Jerusalem

Dome of the rock and Church of Mary Magdalene in the back.

Mosaic of Old Jerusalem

Synagogue

Today we toured the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, visited the Western Wall, previously called the Wailing Wall, went to the Mount of Olives and finished the day at the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was a full day and I think we are all tired.

View from King David Tower

We saw all the different parts of the Old City behind the wall.  Learned that the Old City was built and destroyed several times, visited four synagogues and then had lunch.  Jerusalem is still full of contrasts.  You will see Orthodox Jews and Arabs side by side.  At the Western Wall, it is men on one side and women on the other.  An Orthodox Jewish man was dispensing blessings by shaking hands and when I extended by hand, he ignored me.  The guide said Orthodox men do not touch women that are not their wives.  The men that he blessed only gave a dollar for the blessing.  I told him too bad, I would have given $20.  OK, so it is not true, but I wanted to give him something to think about.

Every time we turned a corner, we were in a different century.  Also, very few cars are allowed in the Old City, so everyone walks.   The British mandated that all building would be done in sandstone or the sand colored rocks.  The City of Jerusalem has kept that standard and the city has a uniform look to it. 

Western Wall

Mount of Olives

Making Friends

The most moving part of the day was at the Gardens of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony.  This was where Jesus prayed before being crucified.  It is a somber church and it is very moving when you touch the rock Jesus prayed upon.  

Church of the Agony

Garden of Gethsemane