Samaria

Samaria is a place that tourists just don't go anymore. It was VERY apparent that we were one of the very few tours that had come through here in a while. It is in the West Bank and apparently isn't "as safe" as the other areas. However, we felt perfectly safe while we were here and our guides made sure they checked all the safety reports before we went. In fact, I felt guilty because the Palestinians wer SO nice to us (they were, of course, motivated partly by their economic struggling). Also, we ate one of the best meals of our trip here!

Kids playing soccer right next to the ruins!

Almond trees in bloom

Part of a theater, built by Herod, of course.

The ruins of Herod's palace and Rod waving.

I was mildly obsessed with this image of the barbed wire juxtaposed with the olive tree. It seems to be indicative of Israel's history and political climate.

Here is the man who owned the restaurant we ate at. He was sooooo very kind. We asked him lots of questions about what the food was and how they prepared it. This was dessert. It was a shredded wheat (nothing like the cereal) with a sweetened sheep's cheese in the center, soaked in a sugar syrup and topped with pistachios. It was TO DIE FOR! As we were leaving, he brought Chris another piece because Chris had been so interested in it and had eaten 4 helpings already!