The Old City of Jerusalem

What a day we had today – physically taxing, emotionally fulfilling and spiritually uplifting. We began this morning with an early breakfast and on the bus by 8 AM. From our hotel – the Olive Tree – we drove to the Western Gate of Old Jerusalem. This began our walking tour that lasted until 3 in the afternoon.
We entered the old city via the Western Gate, and proceeded immediately to the Wailing/or Western Wall. Here the women were separated from the men, and each had the opportunity to go up to the wall and touch it, or place a prayer in the crevices of this ancient wall. Most of us did take the opportunity to say or deliver a prayer – the writer’s prayer was for peace and increased understanding between cultures and religions of this land, and the world.
We then went back through the security gate, and entered a line to go up to the Temple Mount, which is an area sacred to the Moslem Community. Here we enjoyed gazing at the beautiful golden dome of the Dome of the Rock. Mohammed gave us some information about the Moslem faith, and explained about the several structures that were in the square. We took the opportunity to walk around the square and take several pictures of this prominent building.
Our next stop was St Anne’s Church with its amazing acoustics. We took the opportunity to sing the Lord’s Prayer, and the next group sang Amazing Grace – both of which sounded wonderful due to the amazing acoustics in the building.
Then on to the Pool of Bethesada – which is only partially excavated. The structure is non the less very impressive, and the cistern still holds water as Ginger and Barbara discovered when they went down to the underground level.
Then we traveled the “Way of the Cross” , or the “Via Dolorosa”. Pat had brought a book on the walk, so shared the readings at each stop. Some were elaborate, as the sanctuary that was build for the first few stops, some were simply notations on the wall – for stops such as the stop made when Rachael wiped Jesus’ face. The final stop was Church of the Holy Sepulchre which signified the crucifixion, the death and entombment of Jesus.
By this time we were somewhat overwhelmed by the crowds, the heat and the incense, and we had been walking for over 4 hours, so we were ready for a wonderful break for Falafel and Schwarmen and something cold and wet to drink. Mohamed took us to a lovely little restaurant in the middle of the market. We enjoyed our lunch, and then we had the chance to enjoy a bit of shopping. A bit of effective bargaining provided some great purchases.
Then we went on to view the Tomb of David and the Dominito Monastery which is what some believe to be the burial place of Mary (though the Turkish people believe she died and was buried on their Western Coast near Ephesus.) We then wandered through the Jewish Quarter where we gazed at a reconstructed Roman Street.
We then visited a room which could have been similar to the Upper Room where Jesus celebrated the PassOver with his disciples. It is a lovely room, with a roof that provided an amazing view of Jerusalem, and also the chance to meet and chat briefly with a few Israeli soldier’s (of the feminine persuasion.)
Then onto meet our bus (which got tied up in the rain-delayed traffic) and onto the Garden Tomb. This lovely peaceful setting – might likely have been the place of crucifixion (the place of the skull) and the entombment of Jesus following his death. It is, and was in the past a garden, and there is a tomb that was carved into the rocks as described in the New Testament. After viewing the tomb, we went to one of the chapels where a communion had been prepared for us. Here Harry and Bill led in a communion that was shared by all. The communion cups – made of Olive wood were given as keep sakes to each person.
Just before arriving at the hotel we said good bye to our driver Badi – who goes on to another tour tomorrow, and returned to our hotel for another lovely dinner, and a few drinks courtesy of Rostad.
This evening we will prepare for a ‘wind-up’ day tomorrow. To take care of last minute shopping, packing, and perhaps even some time for reflection and swapping phone numbers.