After tonight’s dinner and the Tower of David Sound and
Light Show, the step count came in at 15,954 or about 6.3 miles. This is not a
vacation. It’s some kind of touring marathon but we are having a blast.
First thing this morning we returned to the Old City of Jerusalem and to the Temple Mount. Security was much like the ariport but we got there about 7:45 and were one of the first groups in line. The Temple Mount refers to the elevated area above the Western Wall that was the site of both of Judaism’s ancient temples. The site is also the third holiest in Islam (after Mecca and Medina) and contain the Dome of the Rock and the El-Aqsa Mosque. We were allowed to walk around and take photos but not enter into any of the buildings. The Dome of the Rock is where Mohammed is supposed to have ascended into Heaven and spoken to God. It is a beautiful building, at least from the outside and sits opposite the El-Aqsa Mosque. The entire site is deceptively peaceful and was especially nice early in the morning with few crowds.
First thing this morning we returned to the Old City of Jerusalem and to the Temple Mount. Security was much like the ariport but we got there about 7:45 and were one of the first groups in line. The Temple Mount refers to the elevated area above the Western Wall that was the site of both of Judaism’s ancient temples. The site is also the third holiest in Islam (after Mecca and Medina) and contain the Dome of the Rock and the El-Aqsa Mosque. We were allowed to walk around and take photos but not enter into any of the buildings. The Dome of the Rock is where Mohammed is supposed to have ascended into Heaven and spoken to God. It is a beautiful building, at least from the outside and sits opposite the El-Aqsa Mosque. The entire site is deceptively peaceful and was especially nice early in the morning with few crowds.
We exited the Temple Mount and made our way along the Via Dolorosa, which is the path that Christ is supposed to have walked on his way to his crucifixion. The Catholic Church has established Stations of the Cross to commemorate significant events during that short journey. We walked to all but three of those Stations as we made our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where the other evening we stood in line for two and a half hours to see Jesus’ tomb.
 |
| Station 3 of the Stations of the Cross |
 |
| Inside Station 3 |
Inside the Church this time we made our way to Golgotha and saw where the Crucifixion took place. I was surprised that the Crucifixion site was only about twenty or so yards from the Tomb.
 |
| The area lower center is where the Cross stood on Calvery |
The afternoon was free time and I had visions of a nap. The Lady who directs these things would not have that. She had been plotting with a small sub-group of our tour to organize a trip to the Garden of Gethsemane. Dreams of nap time dashed, we did go the Garden and it was beautiful and amazingly peaceful in the midst of this bustling city. The Garden is next to the Church of All Nations which we also visited. Across the street was the Tomb of the Virgin Mary and the grotto where Judas betrayed Jesus. I have to grudgingly admit that the Lady was right. I can nap most anytime. This extra activity was well worth the afternoon trip.
 |
| Olive Trees in the Garden of Gethsemane |
 |
| Inside the Church of All Nations |
 |
| The Virgin Mary's Tomb |
 |
| The Grotto where Jesus was betrayed |
Back at our hotel we had a few minutes of down time before we left for dinner. After dinner we went back to the Tower of David for a Sound and Light show reminiscent of (but more grand than) the Stone Mountain laser show.
I need to close this report and get to bed because we are to be up at 5 am to prepare for our visit to Bethlehem.
Good night.
