We spent all of today in the old city of Jerusalem. Personally, I think this is the most amazing place on the earth. We started with the Temple Mount, now the home of several Islamic mosques and sacred sites--especially the Dome of the Rock.
After that, we went to St Ann's church; a Crusader church with amazing acoustics and a echo that lasts about 8 seconds.
We visited a water storage pool built by Herod 2000 years ago and still in great shape.
After that, we turned into the Moslem quarter where many people still live and shop. I love the sights, sounds, and smells of the old city life here. It is the most exotic part of Jerusalem.
Our guide, Mike, treated us to a tradational Palestinian treat---don't ask me to remember what it's called. People come from all over to buy it from this place and it was very good.
We then went to one of my favorite places, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Like the church in Bethlehem, it suffers from being loved too much and was choked with crowds. It's hard to appreciate the place with it is that full.
Still, there are some stunning views.
In the Jewish Quarter, we visited a mansion that had been destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. It is now under a building. I think this very well could be the house of Annas (read John's Gospel).
Here is a model of what it would have looked like 2000 years ago.
After that, we dropped down to the Western, or Wailing Wall for a visit.
Then on to the site of a 1st century road by the corner of the Temple mount, one Jesus and the disciples would have walked on.
By now, feet are starting to get tired.
Here we sit on the steps leading up to the Temple, a place I think Peter preached on Pentacost and the church was born.
We finished the day walking through the 2800 year old water tunnel built by King Hezekiah. It is quite the adventure. Ariana had her camera (and I did not) so you get a rare pictue of me.
Another view (Tom Brittan in the distance)
Yet another truly amazing day. We head to the Dead Sea tomorrow.
We spent all of today in the old city of Jerusalem. Personally, I think this is the most amazing place on the earth. We started with the Temple Mount, now the home of several Islamic mosques and sacred sites--especially the Dome of the Rock.
After that, we went to St Ann's church; a Crusader church with amazing acoustics and a echo that lasts about 8 seconds.
We visited a water storage pool built by Herod 2000 years ago and still in great shape.
After that, we turned into the Moslem quarter where many people still live and shop. I love the sights, sounds, and smells of the old city life here. It is the most exotic part of Jerusalem.
Our guide, Mike, treated us to a tradational Palestinian treat---don't ask me to remember what it's called. People come from all over to buy it from this place and it was very good.
We then went to one of my favorite places, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Like the church in Bethlehem, it suffers from being loved too much and was choked with crowds. It's hard to appreciate the place with it is that full.
Still, there are some stunning views.
In the Jewish Quarter, we visited a mansion that had been destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. It is now under a building. I think this very well could be the house of Annas (read John's Gospel).
Here is a model of what it would have looked like 2000 years ago.
After that, we dropped down to the Western, or Wailing Wall for a visit.
Then on to the site of a 1st century road by the corner of the Temple mount, one Jesus and the disciples would have walked on.
By now, feet are starting to get tired.
Here we sit on the steps leading up to the Temple, a place I think Peter preached on Pentacost and the church was born.
We finished the day walking through the 2800 year old water tunnel built by King Hezekiah. It is quite the adventure. Ariana had her camera (and I did not) so you get a rare pictue of me.
Another view (Tom Brittan in the distance)
Yet another truly amazing day. We head to the Dead Sea tomorrow.
