Jeruselem is a feast of senses and emotions. All the things you learned about in school (and any religious study) now stand in front of you. This city of faith and geopolitics is alive, beautiful, and if I may add, a bit filthy.
I spent the first day walking around before my tour started. I didn’t have much time as I promised the hotel I would be back by 2pm to change rooms (complicated story here). I found myself at the Jaffa Gate and then at the Tower of David (aka The Citadel). What an amazing introduction to Jeruselem.
The view from the top of the tower was even more stunning.
Day two the tour began. It all seems like somewhat of a blur now…all the things you see, hear and feel. Three major faiths consider this city holy and you see them all living and praying here. Walking through the old city is a bit overwhelming…a mix of shopkeepers, religious pilgrims and secular tourists like us.
Entering the Holy Seplecur Church is an excercise in patience. So many people queuing up to touch things they believe Christ touched. Since the church was so croweded, one of the guys on my tour, Vladimir, and I got up at 3 am the next day to see the church at dawn. We left the hotel at 3:30 am and armed with nothing but Google Maps, we somehow found the chukrch. Actually, if it weren’t for two muslim ladies who pointed us in the right direction, we might still be wandering. It was worth it.
After spending an hour or so in the Church, Vlad and I got a taxi up to the Mount of Olives to view Jeruselem illuminated at night before the sun rose. Again, totally worth it.
After a couple of days in the Holy City, we had our introduction in to the politics. That’s another post. I will let you enjoy these photos first.
Before I sign off, I would like to tell you that WordPress changed the software for blogs. The new one is terrible, AND, they have removed the spell check. UGH!