Today I bicycled about 6 km each way, from the German Colony (where I live) along the old train tracks to Ein Henya, a spring in the valley of Nahal Refaim, south of Jerusalem. Ein Henya is being developed as part of the new Jerusalem Park, 4 parks that form a greenbelt that extends over some 1,500 hectares (3700 acres), surrounding the city to the north, west, and south. They are still working on parking, landscaping, etc. at Ein Henya but you can visit.

I spoke to the supervisor and he said it would be about another 6 months before they’re finished and they are still discussing whether to fill the two pools when they are done (currently the water is flowing but rerouted and the pools are empty). So for the time being you will have to find other springs and pools in the area to enjoy.

The spring is typical of those found in the Jerusalem area, consisting of a dugout chamber on the side of the hill where the water flows through the water porous limestone layer and comes out when it reaches a layer of marl and clay that is more impervious to water.

A 39 meter underground tunnel channels the water to the ruins of a building, the apse of a 6th C Byzantine church, where it cascades down into a small pool in front of the apse framed by two pilasters. The apse gave the spring its Arabic name because henya is a round niche carved out of stone.

One tradition is that the church is named after Philip the Evangelist according to the story in Acts 8:26-40.

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

There he met a court official of the Queen of Ethiopia in charge of her entire treasury who was sitting in his chariot reading from the prophet Isaiah. He had come to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple and was returning home. The official/eunuch asked Philip to explain what was written and was so moved that when they came to the spring he requested that Philip baptize him there.

For another possible site where Philip could have baptized the Ethiopian see Ferrell Jenkin’s post.

Yesterday I did a tour of the western Negev to see the kalaniot, red anemones in bloom. The anemone (anemone coronaria from Greek Άνεμος ‘wind’) is a perennial in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family.

The human eye can take in a scene much more broadly than a camera which makes photographing a wide expanse of flowers challenging. The deserts of Israel, both the Judean desert at the Dead Sea and the much larger Negev triangle are fascinating places to photograph – I’d be happy to take you to explore and photograph. Here are some photographs that I took that I think capture some of what we saw.

This new year marks 9 years as a tour guide in Israel and as in past years this is an opportunity to review what has been accomplished. I managed to write 24 blog posts this year bringing the total to 331 articles in words and pictures (more than 1000 of my photos).

There were 65,313 page views by 37,160 visitors this year (mostly from US and Israel, some from Europe, Canada and Australia), down about 18% from last year. I am now less than 5000 views from reaching a half a million page views. The total number of people who interact with my website/blog increased, there are currently 390 (up from 325) people who have subscribed to my blog directly and another 528 (up from 430) people on Facebook who are notified when I post a new article. I also post updates regularly to my Facebook page, Israel Tours.

I had slightly fewer clients this year but those clients hired me for more days enabling me to effectively guide twice as much.

Again this year in the heat of the summer I hiked Yam l’yam, leading a family on the 3 day hike from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee.

I guide both Bethlehem and Jericho and can report that the newly uncovered mosaics in the bathhouse at Hisham’s palace are really something to see.

I am happy to offer Photography Tours for people who are interested in my experience and expertise to help them get great photos. Here is a sample tour of the area at the Dead Sea and another tour south to the Great Makhtesh.

I did my longest tour ever, an indepth 17 days with a couple and her parents (in their 80s) where we covered Christian and historical and nature sites throughout the country, with some great food and wine along the way and even 2 days from Eilat to see Petra and the desert from Jordan.

Wadi Araba, Jordan

Here is what Mom wrote which I think sums it up:

Dear Shmuel. We write to tell you what a wonderful guide you are, with so much knowledge in so many areas. You were truly professional and were attentive to our interests and more. You were so genuine, friendly that we felt you became part of our family by the end of our two weeks. Thank you for a superb, learning experience done in your special way.