Ask me sometime about the incident where we were very briefly "trapped" in one of the tunnels. I learned definitively that I am indeed claustrophobic! But alls well that ends well.
After emerging from the tunnels we walked the Via Dolorosa, the path recognized by many Christians as the path Jesus took from his condemnation by Pilate, to being crucified and laid in the tomb. There are fourteen "Stations of the Cross" that you visit along the way. Here are some photos from that path:
The path culminates at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, considered to house the spot where Jesus died on the cross,
as well as the "Holy Sepulchre," or tomb of Jesus:
Christians from all over the world come to visit every year. The church was packed and a service was going on so organ music filled the space, which was an added bonus to the experience of being there.
We also visited the Wailing Wall (or Western Wall) a sacred spot for Jewish people. The wall is a portion of a retaining wall from the Second Temple and Jewish people come here to pray:
We ended the day by visiting both the Israeli Museum, which houses portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and also the Holocaust Museum. A very emotional way to end the day.
We started out bright and early this morning to visit the City of David, the oldest part of Jerusalem and believed to be the sight where King David captured the city from the Canaanites:
We got to meet and talk with several archeologists today about their work. And we have also heard many perspectives on life in Jerusalem. It is a lot to process and I'll have much to share.
For now I leave you with these photos of the Damascus Gate, one of the gates leading into the Old City. The gate is right across the street from our hotel here in Jerusalem. The first photo is of the gate during the day. The others are of a light show where children's artwork is projected onto the gate at night.
Shalom,
Lisa
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