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Nazareth is a beautiful town. It's much busier than Tiberias.

We had lunch at an exotic restaurant. I had a lot of salad, fruits, and meat.

We visited a few more sites after lunch before returning to our rooms. One of the places we visited was a supermarket for the Pilgrims to buy stuff. Here, they sell wines, clothes, shoes, religious items, etc. For the wines, there are small cups offered to buyers to taste and decide if they'd want to buy. I got a cup, asked for a nonalcoholic brand. This is about the richest wine I've ever drunk. Felt like asking for more...but as I no plan to buy anything, I just leave am.

Things are expensive here. Saw backpacks; thought of getting 2 for my twin daughters...each is 24USD. Saw teddies, abut 15USD each.

When we returned to the hotel, I had quite a number of consultations. Most had complaints of body pains; one is a diabetic who needed his medications refilled. The other had fever, cough, catarrh; also said that he could not sleep last night. I spent another 30 minutes or more reviewing all these cases. After dispensing their medications, I proceeded for dinner.

I'm back in my room now, refreshed, and ready to sleep.

Tomorrow, I'll continue.

Random pics...

TONYE001:
Nazareth is a beautiful town. It's much busier than Tiberias.

We had lunch at an exotic restaurant. I had a lot of salad, fruits, and meat.

We visited a few more sites after lunch before returning to our rooms. One of the places we visited was a supermarket for the Pilgrims to buy stuff. Here, they sell wines, clothes, shoes, religious items, etc. For the wines, there are small cups offered to buyers to taste and decide if they'd want to buy. I got a cup, asked for a nonalcoholic brand. This is about the richest wine I've ever drunk. Felt like asking for more...but as I no plan to buy anything, I just leave am.

Things are expensive here. Saw backpacks; thought of getting 2 for my twin daughters...each is 24USD. Saw teddies, abut 15USD each.

When we returned to the hotel, I had quite a number of consultations. Most had complaints of body pains; one is a diabetic who needed his medications refilled. The other had fever, cough, catarrh; also said that he could not sleep last night. I spent another 30 minutes or more reviewing all these cases. After dispensing their medications, I proceeded for dinner.

I'm back in my room now, refreshed, and ready to sleep.

Tomorrow, I'll continue.

you're doing a good job God bless you and journey mercy when you're coming back

TONYE001:
Random pics...

Lol.....tiny cup.
Real appetiser..

More...

Hi, good morning.

There is something I forgot to share, maybe this will serve as a lesson.

See, I've always believed that as humans, we owe it to humanity to strive to be of our best behaviours everytime. We must realize that we are RESPONSIBLE for our actions. One way of demonstrating this responsibility is to act carefully, minding the sensibilities of the people we interact with, minding the laws of our countries or any country of residence, volunteering to be of help whenever a chance presents, generally, being of good conduct.

Yesterday, one of the nurses in my team told me a story. She was in Israel for the same reason about 10 years ago. While crossing over at the Israeli side of the border, she handed her passport to the Immigration officer. She was amazed when several CCTV pictures of her were shown to her immediately...these are pictures taken and recorded over ten years ago.

"This you?" the officer had asked.

She explained that even she wasn't sure she was the person...she had to look closely.

Imagine if she had done something wrong (she wouldn't have been given a visa sef)...

Thankfully, all they had was a casual and mild conversation which was followed by the usual welcome to Israel statement.

Anyways, that's that.

It's 5:54am here, I'm all set for the day. Been awake since 3am, had to study a bit before beginning preparations for the day. We would be going to Jericho and Jerusalem today, we would not be returning to this hotel as we'll be lodged somewhere else. I also have some patients to follow up, I plan to see them during breakfast.

I'm having charger issues here; I misplaced my power bank and USB cord in our former hotel in Jordan. These things are just too expensive here, so I won't be buying any. I try to charge in the bus if anybody's cable is free or something. So far, this has not affected my postings here...I just hope I'll be able to post as much as I want to today...gonna be a long day; the longer the day, the more the stories.

See you later, guys.

We've just set off.

Heading to Bethlehem.

The time here is 7:56am.

Some buildings here were bombed in the course of the war. As we've been told, throughout the duration of the war, the Israeli government offered victims whose homes were destroyed two options. The first to offer them a rented apartment (maybe money for rent) or to lodge them in a hotel.

Every hotel in the country is mandated to accommodate these victims. Since the war, hotels were not allowed to take in tourists as the Israeli citizens became priority.

The government again will offer financial support to help them rebuild their homes once things are settled.

Saw some of these people in our hotel. Happy to get this explanation from the tour guide...

Journey ongoing.

TONYE001:
We've just set off.

Heading to Bethlehem.

The time here is 7:56am.

Some buildings here were bombed in the course of the war. As we've been told, throughout the duration of the war, the Israeli government offered victims whose homes were destroyed two options. The first to offer them a rented apartment (maybe money for rent) or to lodge them in a hotel.

Every hotel in the country is mandated to accommodate these victims. Since the war, hotels were not allowed to take in tourists as the Israeli citizens became priority.

The government again will offer financial support to help them rebuild their homes once things are settled.

Saw some of these people in our hotel. Happy to get this explanation from the tour guide...

Journey ongoing.

What war do you speak of.....do you mean the current Israeli gazan/hezbollan one?

Tochex101:
What war do you speak of.....do you mean the current Israeli gazan/hezbollan one?

Yes, please.

Even more pics from yesterday's outing...

Want more?

TONYE001:
Want more?

Yes please...

herkeem:
Yes please...

OK.

I need more reactions so I can be sure I'm not here alone.

Next post will be massive.

The Road to Jericho

NB: This is a massive post.

Hi, it's been a long day...2:02pm here.

Our journey to Jericho was very eventful.

Let's start with a discuss we had with our guide. She was discussing Israel's date palm tree (dabinu) cultivation history. In the biblical era, Israel was very rich in date palm trees. Many decades later, civilization set in. A project to construct railways lead to the felling of these trees, and over time, the country had no date trees left.

It should be noted that at this time, Iran and Iraq were very rich in date palm trees.

In the 1950s, the Israelis conducted a clandestine operation. They sent two Israeli farmers (possibly with military backgrounds) to Iran and Iraq, they collected the stems of the male and female date palm trees and cultivated the same for 4 years. All of this was done without the realization of the governments of the above-mentioned nation. Subsequently, they returned to Israel (with the ?seeds, ?stems) and planted dates along the Sea of Galilee up to the Egyptian border. Today, Israel is the second major exporter of dates globally....after Saudi Arabia...as at 2022.

Jericho is in a region described as the West Bank. This region is divided into three areas: Areas A, B, and C. Area A is entire under the administration of the Palestinian Government. Area B is governed by both Palestinian and Israeli governments. Area C is under the administration of the Israeli government.

The Israeli military is entirely absent in Area A. Israelis are not encouraged to go to this area. Security in Area B is provided by both Israeli and Palestinian militaries and police. Area C is entirely under the protection of Israeli authorities.

The part of Jericho we visited is within Area A. Our guide explained that our move is risky, she didn't want to bring us here but the leaders of the group insisted. As we drove in, I saw quite a number of Palestinian police officers dressed in black long sleeves and trousers. Our tour guide warned us not to leave the bus unless we were told to. She also mentioned that yesterday, there was a terrorist attack in the area.

We drove to the Mount of Temptation. As narrated, it is the site Jesus was tempted by the devil. We had a cable ride up the mountain to a particular location where we had lectures and prayed afterwards. On top of this mountain is a monastery. To access this place, one would need to climb through flights of stairs...over a hundred wide stairs. A good number of Pilgrims opted not to, only a few did. I went with them with my first aid box.

At the top of the mountain, the road to the monastery is a tunnel; not so large, made of brick walls....old bricks whose edges have been impacted by decades of time that have come and gone. Down the tunnel is a room where people gather to pray. Along the tunnel is a right branch that leads to the actual monastery. The door to the monastery cannot admit an adult standing erect. Its height is about 3-4ft tall; one must bend to lose height in order to go through. This place is a restricted area.

The gate to this short door is made of old metal and irregular bricks. The area is entirely quiet... graveyard silence. In the still air is the smell of burning incense...quite soothing to perceive, I must confess. At either sides of the pavement leading to this door are long wooden benches, no design, just dark brown in colour.

On the walls around the actual monastery and the other room where people go to pray are all sorts of religious pictures with non-English inscriptions (?Greek). The small room where people gather to pray is actually within a church of some sort. In here, pictures, talking, and wearing of caps by males are prohibited. There was an old man dressed in a coffee-brown robe that sat at the entrance... ensuring that visitors complied tomb.

After praying and doing other spiritual exercises, we left the monastery. As we left, I observed the old man cut a piece of tissue paper, squat to clean the tiles of whatever stain he may have seen.

From the Mount of Temptation, we proceeded to lunch.

Area A, West Bank (Jericho) - Palestine-controlled region.

1. Palestine zone, Area A, West Bank.
2 and 3. Jericho

1. Stairs to the monastery on the top of the Mountain of Temptation
2 and 3. Cable ride

The Holy Monastery

Network or ?Nairaland not letting me upload the pictures I have...I'll try again later.

Lunch was great as usual. Too great, in fact.

From the restaurant, we headed to River Jordan. Within this area, there is a narrow stream flowing between Jordan and Israel From our end, we could see Jordanian military personnel. I saw two very young (18-20 years of age), smart-looking, well-kitted, female Israeli soldiers. I walked up to them, said hello and requested for some pictures with them. Sadly, they declined citing that they were on a mission and they are not permitted to take pictures. These young ladies were armed with a Tavor assault rifle; they seem tender, but do not be mistaken, they are battle-ready and can confront any challenge that surfaces. I thanked them for their services, said goodbye, and left.

Within 30 minutes or so, we proceeded to the Dead Sea. We passed through Highway 90, the longest road in Israel. Here, it was tough keeping the Pilgrims safe as many wanted to swim/bathe in the river despite its dangerous salinity. I tried to advise against this, and I also ensured no one stays exposed to the river for too long. 2 Pilgrim had burning eyes after exposure but I was able to help with copious irrigation using fresh water. Thankfully, they are all OK. I'll see them again tomorrow before we set out.

We spent about an hour in the Dead Sea Beach. From there, we headed for Jerusalem. You see, Israel is a bit complex. For example, Arabs are not allowed to spend the night in Jerusalem. They can go there to work but must return before night. Jews, on the other hand, are not allowed to spend nights in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a Palestinian town located just south to Jerusalem. Our tour guide, being a jew, had to drop off before entering Bethlehem. I think she'll spend the night in Jerusalem, and meet us up tomorrow.

Before she left us, however, she surprised us. While in Jerusalem, she told us she had a surprise for us. Somewhere along the journey, the bus stopped, and a young male walked in. Her son is currently serving in the army, and he's got a decent rank (can't recall). She told us that he had been in Gaza until recently when he was drafted to Jerusalem. She had him say hello to us. Brotherman talked confidently though with a weak English. He wished us well and left. She explained that the soldiers are subjected to physical, mental, and other forms of assessments before being posted. A score of 97 (?/100) is the minimal requirement for the infantry.

To get to Bethlehem, we passed through Jerusalem. It's got a checkpoint at its entrance....this point is manned by armed soldiers. From this checkpoint, we rode through a tunnel which delivered us to the city. The road networks are crazy; it's the first place in Israel I saw trams. I'll try and post some pictures tomorrow....hopefully the network/Nairaland will permit.

1. Climbing to the monastery
2.Longest cable ride below sea level...the ride we had at Jericho.
3. View of Area A, West Bank from cable ride (farms).

1. Highway 90

Jerusalem.

This morning, we left Bethlehem for Jerusalem. From our hotel, the journey was about an hour. There is a gate between the two cities..this is a military checkpoint separating a Palestinian city (Bethlehem) from the Jewish city (Jerusalem).

Jerusalem is a mountainous city. The city appears to be in layers...with some sections constructed on top of others. For example, you could be driving on a road and see other roads, cars, buildings....an entire section of the city existing just a storey above your current level. Above that one, you'll find another and another...and another. So, in all, you'll find that Jerusalem is a city in layers...these layers existing on mountains.

The remnant of the city wall is still standing. In the biblical era, this marked the geographical limit of the city but with expanding population, this boundary is repeatedly overwhelmed.

We saw the Golden Dome, a site important to both the Jews and the Muslims. Just outside the wall is a very large expanse of graveyard. The story is, it is believed that the resurrection would begin from this area...so people desire to be buried close to rhe Golden Dome... Jews, Christians, and Muslims...all bury their dead here...appears filled up though...don't know id they still practice this...but the graves are all over...I'll share the pictures.

A little of Jewish burial culture. So, when a person dies, he's put in a tomb and his remains left to decompose for a year. They construct an ossuary whose length is gotten from the length of the femur, the longest bone of the body. The ossuary is a box...some are made of woods. After a year of decomposition, the bones and other remnants are packed in the ossuary for burial.

We visited some other sites before proceeding to the Western Wall. This area is very symbolic. Prayers are said while touching the wall...and prayer requests can be written and submitted. The Western Wall is also of national importance. The Israeli military, after training and all that, are sworn into service at the wall. They take their Oath while placing their hands on the Wall. At the time of our visit, preparations were ongoing for a ceremony (?wearing in a new set of soldiers). I saw a whole lot of young soldiers, young men and women around 18 years of age...fully armed and kitted with other military gadgets. The sight of these soldiers is just amazing. Very young, agile, vibrant, smart-looking and all. I was able to take some pictures.

We are now going for lunch.

Further updates later.

Pics.

1. Young Israeli soldiers
2. The Western Wall
3. Graveyards beside the Golden Dome.

Yesterday was extremely busy. I was moved to another bus to see some Pilgrims with medical complaints. I got back to our hotel extremely exhausted.

We visited a lot of sites yesterday. People were also given the opportunity to buy stuff from the market.

I'll post some random pics today.

The past 2 days have been extremely busy.

Two things happened: I was moved to another bus where we had a number of Pilgrims with medical complaints. Further, I had to go run a clinic in their hotel as there were quite a number that did not make the trip because of their health.

Yesterday concluded the Pilgrimage activities as we visited the last 2 sites in Jordan. We had a great lunch afterwards and we returned to our hotel. While in the bus, I was suddenly informed that I was to return to Nigeria last night. Apparently, the flight to convey the Pilgrims to Nigeria today is not as big as the flight that brought us so they had to split us into three: my group was to return through Ethiopian Airlines, another group through Egypt Air, and the third group would leave this morning.

Despite the above, I still proceeded to one of the hotels to see some sick persons that needed attention. A taxi was arranged for me; it brought me to my hotel where I quickly got ready for the trip.

We left Amman at 3:15am, arrived Addis Ababa at 7:11am. We soon got on another Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to Abuja from where I proceeded to my residence.

The flights were quite cool...especially the flight to Abuja. Was able to watch some movies, listen to some good music, and follow the flight on a 3D map.

With this post, I've come to the end of my story.

I hope you enjoyed it; thank you.

Points to Note:

1. This is not my first tour; in 2013, I toured West Africa (Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana). Tourism/travelling offers an opportunity to see the globe through diverse perspectives. Life is beyond our homes; there's so much to learn...culture, history, etc.

2. The war ongoing in Israel is real; I spoke with one of the tour guides and he expressed his wish that the war should come to an end. People should stop thinking of wars as a winner-looser business. War claims lives in hundreds. That is, people's spouses, parents, children, siblings, and friends. The point is not whether Israel is winning or loosing the war; the point really is that people involved in this war are dying...whether Israeli or Palestinian. We should push for peace, we should not fan the flames of war because we have a narrative we want to see fulfilled.

3. Despite the above, life in Israel is going on smoothly. If not for the media, it was difficult to tell if Israel was at war.....though..I did not visit Tel Aviv.

4. Israel is a very, very, very, VERY efficient society. I think other nations should go before Israel to learn a thing or two.

5. Whatever God has put in your hands to do, please, do it well...you never can tell when something promising will sprout from your good deeds.

Thank you.

Random Pics.

1. Jerusalem.
2. Road 90
3. Bethlehem (Palestine-controlled region)

Dead Sea..

Good day, Doctor,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to commend you on the informative write-up; it certainly provides valuable insights.

Could you please clarify the total duration of the trip in weeks? Additionally, I’m curious if ladies are allowed to wear trousers, such as jeans or joggers.

Thank you for your assistance!

TONYE001:
Dead Sea..

I enjoyed reading your thread, thumps up doc

pnieeventures:
Good day, Doctor,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to commend you on the informative write-up; it certainly provides valuable insights.

Could you please clarify the total duration of the trip in weeks? Additionally, I’m curious if ladies are allowed to wear trousers, such as jeans or joggers.

Thank you for your assistance!

Thank you very much... greetings.

Your questions..

1. 12 days.

2. Of course! Ladies were allowed to dress as they please...but modestly. Some religious sites are stricter though...but nothing against trousers and jeans.

Gotocourt:
I enjoyed reading your thread, thumps up doc

Gracias, gracias...thanks.

Appreciate.