Ok now I love it even more...

Today reassured me that I am going to be able to do this for two more weeks.  The first day was really tedious work and I didn't find much at all but today was great.  As I am getting to know the site better and to learn the history of it more completely, I find myself in awe of this opportunity.  Today myself, Vanessa and Amy worked primarily excavating two Roman vessels (vessels refers to any sort of pottery)  from the 1st century.  The two eventually uncovered about 5.  At least 2 of these pots are the first pots that are whole (though broken) enough to do restoration on that have been found there in years.  That's really cool that I got to work on excavating them. 
It was absolutely incredible to be gently uncovering these.  There was ash underneath them (several were cooking pots) and there was even black burned onto the bottom from where they had been place over an open flame.  Knowing that I was the first person to touch these pots in almost 2000 yrs was a pretty incredible thought.  I just sat and let that sink in for a few minutes.  

There is also a ton of hard labor to be done.  We are basically moving dirt layer by layer. I cannot even begin to count how many buckets of rocks and dirt I moved and sifted through today.  We all come back disgustingly dirty every day.  Its great.

I am definitely turing into a nerd while I'm here.  I think I take notes more than anyone else I see at the site (aside from those running the site).  I just want to remember all that I'm hearing and get to know this place even better.  If I could take you all on a tour here you would probably roll your eyes at me because I get so excited about the littlest stuff.  Even some of my co-diggers have made fun of me a few times. :)

In a couple hours a small group of us is going to climb a neighboring mountain to get  a great view of the Sea of Galilee.  Then we will be dressing up for dinner because tonight starts Shabbat (from friday sundown to saturday sundown--the jewish day of rest).  

I have lots of pics but haven't been able to upload them yet.  i promise to do so soon.  I am sorry if this is a bit scattered but I am in a hurry today.  this weekend I'm traveling to Nazareth and some surrounding areas...that is just weird to say.  I am going with Dr. Elizabeth McNamer--a 72 yr old british professor from Montana--the most fun personality I think I've ever met.  Quirky, genius, and one heck of a tour guide.  I'm sure we'll have stories from the weekend. 

-Haley Kate