Mt of Olives and Christian Quarter

A very full and busy day. We started on the Mount of Olives, the hill to the east of Jerusalem, for a classic view of the Old City and Temple Mount.

We then descended the traditional Palm Sunday route, remembering Jesus' entry to the city to the waving of palms. Several churches are along the way.

At the bottom we visited the garden of Gethsemane: a church, a cave the disciples may have slept in, and a church build on a 1st century grave identified as Mary's Tomb (mom of Jesus Mary). Very cool and reverent spot.

After a medicore lunch and an expensive shopping stop, we went back to the Old City. From the NE corner we walked in the Lion's Gate and visited St Anne's church.

Next, we followed the traditional route of the Via Delorosa, ending up at the (crowded) church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Finally, we went to St Mark's church, a church supposedly built on the site of the mother of John Mark and a site of activity of the NT church.

Finally, we should mention we saw LOTS of police and soldiers in the Old City, but saw or heard of no incidents. Roadblocks are being removed, things seem to be calming down.

And if you ever wanted to hear the Lord's Prayer as it sounded when Jesus spoke it....

Prayer at David's Tomb

On Mount Zion in Jerusalem there is a historic mistake. The Bible tells us King David was buried in David's city - the lower part of the old Jerusalem tel. Crusaders mistakenly thought it was on Mt Zion and built a memorial site to him there. That mistake continues today, with some Hasidim Jewish groups venerating the spot by making it a synagogue and a place of prayer. They usually pray with a rhythmic swaying, but this group really had it going when we visited.

This video starts out pointed at the floor since sometimes they don't want to be photographed and I was trying to be a bit sneaky.   But it does not seem like they cared.

South of Jersualem

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.,