Caesarea (and swimming in the Mediterranean), Jaffa and Tel Aviv (7/28)

This morning we ventured out for a new adventure as we headed to the northwest to visit Caesarea and the Mediterranean. It is the first day we have had with clouds that hung around for the whole day. Nice fluffy white cotton ball clouds that drifted slowly through the brilliantly blue sky. We arrived at the Mediterranean at around 10 am, and I was astonished (as I always am) at the sight of the ocean; its beauty, mystery, and its ceaseless chorus crashing against the rocks and shoreline have always stirred my soul.*

Along the shoreline runs an old aqueduct dating back to the Romans. The graceful arches and enduring strength and durability are a marvel to behold. I snap a few pictures of the brown stone legacy as well as the blue green waves too old for memories and then run to the water's edge to cool off. I feel invigorated and refreshed as the warm wet waves wash over me. The sand swirls around my toes and ankles as I venture deeper into the blue. Less than 75 feet from shore the waves surge and tumble in a roaring white crescendo against the rocks just below the surface. The shimmering white and deep blue clash in perfect splendor.

After a few hours swimming, collecting shells, and exploring the beach and aqueduct we leave for the excavated city of Caesarea. I am amazed at the size and grandeur of this once thriving port city. We walk along its shoreline complete with remnants of pillars, buildings, archways, streets, and temples. Its wall is like a fortress. As we travel along its extensive interior we make our way to the ancient theater. This theater easily seats several thousand people and has been restored and is in the process of being prepped for an upcoming concert. I am impressed at the ingenuity and ability of those long ago who constructed such amazing feats whose beauty and mystery still inspire to this day.

Next we traveled south to Jaffa passing through Tel Aviv on our way. The modern city on our left - pristine, yet crowded beaches to our right. The sun is slung low in the sky, yet the horizon runs far away - holding the sunset off for a few more hours. In Jaffa we stop to see from a distance where Simon Peter received the vision from the Lord that all food is clean and acceptable to eat (Acts 10:9-16) and then we visited St. Peter's Church.

Yet another filled day, but one of mystery, amazement, and joy.


*The following quote captures well the unyielding call of the sea.

"And it is said by the Eldar that in water there lives yet the echo of the Music of the Ainur more than in any substance else that is in this Earth; and many of the Children of Iluvatar hearken still unsated to the voices of the Sea, and yet know not for what they listen."
- The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien (page 8).