Summertime Traditions

Budapest Tradition

Since Kuwait

From 2005 - 2009, I lived in Hungary.  I was on staff with a non-profit organization in Budapest that worked in the city and trained international students to follow biblical principles. I learned and grew a lot during my time there. 

After moving back to America in 2009, I wasn't able to visit for many years. Since Kuwait, I have began a new tradition of visiting that wonderful city, and my amazing friends there, regularly. Visiting Budapest has become a new tradition.  

If You Have Eyes For it

If you have talked with me, you've probably heard me gush about Budapest. Budapest is beautiful. Some beauty has always been right on the surface. For example, the lookout from the Buda hills to the bridges over the Danube, is breathtaking. Period. The intricate design of the renovated buildings, are simply stunning. 

I have seen a lot of changes in the last 11 years. Investors have renovated a lot in hopes of making Budapest a travel destination and it seems to have worked. The city is much friendlier to foreigners than it was upon my arrival in 2005 and it's much more well-known.

The city is not without its issues. I don't care for the many sex shops and random drunk person absently talking to themselves. I do, also, still sense an undercurrent of hopelessness in many. Minimum wage is still way below where it should be and retirement can't be easy. For example, the bulging cafe scene must be being supported by tourism because as little as the typical local makes, they couldn't afford to frequent them regularly. 

But if you have the eyes for it, there is more, subtle, beauty to be found. There is beauty in the sweet grandmas selling flowers and the grumpy ones warning you to hang onto your purse, or lecturing your friend to dress their already bundled baby, warmer. You can see it when you look past the not-yet renovated communist style apartment buildings to witness the people scattered about chatting and enjoying the greenery.  It is in the simplicity of families packing their lunches and eating in the park, and the quaint appeal of the peach colored, terracotta roofed houses.

I'm glad this has become a regular stop. And I'm hoping it will continue to be one.

California and Nebraska Highlights

I got to spend a few days with my dad on the West coast.  It was important to me to make it there before the, next, new season of my life. When I was there, we realized there will be nothing but water between us (the Pacific Ocean), after my move to China. 

He still lives in dreamland. Such beauty!

Hometown reunion. It is fun to reconnect with family and friends in the Good Life state every year. This year, my time was busy and too short, but still needed. It was, specifically, a blessing to be a part of this jem's wedding:


and to spend some quality time with my nephews and niece. 

My littlest nephew.

Getting ready for...

... my niece's birthday party.

My older nephew, with Olaf.

With out-of-town family.

Catching up with friends!

Also, 'thank you' doesn't express how blessed I have been by those who prayed with me about the future. Nebraska once again has reminded me how blessed I am.

The Future

So. Though it doesn't seem real, I am actually flying to China... 

TOMORROW!

Back to the Middle East. To walk the Jesus Trail!

Cannot Stay Away.

I said goodbye to Kuwait. Masalama, Sadiqi!

And hello to Budapest. Szia, Kedvesem!

And then the next day it's back in the Middle East. As-Salaam-Alaikum/Shalom!
I just cannot stay away.

I appreciate my time living there. I've learned a lot and started to wonder about even more. I'm okay with that, That is my definition of wisdom. The wise people I know, don't know all the answers but ask really good questions. 

Now I feel, and have, a connection to the Middle East and its culture. I may, even, be a little defensive of the region and its people, If need be.

Before Living in the Middle East.

Before moving to the gulf, I was only interested in visiting Egypt, check, and Israel, now... check. But, Middle East, as many have always known, you are much, much more than that! Thank you for your people, your natural beauty, your food and your culture. 

Israel.

What can I say about you. I don't know how another trip can compare with you. 

My trip to Israel was rich and meaningful. There is beauty there, especially in Bethlehem and Tel Aviv, but that is not why I went. Lots of people do. There were tourists there simply on a spend-the-day-at-the-beach holiday. But that's not why I went. I wanted to go to Israel and to walk where Jesus walked, hoping to understand his character more and to gain more insight when I read about his life and when I meditate of his words, meaning the Bible. And how can another trip compare with that. I saw the lake where Jesus walked on water and invited his disciple to do the same, the location where he proclaimed, 'Blessed are...' the peacemakers, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, where he told his followers to love their enemies, to store up treasure in heaven, to let their God-light shine before men. Where he outsmarted the super religious and out loved the hypocrites. Where he made people whole and caused them to come back to life. 

In Israel.

First I went to Jerusalem, then to the West Bank to visit Bethlehem, Jericho and the baptismal site of Jesus. After that, we hiked from Nazareth, through Cana, to Capernaum. When our hike was complete, we stopped in Tiberias and Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem.

Inside a church built where Jesus
is thought to have been crucified.

Found this in the Muslim 
quarter of the old city. 
Nebraska Cornhusker football.

Visiting Ramallah, West Bank

The tour took us to Arafat's tomb.

Bethlehem, in the West Bank.

On the wall.

Driving to Jericho.

Jericho.

This mountain is thought to be where
Jesus was tempted, before his ministry.

Our visit was during Ramadan.

Many were fasting, including our tour guide.

We were served an amazing breakfast and lunch.

The Lord's prayer, in Arabic.

Our Arab Christian guide
to the churches. 

Where Jesus is thought to have been born.

Arriving in Nazareth

The city is now 100% Arab Muslims and Arab Christians.

We got to visit Nazareth Village. "The purpose of Nazareth Village is, to help pilgrims see the Nazareth Jesus knew and hear Jesus' words, especially the parables, with first-century ears."
It was very insightful.

A tomb, possibly like, Jesus was buried in.

Threshing grain. 
Separating the wheat from the chaff. 

The Jesus Trail.

Matthew tells us that Jesus moved from his hometown of Nazareth to Capernaum. In Capernaum, which is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, is where much of his ministry took place. 

We walked from Nazareth to Capernaum. At first, it was just me, Stefanie and our trusty Jesus Trail books.  Later, we added the help of a GPS trail application. Even with that, we got lost a lot, but had a great time. We hiked about 7 miles a day in an average heat of 93 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In Nazareth.

Possibly where the angel told Mary
she was going to give birth to Jesus. 

Day 1

Cana, where Jesus turned water to wine.
We also passed through the birthplace of Jonah.

The probable size of one of the jars
of water that Jesus turned to wine.

The first night we stayed in a hostel
ran by a Muslim women, in Cana.
She made us dinner and breakfast.

Always looking ahead and reading
up on the places we were visiting.

Day 2.

The second night, we stayed at one
of the, few religious, Jewish Kibbutz. 

Day 3.
We climbed the Horns of Hittin and...

we visited a Druze temple. Where Moses'
father-N-law, Jethro, is suppose to be buried.

Day 4. 
We climbed Mt. Arbel...

for a great view of the Sea of Galilee. 

We saw a first century boat but we couldn't
take a picture of it. This is similar though.

A picture depicting Mary, of whom Jesus
cast out seven demons. It was located
at her, supposed, hometown.

The Sea of Galilee.

Day 5.

Morning reflecting, at the Sea of Galilee.

We visited the church built in one of the locations
where Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves.

A statue to commemorate Jesus telling Peter

to, feed his sheep'. Near where Jesus may

have 'given him the keys of the kingdom'.

Possibly where Jesus gave the... 

'Great Commision'.

We climbed the Mt. of Beatitudes.
This is a church built there. 

We arrived at Capernaum.
Our final destination.

There is a church built over the remains
of, what is thought to be, Peter's house. 

The rest of the ruins of Capernaum.

Tel Aviv. Aka Joppa

After the hike, we visited Tiberias
and spent some time in Tel Aviv.
Abraham Hostels are located in
Jerusalem, Nazareth and Tel Aviv.
We stayed at each one.

Tel Aviv is where Peter went to see Simon the
Tanner and where Jonah set sail for Spain,
instead of Nineveh. 

The port of Joppa.

Fresh falafel. 

38 in 38.

Not bad for my 38th country in 38 years. I feel my many trips have all had purpose and been instruments of personal growth. Period.

You may not believe me, but, I am so full, I would be content not passing 40 countries before my 40th. It will be hard to do, but it is my sort of my upside-down individual goal.