I really miss everyone and I cannot wait to get home. But there are some things that I have really liked about being here in Israel…
My favorite thing was floating in the Dead Sea. It is kind of cool because you actually have to float. It is really hard to stand up in the water. It tastes so, so, so salty. It is really disgusting.
I also loved the Ramparts Walk. The Ramparts Walk is a walk on top of the old city wall. It is really cool because you can see the whole city. It is really high and my Dad got really scared which was kind of funny…LOL!
We went to Jordan and I got to snorkel. I loved that because I got to see a fish just like Dorothy in Nemo. I also saw Nemo. We also saw a bunch of huge Sea Urchins. Our guide told us you can hold them in your hands lightly and they will not sting you. I will never do that.
I really, really, really liked Massada. We hiked up a path called the Snake Path. Thankfully, there are no snakes – it just looks like a snake because it zig-zags up the mountain. Herod had some really cool palaces here with huge cisterns. Cisterns hold water but not like water you can swim in, they save water for you to drink drink.
The cats were a huge part of my adventure and some of the cats even sit on my lap now and I can pet them. I love kitty cats.
I really loved seeing the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This is where Jesus was born. The church was really pretty. It was made of marble. There was a really small door that you had to go through. I did not have to duck but most of my family did. They made the door really small so that people could not ride their horses into the church.
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is also very cool. They have the rock where Jesus’ cross was in place and they have the Stone of Unction which is where they laid Jesus’ body to get it ready to be buried. They also have the place where they think Jesus was buried.
Avdat was really fun, too. It is a big canyon that we hiked through with steps carved into the mountain. We had to climb out of the canyon. It was really steep and there were metal ladders that we had to use. I liked to hang on them but my mom told me to not look down (because it was kind of scary).
I liked seeing a bunch of camels. They are really cool. They cost between $10,000 and $30,000 dollars! I got to ride a donkey but I have not ridden a camel yet. I did hold a baby sheep, too. Camels spit on people but I have still seen a lot of people riding them. Hopefully I can ride one sometime.
While I have been here, I have loved reading Winnie-the-Pooh. It is not a babyish book, it is the real classic story. It is a very big chapter book for a second grader. It is a challenge for me but I have really liked reading it! My favorite character is Piglet. He is smaller than a pencil but a little fatter.
I really miss everyone, Bye!
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- Me floating in the Dead Sea
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- My favorite cat, Cookies, sitting on my lap outside our apartment
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- Me and my brothers after we climbed out of Avdat
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- Getting ready to snorkel in the Red Sea, Jordan
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- Having some great tea and snacks with Bennett after snorkeling
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- My mom and I by a camel outside our apartment buiding!
love it! i hope to see you before you go!
Dear sweet Cate, A wonderful blog from a wonderful girl..sounds like you Gabe and Ben are sharing together one fantastic adventure after another! Only our awesome God could make all this happen for your family! I would love to see you floating in the Dead Sea,Cate ( you love swimming) I can understand why Dad was scared on the Ramparts Walk.What a gift to see where Jesus was born and where He died on the cross!..Hope you get the opportunity to ride a camel before you come home..Grandpa and I miss you all very much..It won’t be long now before you’re home…and do you think you have room in your suitcase for Cookies the cat? He might like it here, especially being with Cate..Love & Hugs Gram & Gramp xoxoxoxo
Hey Cate, I just love to read your blog! You guys are seeing so many cool things and I am really jealous that you got to snorkel in the Jordan, it always amazes me to see so many different fishes, our God is so creative. I also think that maybe you should ask Dad to buy you a camel to bring home cause wouldn’t that be so cool to ride up to school on!! Well, at least you could imagine it! Can’t wait to see you when you get home. I just got home from Florida where I met Brett and Alena and baby Caleb, he just learned to crawl and he laughs at everything. so Fun. love you all, nancy
Hi Cate! Winnie thePooh was one of my favorite books too. I am glad you are enjoying reading! Your family adventure sure sounds amazing, but we sure miss your faces around here and can’t wait for you all to get home. I spoke with Mrs. Ewing a few days ago and Lydia is counting the days till you can play together. Luke was mentioning the other day that he wanted to email you, so look for that soon! Hugs and Love, Ms. Carin’
how many cats did you see? i like the picture of you with the cat. you look taller. bye Luke.
Rod, Libby, Gabe, Bennett, and Cate,
I’m missing your family today. Thank you for the updates. They are very interesting and informative. Bennet – I had to laugh – I thought of you at church chugging the left over grape juice after communion – I was amazed – you must have had a serious belly ache.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. I love you guys! Tom G – John 1:16