The Foreign Service Journal, February 2010

to a private spot, constantly watch- ful for scorpions and vipers. The workday ends a little before noon, and the long, hot walk back to the highway begins. After show- ers, lunch, long naps and a light supper, the evening often includes drinks and camaraderie at the kib- butz pub before an early bedtime. Weekends will usually include visits to other archaeology sites in Israel or a visit to Jerusalem, Nazareth or other places of religious or tourist interest. For FSJ readers, especially FS re- tirees, interested in joining a dig, I suggest reading descriptions at www. findadig.com or via the Biblical Ar- chaeology Review ’s listings. These vary by degree of physical difficulty. Hippos/Sussita is difficult for anyone not in good physical condi- tion at any age; but at 66, I can still keep up with the demands of swinging a pickaxe, lifting bucket- fuls of dirt, climbing along a steep slope, or pitching in to lift a large rock out of a pit. But bad knees, shoulders or backs will make it dif- ficult to do the work, and the days are hot in midsummer Galilee. Fortunately, there are other digs in the region that are less physically de- manding but still very rewarding. Anyone interested in joining us next year for work and fun among ancient stones (and occasional bones) should feel free to drop me a line at Stamm44@aol.com . ■ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 35 F O C U S The deeper you go, the farther back in time you travel: that is the rule. Minefield markings along the access path to Hippos.