The Rhythm of My Story: Jaffa -- an Ancient Sea Port

Another morning without my alarm going off. Isn't this the way vacations should be? Zandra is feeling enough better that exploring Jaffa is in her future. We went downstairs to enjoy the hotel's buffet breakfast. Laurie was already there, on her third cappuccino. She woke up early and was doing some creative thinking. Since the two times Zandra has had allergic reactions to breakfast foods she has been very careful. She was having cereal and orange juice when she had her worst reaction yet. This time it went down her arms. Laurie ran up for Benadryl. They have the drill down now. Stephanie joined us and while she ate breakfast we watched Zandra fade from red to pink. We all wish we knew what caused that reaction. Laurie gave her extra Benadryl in case she has this reaction on the plane tomorrow.

After breakfast we decided to explore Jaffa together. Jaffa (or Joppa) is where Jonah got on a boat to Tarshish trying to avoid God's call. Joppa is where Peter had a vision on the rooftop of Simon the Tanner's home. The vision was of a sheet floating down from heaven. It was filled with unclean animals. God said, "Don't call anything unclean that I call clean." (Acts10) It is also where Tabitha was healed by Peter. (Acts 9).

We headed down by the water and passed a mosque with this sign.

We took the stairs up the side of the hill. I had studied the map and thought I knew how to get to Summit Park. We were looking for the ruins from the Canaanites, Hasmoneans and Ramses II. It is always dangerous to act like you know where your going and find out you are leading everyone astray. We did not end up at Summit Park but St. Peter's Church. A painting above the altar depicted Peter's vision of the cloth coming down from heaven. I had imagined a little bigger sheet.

At Kdmium Square we saw the zodiac fountain. We are still confused by one or two of the representations.

We enticed Stephanie onto a camel that wouldn't roll onto its side while she is on it.

The Visitor Center at Kdmium Square is underground and is part of an archeological park. We had read that we could see catacombs down there. The air conditioner was broken in the Visitor Center and it turns out there are no catacombs. We decided against paying the 30 Shekels. So we walked down to Simon the Tanner's home. That is where Peter was when he had the vision. You can't go inside.

We wandered further down the stairs poking our heads in galleries along the way. There are some amazing artisans in Jaffa.

We finally reached Jaffa's port, among the most ancient ports in the world.

By then we were sweaty and hot. Have I mentioned that Israel is ungodly hot! We ate popsicles while we looked out at the sea. It revived us a bit. Stephanie and Laurie left to walk the promenade and find a place to eat dinner. Zandra and I climbed back up the steps in search of Summit Park. First we crossed the Wishing Bridge. You are supposed to find your Zodiac sign, grasp it, look out to the sea and make a wish.

The summit of Summit Park has a great view.

It also has a statue that captivated me. It is made of three stone slabs. The stone across the top represents the battle of Jericho.

One side represents Jacob's dream of a ladder to heaven.

The other side depicts Abraham preparing to sacrifice Isaac.

We finally found the ruins. This is the Egyptian gate with Ramses II's name.

This is the Canaanite wall.

We headed to the Jaffa market. Along the way we found an ice cream store that had 14 vegan choices. We had ice cream. I know we just had popsicles but before you judge us you need to know it was oppressively hot. We found the Jaffa market but it left me feeling too claustrophobic.