Sunday morning we packed up to leave Pilgerhaus and wind our way back to Jerusalem. On our way we stopped at Mt. Tabor, the site where tradition according to Eusebius holds that Jesus' transfiguration took place. As Nassir our guide said, some say that the Transfiguration took place on Mt. Hermon. I agree with Dean Patrick's wise observation: "holy places move." Certainly seems that way! While visiting Tabor, I had flashbacks to Montenegro and the winding bus ride up the mountain - it was the same here.
The view from the top was fantastic of course.
My rainbow that showed up in my picture at the mountain monastery in Montenegro showed up again here at the church atop Tabor...
The outdoor chapel where we had Sunday eucharist:
And just as Jesus left this mountain after his transfiguration and headed to Jerusalem, so we did likewise. We drove through the Jordan River Valley, stopped in Jericho for lunch (oppressively hot!) and saw the Mountain of Temptation from a distance. And for full effect of desert sun and heat, we stopped in the middle of the desert at a place with fantastic views, down to the Dead Sea when looking to the right, and up to the Mount of Olives when looking to the left. These photos just don't capture the eery beauty of the desert. I am certainly in awe of the faith of the desert fathers and mothers who lived in solitude in this kind of place...
A break at a watering hole - colorful flowers and a coca cola!
After a much needed nap and dinner back at the college, our little group walked down to see the wailing wall at night:
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