Wednesday March 1, 2023

Update: March 1, 11:45 PM. Jerusalem, Israel

(See photos and videos below)

As the sun rose over Jerusalem this morning, the Heights men loaded the bus and descended over 2400 feet below sea level to the Judean Desert. Upon arrival to the area known as Wadi Kelt, we were met by some Bedouins who sold many of our guys head scarves for the desert heat. Father Diego then celebrated the Holy Mass here in the middle of no where.The views of the desert were breathtaking and included a desert oasis complete with palm trees. No words can describe the view.

We then headed a short distance and viewed the stunning St. Georges Greek Seminary build into the mountain.

While in the dessert, Father Diego renewed boy’s baptismal vows at the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. The next stop in the desert was the Palestinian City of Jericho, the oldest city in the world dating back to over 10,000 years BC. A short distance away we viewed the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by the devil. The famished boys then sat in The Temptations restaurant of Jericho featuring the food of the region. After lunch, most of the guys experienced a ride on Sammy the Camel.

After a quick visit to Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, our bus headed to the Dead Sea for the most anticipated event of the trip as far as the boys are concerned: a swim in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. They could barely contain their excitement as they arrived, eager to cover themselves with globs of mineral mud, that any far-away spa would covet. Another popular pastime for the boys was to drift their bodies into the sea and float, effortlessly. It was not long before the boys learned that the mud, is actually mineral rich and good for the skin, giving them additional excuses to cover themselves from head to toe. One group of guys etched the Heights letters on their chest for a photo. It was a most fitting end to an exciting day!
Once the boys had sufficiently soaked themselves with the mud and showered it was time to depart. The bus returned the boys back above sea level to the Greek Patriarch in Jerusalem for dinner. Later, we headed out on an evening walk to the famous Ben Yehuda pedestrian street to experience the rich city culture of Jerusalem. The boys witnessed both street performers and other local pastimes, while enjoying ice cream, souvenir shops and Jewish culture. The highlight of the night was the karaoke in the main square. Many of the boys performed songs to the delight of local university students and others on the streets.

There was even time for Jewish wedding dancing and singing Happy Birthday to Mr. Hatch. The guys had a blast and definitely brought some joy to some locals!