Editor's note: sorry I haven't updated for a few days. The internet at the hotel in J-lem was craaazy expensive. Все...
After breakfast at hotel, we visited the Temple Mount in the center of the Old City, home to the Dome of the Rock and historical site of the Jewish Temple. In short, one of the most holy and controversial places in the world. We had to dress modestly and go through a security check before we could enter.
We then went to the City of David and saw the excavations of old Jerusalem from King David's time. Part of the group went through Hezekiah's Tunnel, which supplied water for the city when under siege. The other half went through the Canaanite Tunnel (aka the Chicken Tunnel). Hezekiah's Tunnel is a dark, wet walk through a small space for about 25 minutes. It was one of the coolest things we've done, said the kids.
Through a Moscow connection, we met the pastors of English congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, which is the only Protestant church within the Old City. It is a stone's throw away from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We got to climb 182 steps up (and down!) the tower to one of the best views in the Old City.
We were on our own for lunch and then gathered to walk the church of St. Anne, followed by the Via Dolorosa. We meandered through the crowded streets passing 8 Stations of the Cross toward the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Inside the church was chaotic and crowded. We passed the final Stages and stood in line to see Helena's supposed burial place of Christ.
Finally, we ended the day at Aroma, a fantastic Israeli coffee shop.
After breakfast at hotel, we visited the Temple Mount in the center of the Old City, home to the Dome of the Rock and historical site of the Jewish Temple. In short, one of the most holy and controversial places in the world. We had to dress modestly and go through a security check before we could enter.
We were on our own for lunch and then gathered to walk the church of St. Anne, followed by the Via Dolorosa. We meandered through the crowded streets passing 8 Stations of the Cross toward the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Inside the church was chaotic and crowded. We passed the final Stages and stood in line to see Helena's supposed burial place of Christ.
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