field trip

on friday i went with my class to visit two port cities on the mediterranean sea; one modern, one ancient.

as it was, we had a little miscommunication and the modern port of ashdod never got the class roster that the office sent for security clearance, so we didn't get in. but i got a nice shot of the gate:
so then we thought we'd just go to the archaeological museum in town instead. but we couldn't find it. but it wasn't a total waste. see, i got this great shot of a peacock plant!
finally, we made it to the ancient canaanite city of ashkelon. it was later conquered by the philistines. and then by the greeks, romans, byzantines, and finally crusaders.
look at the gate. see how deep the wall is? it would take a good long time to tunnel through! and a archway! amazing, in 2000bce??look at the cement. the sea was knit into every aspect of life:even the sand bears witness to its past. the ridges in this potsherd indicate byzantine workmanship.
they had an excellent slice of oceanfront property. (it's not as tropical as it looks)


and i got to spend an afternoon laying on the beach with one of my best friends, His words my only comfort.
we say thanks for coming. they say: