| From Masada we drove to Jericho, considered one of the oldest cities in the world. More than twenty civilizations have been found here, and archaeological excavations have discovered the remains of a Canaanite tower dating to 7000 B.C. It was in Jericho that Joshua made the walls �to come tumbling down.� And today, just like in Biblical times, Jericho is an oasis in the middle of the desert. Once again, only because we had a Palestinian driver and guide were we allowed into this Palestinian Authority controlled city. It was hard to believe that just several weeks earlier Israeli soldiers had entered Jericho to retrieve a high-ranking Palestinian prisoner after the political scene had changed with Hama�s election into power; now only a demolished prison remained. But, most special of our memories will be the waves and smiles we received from Palestinian adults and children as our bus drove through the streets. Only a few tourist buses have returned to Jericho, and we, the tourists, signified their hope for a brighter future. |
