The weather was beautiful on Fri. Dec. 25, 2009, for the last hike of the Gregorian calendar year.
Although we couldn't visit inside the churches because of services, Shelly the guide (whom we last "saw" in the darkness of the Armon Hanatziv aqueduct and at sunset) took us through the Jerusalem Trail, the city walk not covered by the Israel Trail, marked with blue/gold/blue striped trail signs with the Jerusalem Lion symbol.
We met in the parking lot of the Mormon University on Mt. Scopus and began our city walk by descending the "Flintstones" wadi, Nahal Tzurim.
Resting under an old olive tree to hear about the archaeological sifting project and about King David and his troublesome children.
We then continued down the trail, which gave an incredible view of the Old City walls, St. Stephen's Gate (The Lions Gate), the al-Aksa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, old cemeteries, and heard an explanation of how the Trail was landscaped and developed.
The intrepid Mosaic hikers, with several new faces joining us, continued downhill past the Church of All Nations, Gethsemane, and onward to Absalom's Pillar, then through Silwan, where we saw the exit from City of David (where we ended a previous tiyul). A little climb up Gey Ben-Hinnom and an explanation of the Sambusak cemetery added information, exertion and a beautiful view. We continued up hill to the "back" of Abu Tor, where we said goodbye to Shelly and found ourselves under the bridge of the Cinematheque where everyone parted for the weekend.
A good time was had by all, thanks to Joel's first-time coordinating and the good moods everyone brought to the outing.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Har Masor - November 19th - Novmber 21st 2009
We all got together at the Hatzeva Field School on Thursday evening. After a bit of schmoozing, Noshing and just plain catching up, we went to bed to rest up for Friday's hike
After breakfast on Friday morning, we got in the cars and started driving towards the trail head. During the drive we passed through an air force firing range. The ground was pock marked where bombs had fallen, and there were remains of planes and other vehicles. After a short stop, we continued on.
After parking below Har Masor, we started our climb. The first section was a regular climb. The next section of our climb was very steep, with a sharp drop off on one side, and the cliff on another. One hiker had to be escorted back to the trail head.
Once we got to the top of the hill, we had a great view of the surrounding area.
For our next leg, we walked down the mountain, and at one stage had the option of going through a hole in the rocks. We arrived at the bottom of the hill in one piece, and had a break under an Acacia tree.
We continued on our walk. Since we were not pressed for time, our guide led us off the trail to lengthen the hike. We ended up in a very nice Canyon.
Further on, where we stopped for lunch, we saw a snake on the other side of the canyon. A great photo opportunity.
We ended our hike at the cars and had to drive the same 10 kilometers on the same dirt road back towards the field school.
On Shabbat, various groups organized and took walks in different directions.
Thanks to Ephraim and Rachel for organizing a great weekend and to Eschar, our guide.
Pictures:
Gadi: http://picasaweb.google.com/gadi.ben.avi/20091120MosaicChatzeva
Steve: http://picasaweb.google.com/steve99il/2009_11_20MosaicHatzeva
After breakfast on Friday morning, we got in the cars and started driving towards the trail head. During the drive we passed through an air force firing range. The ground was pock marked where bombs had fallen, and there were remains of planes and other vehicles. After a short stop, we continued on.
After parking below Har Masor, we started our climb. The first section was a regular climb. The next section of our climb was very steep, with a sharp drop off on one side, and the cliff on another. One hiker had to be escorted back to the trail head.
Once we got to the top of the hill, we had a great view of the surrounding area.
For our next leg, we walked down the mountain, and at one stage had the option of going through a hole in the rocks. We arrived at the bottom of the hill in one piece, and had a break under an Acacia tree.
We continued on our walk. Since we were not pressed for time, our guide led us off the trail to lengthen the hike. We ended up in a very nice Canyon.
Further on, where we stopped for lunch, we saw a snake on the other side of the canyon. A great photo opportunity.
We ended our hike at the cars and had to drive the same 10 kilometers on the same dirt road back towards the field school.
On Shabbat, various groups organized and took walks in different directions.
Thanks to Ephraim and Rachel for organizing a great weekend and to Eschar, our guide.
Pictures:
Gadi: http://picasaweb.google.com/gadi.ben.avi/20091120MosaicChatzeva
Steve: http://picasaweb.google.com/steve99il/2009_11_20MosaicHatzeva
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Bike Ride - October 30th 2009
After the bike ride was postponed because of the heat (riding in 3 degrees is no fun), we all got together for a bike ride around Mesilat Tzion.
We met near the pool in Mesilat Tzion. Once everyone arrived, we had a short lesson on using the gears and breaks on the bikes and were each given a bike.
After a very short section on the streets of Mesilat Tzion, we started climbing up the Eshtaol Scenic Path.
The rest of our route took us through Rabin Park, parts of the Burma Road and back to Mesilat Tzion.
Some riders even had a chance to try out a Tandem Bike.
Luckily, the skies opened up just as we finished the ride.
Thanks to Phillip for organizing the ride.
We met near the pool in Mesilat Tzion. Once everyone arrived, we had a short lesson on using the gears and breaks on the bikes and were each given a bike.
After a very short section on the streets of Mesilat Tzion, we started climbing up the Eshtaol Scenic Path.
The rest of our route took us through Rabin Park, parts of the Burma Road and back to Mesilat Tzion.
Some riders even had a chance to try out a Tandem Bike.
Luckily, the skies opened up just as we finished the ride.
Thanks to Phillip for organizing the ride.
Golan - September 10th-12th 2009
This is a place holder. If anyone would like to write up a short description of the hike, please let me know
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Armon HaNatziv - August 27th 2009
We met at the Haas Promenade overlooking The Old City.
After a short walk towards the Armon HaNatziv neighbourhood, we arrived at the entrance to the tunnels.
The tunnels are part of a water system the brought water from Hebron to Jerusalem. The original system was built by the Hasmoneans, and then rebuilt by the Romans, Crusaders, Turks and British (and possible others).
Along the tunnels there are sections where you can see the original plaster, clay pipes from the Turkish period.
After an explanation about the water systems, we walked through the tunnels. The end is below the Haas Promenade.
The next section of our walk was along the UN compound's fence.
After the walk we all gathered at Fiona's apartment for a lovely supper.
Thanks to Maxine, Judy and Fiona for organizing everything, and to Shelly, our guide.
After a short walk towards the Armon HaNatziv neighbourhood, we arrived at the entrance to the tunnels.
The tunnels are part of a water system the brought water from Hebron to Jerusalem. The original system was built by the Hasmoneans, and then rebuilt by the Romans, Crusaders, Turks and British (and possible others).
Along the tunnels there are sections where you can see the original plaster, clay pipes from the Turkish period.
After an explanation about the water systems, we walked through the tunnels. The end is below the Haas Promenade.
The next section of our walk was along the UN compound's fence.
After the walk we all gathered at Fiona's apartment for a lovely supper.
Thanks to Maxine, Judy and Fiona for organizing everything, and to Shelly, our guide.
Nachal Dolev - August 6th 2009
On Thursday, August 6th, 2009, we met for a moonlight hike in Nachal Dolev (or at least, that was the plan).
We met near the turn off to the Shimshon (Stalactite) Cave. From there we drove to the beginning of our route.
After the drivers returned from leaving the cars at the end of the route, we started walking. It was a beautiful cool night. Someone from Tel-Aviv remarked the it was nice to be able to breath.
At one point we came to the conclusion that we had made a wrong turn some where, and instead of walking in Nachal Dolev, we were walking above it. Since it would have been very difficult to get lost we decided to just follow the trail and see where it took us.
The trail took us to the end of the trail we had wanted to take. We backtracked a bit into Nachal Dolev, so we could say we were there, and then continued towards the end of the route where the cars were waiting.
The drive back to the beginning of the route was a bit crowded, but we made it OK, and everyone got home OK.
Thanks to Steve for organizing the walk.
We met near the turn off to the Shimshon (Stalactite) Cave. From there we drove to the beginning of our route.
After the drivers returned from leaving the cars at the end of the route, we started walking. It was a beautiful cool night. Someone from Tel-Aviv remarked the it was nice to be able to breath.
At one point we came to the conclusion that we had made a wrong turn some where, and instead of walking in Nachal Dolev, we were walking above it. Since it would have been very difficult to get lost we decided to just follow the trail and see where it took us.
The trail took us to the end of the trail we had wanted to take. We backtracked a bit into Nachal Dolev, so we could say we were there, and then continued towards the end of the route where the cars were waiting.
The drive back to the beginning of the route was a bit crowded, but we made it OK, and everyone got home OK.
Thanks to Steve for organizing the walk.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Jaffa - July 23rd, 2009
Mosaic met veteran guide Yona Wiseman (www.yonawise.com), and took her tour titled,
"Tour of Jaffa - One of the Oldest Cities in the World":
Walk through the Old City of Jaffa, where Bible stories come alive. Enjoy the alleyways lined with art shops and studios of famous artists. Visit the port, once a gateway to Jerusalem and today filled with fishing boats. Pay a visit to the Flea Market in the area."
Warren Z organized a full list of participants. But first, how to get the strength to tour? Dinner (arranged by Maxine) at Il Cafe Yafo (http://cafeyaffo.rest-e.co.il/) where we feasted on wonderful Italian food topped off by caffe and homemade ice cream.
It was an effort to leave the a/c place and set out for the hot streets, but Yona's photos of Jaffa a century ago made history come alive. A good time was had by all.
Fiona's pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/fvernea/JaffaJuly2009
"Tour of Jaffa - One of the Oldest Cities in the World":
Walk through the Old City of Jaffa, where Bible stories come alive. Enjoy the alleyways lined with art shops and studios of famous artists. Visit the port, once a gateway to Jerusalem and today filled with fishing boats. Pay a visit to the Flea Market in the area."
Warren Z organized a full list of participants. But first, how to get the strength to tour? Dinner (arranged by Maxine) at Il Cafe Yafo (http://cafeyaffo.rest-e.co.il/) where we feasted on wonderful Italian food topped off by caffe and homemade ice cream.
It was an effort to leave the a/c place and set out for the hot streets, but Yona's photos of Jaffa a century ago made history come alive. A good time was had by all.
Fiona's pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/fvernea/JaffaJuly2009
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