Exploring Akko

So, I have some BIG NEWS that I haven't posted about on here yet:

One month ago, I moved to Israel!

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm here studying Hebrew and learning all about the culture, language, and everything else I can about this beautiful country. 

I still have some previously written posts that are scheduled for the future, which is good because learning to live in a new country (while also learning the language!) is a lot! But I hope to post as often as I can about new places I see and explore. 

For example, I went to Akko last week. 

Mentioned in the Bible as both Acre in Judges 1:31 and as Ptolemais in Acts 21:7, Akko sits on part of the only natural harbor in the entire Mediterranean, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world—dating back to 3,000 BC! 

Paul and Luke were there, because in Acts 21:7, Luke says: "We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day".

WOW!!! What an incredible history!!! (Can you imagine Paul and Luke sailing up to here?!?)

The city itself lies within the ancient boundaries given to the tribe of Asher, and since then, nation upon nation, from the Persians to the Greeks, the Hasmoneans, the Romans, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, the British, etc conquered and then lived in Akko, which is now an Arab village. Marco Polo sailed to the Orient from here. In the 12th and 13th centuries AD, it was the capital of the Crusader kingdom. 

One of the coolest things we did was walk through underground tunnels and into an entire city that is now mostly underground. It was from the time of the Templar Knights, and it was so cool (and this post is getting so long), that I will continue it next week. 

Stay tuned for the tour of the Knights Hall and Templars' Tunnel!