I saw were parrot-nosed and the women’s boobs were relatively enlarged, many were dangling.
We were billeted at Room 722, the window of which had direct view of the House of Parliament to the right and a Monastery at the top of the mountain on the left side.
There were a few sign boards in English but most of them were very “Greek to me”. Along the way I saw several “tramvias”, the buses run by electricity. If not for the excavations, traffic would have been very much smoother than in Manila.
Free dinner was at a restaurant far from the hotel. We were offered bread; “sinangag” (with green peas and corn) accompanied by vegetable salad, fried chicken with sliced potatoes. Dessert was fresh watermelon. A big bottle of mineral water cost $2.00 equivalent to 400 drachma.
I kidded the Alabang ladies how they used to snob the Food Island at Alabang Town Center just to settle at a less sophisticated eatery during a tour.
So, Athens was also a busy metropolis. Before dinner, Terry and I went around the hotel. We visited one souvenir shop while somewhere around we sighted several roadside Coffee Shops.
Hotel Grande Betagne was an old hotel. It was known as the “Royal Box of Athens” because it was the place where royalties were usually accommodated. It was also there where I got my leg’s allergic rashes. Our room had no refrigerator but provided with a television set.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
THE DEAD SEA
The following day after checking out from the Renaissance Hotel we went to the place of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha at Bethany.. We entered the 31-step narrow path going to the tomb of Lazarus. Heard mass at the Church.
We proceeded to Jericho passing the ancient road where the story of the Good Samaritan occurred but we had to turn back as the road was closed by the army. We passed the new and more modern highway. During this travel we were exposed to miles and miles of desert stones on both sides of the highway. This is the wilderness.
We stopped to see the Monastery of the Orthodox Greek in the middle of the desert . We arrived Jericho, which was then occupied by the Palestine . We were shown an ancient sycamore tree in a corner of one intersection. Then we proceeded to the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. At the top of the mountain was a monastery of Orthodox priests also known as Quarantana or Carandal (40 days) in memory of Jesus’ forty days of fasting in that place during His time.
We had lunch at the Temptation Restaurant then we proceeded to the Dead Sea where somewhere around existed before there cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The dead sea was 400 meters below sea level, the lowest point on earth. It was part of the Afro-Syrian Rift Valley. Our ancient fathers first discovered the wondrous capabilities of the sea and the region. The sea is 16 –km wide, 340 meters deep. There is no life in the Dead Sea due to high density of salt and minerals. These same minerals have brought life out side the water and served the natural raw materials for industry, agriculture, science and medicine.
We were billeted at Nirvana Hotel. From the balcony of our hotel room I could see the amazing panorama of the whole surrounding.
We proceeded to Jericho passing the ancient road where the story of the Good Samaritan occurred but we had to turn back as the road was closed by the army. We passed the new and more modern highway. During this travel we were exposed to miles and miles of desert stones on both sides of the highway. This is the wilderness.
We stopped to see the Monastery of the Orthodox Greek in the middle of the desert . We arrived Jericho, which was then occupied by the Palestine . We were shown an ancient sycamore tree in a corner of one intersection. Then we proceeded to the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. At the top of the mountain was a monastery of Orthodox priests also known as Quarantana or Carandal (40 days) in memory of Jesus’ forty days of fasting in that place during His time.
We had lunch at the Temptation Restaurant then we proceeded to the Dead Sea where somewhere around existed before there cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The dead sea was 400 meters below sea level, the lowest point on earth. It was part of the Afro-Syrian Rift Valley. Our ancient fathers first discovered the wondrous capabilities of the sea and the region. The sea is 16 –km wide, 340 meters deep. There is no life in the Dead Sea due to high density of salt and minerals. These same minerals have brought life out side the water and served the natural raw materials for industry, agriculture, science and medicine.
We were billeted at Nirvana Hotel. From the balcony of our hotel room I could see the amazing panorama of the whole surrounding.
VIA DOLOROSA
We entered the old city of Jerusalem through St. Stephen’s also known as the Lion’s Gate. It was rebuilt in the 16th century as entrance to St Stephen’s Monastery. We were briefed about the pools of Bethesda then entered the Basilica of St Anne, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of the Virgin Mary. We followed the Via Dolorosa towards Golgotha. I carried the cross thrice: third, sixth and eleventh stations. The place was then a very busy marketplace of souvenir items
At the Church of the Holy Sepulcher we attended mass then I knelt in front of the marble slab where Jesus Christ was supposedly prepared for burial. We entered the tomb. During the walk I could feel that it was happening again and I was there.
We took a good Chinese lunch then we motored to Mt. Zion and visited the Coenaculum, the room of the Last Supper and the Pentecost.
Finally we visited the Dominon Abbey, traditionally believed to be the place where the Blessed Mary “fell asleep” and was assumed into heaven.
After dinner we attended a Cultural Show. The Tzabarem Foklore Ensemble. It was performed by the youth but wasn’t very impressive.
At the Church of the Holy Sepulcher we attended mass then I knelt in front of the marble slab where Jesus Christ was supposedly prepared for burial. We entered the tomb. During the walk I could feel that it was happening again and I was there.
We took a good Chinese lunch then we motored to Mt. Zion and visited the Coenaculum, the room of the Last Supper and the Pentecost.
Finally we visited the Dominon Abbey, traditionally believed to be the place where the Blessed Mary “fell asleep” and was assumed into heaven.
After dinner we attended a Cultural Show. The Tzabarem Foklore Ensemble. It was performed by the youth but wasn’t very impressive.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
CHURCHES AND LANDMARKS
We visited the Church of all Nations where “the Agony in the Garden” of Getsemane occurred 2,000 years ago. A more than 2000-year old olive tree still exists in the garden.
Then we climbed the Mount of Olives where we were shown many important landmarks of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Nearby was the chapel of the Ascension where the actual spot where Jesus stood before ascending to heaven still existed with His foot print.
We also visit ed the Pater Noster Church where Jesus taught His apostles how to pray and where they discussed the secrets of the universe. We were shown too the Dominus Flevit which marks the spot where the Lord wept for Jerusalem. Then shown to us was the place where Peter denied Jesus three times.
After lunch we where brought to a souvenir shop where suddenly the spirit of the pilgrimage was somehow diminished by business and materialism. This was in Bethlehem.
We proceeded to the Basilica of the Nativity. Nearby was the cave where Jesus Christ was born and not far away was the Shepherds’ Field where the angels appeared to the shepherds to herald the Birth of Jesus.
Before lunch we prayed at the Wailing Wall where Jews, Christians and the Ultra Orthodox Jews meet. I inserted a written wish on the crevice of the ancient wall.
Our guide, Ronnen taught us a lot about Ultra Orthodox Jews. They allow their beard and sideburns to grow. Even children are seen with very long sideburns. They all wear a hat or a cap. Tassels are also seen flowing from both sides of their suits and everything is based on some biblical texts. Come Sabbath Day, they don’t do anything but pray. They are not allowed to manipulate any mechanical device or anything that needs work no matter how little.
They ride only on automatic elevators usually hanged with a caution “Sabbath Elevator “. Even cameras are not allowed to be used or manipulated. Light switches at
home are automatic. Very weird, indeed.
There were so many Ultra Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem and one wonders if they are really weird or are they the ones doing the right thing?
You’ll see them in group or alone or with the family but anywhere and anyway you see t hem they all look very happy as if always going to a formal party, all wearing black and white. They don’t allow themselves to be photographed so I had myself photographed in front of them and t hey were pictures “accidentally”.
Then we climbed the Mount of Olives where we were shown many important landmarks of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Nearby was the chapel of the Ascension where the actual spot where Jesus stood before ascending to heaven still existed with His foot print.
We also visit ed the Pater Noster Church where Jesus taught His apostles how to pray and where they discussed the secrets of the universe. We were shown too the Dominus Flevit which marks the spot where the Lord wept for Jerusalem. Then shown to us was the place where Peter denied Jesus three times.
After lunch we where brought to a souvenir shop where suddenly the spirit of the pilgrimage was somehow diminished by business and materialism. This was in Bethlehem.
We proceeded to the Basilica of the Nativity. Nearby was the cave where Jesus Christ was born and not far away was the Shepherds’ Field where the angels appeared to the shepherds to herald the Birth of Jesus.
Before lunch we prayed at the Wailing Wall where Jews, Christians and the Ultra Orthodox Jews meet. I inserted a written wish on the crevice of the ancient wall.
Our guide, Ronnen taught us a lot about Ultra Orthodox Jews. They allow their beard and sideburns to grow. Even children are seen with very long sideburns. They all wear a hat or a cap. Tassels are also seen flowing from both sides of their suits and everything is based on some biblical texts. Come Sabbath Day, they don’t do anything but pray. They are not allowed to manipulate any mechanical device or anything that needs work no matter how little.
They ride only on automatic elevators usually hanged with a caution “Sabbath Elevator “. Even cameras are not allowed to be used or manipulated. Light switches at
home are automatic. Very weird, indeed.
There were so many Ultra Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem and one wonders if they are really weird or are they the ones doing the right thing?
You’ll see them in group or alone or with the family but anywhere and anyway you see t hem they all look very happy as if always going to a formal party, all wearing black and white. They don’t allow themselves to be photographed so I had myself photographed in front of them and t hey were pictures “accidentally”.
THE HOLYLAND
We woke up at 1:45 a.m. even if the night before we slept late because we packed our thing. We had tea at quarter to three then left for the airport at exactly 3:00 a.m. It was a different experience. Security in Israel was very tight that airplane passengers were thoroughly interviewed about every little details in relation to their travels.
There were many other pilgrims from different countries. We left the airport at 6:05 a .m., arrived at Tel Aviv Airport a little past seven in the morning. We were met by our guide and immediately brought to the Nancy S & Lawrence E. Glick Observation Plaza, the highest point in Jerusalem were we were shown the bird’s eye view of the old walled Jerusalem.
Then we were shown the Children’s Memorial of the Holocaust during World War II. From there we proceeded to the Museum of the Holocaust.
For lunch we were brought to a little busy restaurant at the place where St. John the Baptist lived during his time. After lunch we were billeted at the Renaissance Hotel at # 6 Wolfron St., Jerusalem. Jerusalem was a very different kind of vibration. Even up in the sky while still inside the airplane, when I saw Jerusalem down I already felt as if Jesus was just walking a round.
A mass was said by two priests accompanying us during the tour. I also met some Nigerians at the elevator and my wife saw and experience by herself that by just singing a Nigerian song I was able to enjoin them to sing with me.
There were many other pilgrims from different countries. We left the airport at 6:05 a .m., arrived at Tel Aviv Airport a little past seven in the morning. We were met by our guide and immediately brought to the Nancy S & Lawrence E. Glick Observation Plaza, the highest point in Jerusalem were we were shown the bird’s eye view of the old walled Jerusalem.
Then we were shown the Children’s Memorial of the Holocaust during World War II. From there we proceeded to the Museum of the Holocaust.
For lunch we were brought to a little busy restaurant at the place where St. John the Baptist lived during his time. After lunch we were billeted at the Renaissance Hotel at # 6 Wolfron St., Jerusalem. Jerusalem was a very different kind of vibration. Even up in the sky while still inside the airplane, when I saw Jerusalem down I already felt as if Jesus was just walking a round.
A mass was said by two priests accompanying us during the tour. I also met some Nigerians at the elevator and my wife saw and experience by herself that by just singing a Nigerian song I was able to enjoin them to sing with me.
A DREAM COME TRUE
I was just a high school boy when I first thought of having a “Trip to Jerusalem”. I couldn’t imagine how I would feel to be personally experiencing the places that are directly connected to Jesus Christ in one way or another. But all I experienced was the chance to join a musical chair game popularly called “Trip to Jerusalem”.
I d stop dreaming. Someday, I said to myself, my wish would be granted in the same manner that my wish to see Paris and Rome were grant ed in 1978 when I went to Nigeria as Cont r act Worker.
I got an abnormal route on my way to Nigeria that necessitated two-day stay in Paris. Then on my way home after six months I was stranded for two days in Rome due to air craft problem.
So I kept on wishing that Id’ also have a chance to visit the Holy Land.
Finally in October, 1995 I got the extreme excitement in my life when my wife and I joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We visited four countries, namely, Greece, Israel, Turkey and Italy. The itinerary was just as I wished it. At long last, I had the chance of a lifetime to follow the footsteps of Jesus where it actually happened two thousand years ago.
I d stop dreaming. Someday, I said to myself, my wish would be granted in the same manner that my wish to see Paris and Rome were grant ed in 1978 when I went to Nigeria as Cont r act Worker.
I got an abnormal route on my way to Nigeria that necessitated two-day stay in Paris. Then on my way home after six months I was stranded for two days in Rome due to air craft problem.
So I kept on wishing that Id’ also have a chance to visit the Holy Land.
Finally in October, 1995 I got the extreme excitement in my life when my wife and I joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We visited four countries, namely, Greece, Israel, Turkey and Italy. The itinerary was just as I wished it. At long last, I had the chance of a lifetime to follow the footsteps of Jesus where it actually happened two thousand years ago.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Happy New Year
I know this is pretty late for a New Year's greeting but I just want to share this:
In twenty oh poor (2004) - poverty was widespread.
In twenty oh fight (2005) - Many wars erupted even in the countryside.
In twenty oh sick (2006) - Many diseases were discovered and many got sick.
In twenty oh saving (2007) - We all tried to save
Now twenty oh eat (2008) - We shall all eat. No one gets hungry, let us hope
In twenty oh poor (2004) - poverty was widespread.
In twenty oh fight (2005) - Many wars erupted even in the countryside.
In twenty oh sick (2006) - Many diseases were discovered and many got sick.
In twenty oh saving (2007) - We all tried to save
Now twenty oh eat (2008) - We shall all eat. No one gets hungry, let us hope
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