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Let's continue (from yesterday's post) looking at Kasr al Yahud.
Once you get down to the baptism site, it looks like an oasis.
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But first you have to get there, and all around is desert.
Follow the signs, leave the main Jordan Valley road and head east.
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Soon you see the army patrol road, a sure sign that you are nearing the border (which is the Jordan River).
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Be very alert to the many "DANGER - MINES" signs.
Don't even think of leaving the paved road.
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The badlands were indeed bad in the 1970s, with many terrorists coming through.
That is why the IDF laid the mines back then.
In the past few years Israel has been working hard and investing millions in order to make this Christian holy site on the River Jordan safe and comfortable for the thousands of pilgrims who want to immerse in the river.
It was just recently dedicated and is now open seven days a week.
Tomorrow I'll show you the lighter side of the site.
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(The blue desert skies of May are for SkyWatch Friday.)
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UPDATE June 2019: See stunning photos and video of the Romanian church at
https://www.timesofisrael.com/stunning-romanian-church-is-final-monastery-cleared-of-mines-at-qasr-al-yahud/
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Thanks for the tour, I am so glad it is a safe place to visit. Happy SKywatching!
ReplyDeleteThoughtful mean to measure time and life. Thank you for this journey very much.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see the contrast between the oasis by the river and the desert. I don't think in my inner images formed from the Bible passages it was that green along the shore of the river, but thinking about it, of course that makes sense...
ReplyDeleteAn extremely interesting series.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see this: when I got there in the 90s it was almost desert and derelict. The mines along the road were already there.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this Dina.
ReplyDeleteIt's striking to see the oasis in the middle of the desert. I'm glad they are working to remove the land mines. Your posts are always so interesting!
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