Gamla, Qazrin

Gamla is often refered to as the Masada of the North.  In the valley is a large mountain that looks like a camal's hump(Gamla means camel hump).  They built the city fortress on the sides of the hill and on top of the mountain.  It was said to have looked like a floating city. In 67AD  the Romans began to attack the city.  Once they finally got in a blood bath of fierce fighting commenced killing 4,000 with another 5,000 citizens jumping to there death.  I didn't get a good picture of the hump.  I will next time!  

Not far from Gamla were some old ruins.

I loved the white bark of the trees next to the black stone of the homes.

The next two pictures are of Dolmens.  These are table-shaped tombs used for burial.  They are very ancient and date back to 2000 BC

Next we go to Qazrin.  This is a well perserved Jewish village on the Golan Heights.

This is the home of the Rabbi.  Can you read Hebrew?

Inside the home was very dark. The black stone, lack of windows and no lights made it difficult to see.  Luckily the flash on the camera revealed hidden secrets.  The following are pictures of the kitchen and living quarters.  Brother Skinner talked about the lost gold coin.  It bought a new perspective seeing and trying to walk in the old home.  The floors are horribly uneven with many cracks and potentail hiding places. The darkness would indeed make it difficult to find things that you drop.

Herbs for cooking.

An example of the  thressing tables that Christ talks about.These metal sleds had rocks and chunks of mettle poking out to shred and rip.

An example of a vessel made to hold wine. 

The roofs were made of mud.  This was used to smooth out the mud and compact it.

The remains of the synagogue.

Seth found a lizard!

We now go to Kursi.  This was a fun place.  Thomas told the students one of his favorite Bible stories, when Christs cast out the evil spirits of the man and they go into the swine.  This is the likely place it happened.  The hill side has caves and the Sea of Galilee is close by.

The mosaic floor of the largest Byzantine monastic complexes in the country is found here in Kursi.

A student showing off his pig snout.

We went to lunch at a place that served burgers with cheese! and Steak.  No Kosher meals here.  They also had flavored sea salt.  This was rosemary flavored.

Smoked Sea Salt.

Black or Charcoal Sea Salt.  It is really good.

Abby shows us lots of fresh seasonings!

This is a dragon fruit.  The colors are amazing, so bright and beautiful.  The fruit inside is similar to kiwi.