We headed into the Palestinian Authority area south of Jerusalem to visit Bethlehem and areas surrounding.
First we visited Herodium, a palace and a fortress built by Herod the Great. He also built his tomb there, which has only recently been discovered.
After this, we headed towards Bethlehem. We stopped at a traditional spot to remember the shepherds who were visited by the angel. Who knows if this is where it happened, but it was somewhere in the area, so a good place to remember the event, also the events of Ruth and Boaz.
Big stop in Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity is the second oldest functioning church in the world and is built over a cave that some believe Jesus was born in. After 1500 years it needs lots of work, so is filled with scaffolding and busy with workmen. OK, so maybe our guide sneaked us in the exit of the grotto to avoid the long line...I'm not talking.
Last time I was in Bethlehem I discovered a little family run restaurant that served traditional Palestinian homemade food. We had a great meal.
And yes, we did a little shopping. I like to support the Christians of Bethlehem.
Not a good picture, by you can see some people in flak jackets with "Press" on then. Apparently, there seems to be a daily rock throwing protest outside the store we were at and while we were there soldiers arrived and were firing tear gas. We didn't know it was happening until we were leaving and heard a tear gas canister being launched. Odd to have the kind of conflict while everyone else barely notices.
Back across the border to the Mt Zion section of the Jerusalem Old City, with a visit to a Crusader building that remembers the Last Supper.
Finally, we visited a church that overlooked the ancient City of David, a place that today looks like anything by an ancient city.
Tomorrow to the Mt. of Olives and the Old City.,
