JORDAN-DAY 5-TUES. OCT. 20, 2015

We did see the Jordan River several times today and most of the time it looks like a murky stream.  The level of the river goes down by several feet every year.  This area of the world has a shortage of water to begin with since it is desert.  We stopped off at Bethany which was to have been where Jesus was Baptized by John.  There was also a place near by where people could now get baptized.  The spot where Jesus may have been baptized is no longer where there is water.  There have been numerous earthquakes and the lowering of the water over time have made the topography change significantly.

It was another site where we had to fight the tourists.  Can't you tell?

Next was Mataba which is the home of 6th century mosaics of a map of the Holy Land.  We went into the Church of St. George to see the main mosaic while other places nearby had smaller ones.

Mount Nebo is overlooking the Jordan River and supposedly this is where Moses died at the age of 120.  Once he saw the promised land, he died.

A view of the Promised Land.

We did stop for lunch and then found a little liquor store.  There were a number from our group who just happened to find the same store.  Alcohol at the hotels is very expensive so others were taking the opportunity to make purchases as well.

Then onto Umm Ar-rasas where a really huge mosaic was under a sort of covering.  The guide sprinkled some water on the mosaics so that we could see all of the actual colors of the stones.  This so far was the largest.  Then we had to go to a mosaic shop and see how a mosaic that is framed is made.  There were all sorts of Jordanian items that could be purchased as well.  Thank goodness there was a limited time to shop or we would still be there.

The last thing was a Crusaders Fort that was way up on a hillside.  This fort was in great condition and we were lucky enough to go through it before 6:30 when the sun suddenly sets and instant darkness appears.