Where it all began...my first International Trip! Intro and Part 1`

 Where it all began...my first International Trip! 

Sitting inside the burial chamber of one of the Great Pyramids in Egypt - Age 23

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My travel story began over 40 years ago, when my across the street neighbors and family friends, Joan and Tuck Morse asked if I would be interested in joining them on a trip to the Holy Land.  They had gone the year before, but wanted to go back.  This was a group from various churches - I believe organized by First  Baptist Church of Atlanta.  There were also several participants from the First Baptist Church of Jackson.  This time the group was going to form a choir that would sing in Manger Square in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.  That was an opportunity that I could not pass up.  I was in college and working at the Movie Theatres in Hammond most recently as the manager of the University Cinemas.  It was one of those things that I was so busy with school and work that I did not have time to spend money.  So, I had the money needed to take this fantastic journey.  In addition to the touring the Holy Land, the trip included Jordan, Egypt, and Vienna, Austria!  What a blessing to be able to go.  

You can imagine how seeing the sites of Jesus's life and learning about civilizations thousands of years old lit the fire of the joy, wonder, and excitement of international travel.  That fire is still burning bright over 40 years later.  

Part 1:  Petra, Jordan

Our journey to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve began in Jordan and the main attraction on Jordan is the ancient city of Petra.  It is one of the seven wonders of the world.  Called the Rose City, it is carved out of the rose-colored rocks in this valley.  To get there we had to ride donkeys and go through this amazing small gorge with the iconic view of the treasure.  

On the way Petra, in the Jordan countryside.  

Moses' Spring

The image shows 

Ain Musa

, also known as 

Moses' Spring

, located in Wadi Musa, Jordan. The site is a spring that, according to local tradition, is where Moses struck a rock with his staff to bring forth water for the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. The town of Wadi Musa itself translates to "Valley of Moses" in Arabic. 

The Arabic text "حافظ" (Hafez) is visible on a rock in the image. The spring, which is housed within a simple, three-domed structure, is a significant religious and historical site that still flows with fresh water today.  (Google AI Image Search)