Jerusalem: Day 3

Today we started our day at Gallon Heights having lots of fun taking in the scenery and interacting with the Israeli Army. From the top we could see bordering countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. But the most meaningful sight was the valley where the road to Damascus would have been. After taking some beautiful shots of the landscape we went down into a military bunker, now used for tourists, to get a feel what the tranches, and rooms underground were actually like. While here, there were many Israeli soldiers around, some even eager to talk with us. One group of guys actually came up to us, asking if we would say their squadron's name in Hebrew and English and film it. This group was known as the "Best of the Lions." After that we went out to get our lunch, today I was able to try a Druze Pizza, which was basically a pita with cheese and olive oil. Personally I wasn't a fan...but I'm always willing to try new things!
Speaking of the Druze, I was very lucky to learn about this people group today. As we were driving out to Gallon Heights, all across the way you see these huts/tents in individual com unities. My first thought was that these people were just homeless, but the fact is that they choose to live that way. As part of their secret religion they are patrons to the country of Israel. One of things that they believe that I thought was pretty interesting was that they believe that once a Druze dies, their soul is put back into another Druze. Because of this they make excellent soldiers since they are not afraid of death. You must be born into this group in order to even be a member of it, having both parents being Druzes themselves.
After lunch we went to Caeserea Philippi where the Gates of Hell were. This spot was so vital because it is where Peter actually proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. All along the area there were this holes of where idols would have been placed at the Temple of Pan.
To be honest out of everything I saw and experienced today my favorite was in the National Park, where there was still a gate dating back tot he time of Abraham, and it being something that he actually used. To have something to intact, and old still baffles me.
It was an interesting filled with tons of new things, and I can't wait to learn even more tomorrow...