Jerusalem

So, after a pretty rough night’s sleep, we set off into Jerusalem for a day of touring.  We decided to start at the Via Delarosa… the commemorated walk that Jesus made from Judgement through 14 stages to the cross.

Today is the Feast of Tabernacles, which is a big deal to the Jewish people & makes things a lot hectic in the city.  We decided not to even try to go near the Western Wall… it was JAMMED.

We set out to find that there are many streets that are guarded by police and they won’t let anyone through.  There are gates only Arabs can go through and the city streets are more like tunnels than actual streets.  It is very easy to get turned around, especially when your way is blocked.

A boy asked us where we wanted to go, led us for a way, then told us to go up and right and we would be there.  He demanded money, Saying this was his ‘business’.  Chris gave him the equivalent of $1.25 or so & he fussed at him that it wasn’t enough.  We walked away.  Then we realized we were horribly lost inside the maze of the Muslim Quarter.  Thankfully, a nice man helped us and walked with us all the way to the beginning of the walk (for no charge).

He and Chris were talking most of the way about how the Jews were trying to take his home, and how they (Muslims/Arabs) like the Christians & Americans.  Along the way we encountered police escorting some Jewish boys through a crowd of screaming Muslims and a group of teenage boys yelling & running crazy recklessly.  The man had us quickly smoosh into the wall on the side to avoid being trampled.  The tension in this place is palpable.

The crazy thing is that as a tourist, we are exempt from the tyranny.  Both Jews and Arabs are fine with us… but they are NOT fine with each other.

We discovered that the Via Delarosa is really just a bunch of idols set along a random road in Jerusalem – nothing documented, nothing original.  And my heart hurts for this place.

I had no idea before what praying for the Peace of Jerusalem meant.  Now I know, and it brings tears to my eyes.

I think Jesus would be (or is) grieved by what people have turned this into… it’s a ‘shrine’ in set places in the name of religion.  “Holy Sites” made up by man… many arguing over who has the right location of biblical events.  Muslims sell Nativity scenes and crosses on the streets for money, but it means nothing else to them.  And Jews look at everyone not ‘like them’ and sneer.

We all wanted nothing more than to get out of the walls of this city.

We exited the Damascus gate, got some lunch (very yummy lamb kabob in a pita with salad, pickles & some green sauce that was terrific stuffed inside)

The cats here are like seagulls…

We then headed to the garden tomb, which was closed (but we know there’s nothing in there anyway :))

We were met at the door by some volunteers that gave us communion glasses & the elements because they thought we were there to attend a Portuguese service being held in the garden.  We walked through the garden and found a bench, prayed & had communion together on this day of the FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

We then walked on and saw Golgotha – it really does look like there’s a skull carved in the rock.

On to David’s Citadel (which wasn’t David’s, but set up by the Crusaders)

we found a lovely jewelry shop and the girls each got a keepsake souvenir.

We decided to come back to the hostel & rest before setting out again later in the afternoon.

On our evening excursion we shopped for a bit in the streets, stopped and enjoyed the view of the Mt of Olives,

pet a couple of local cats,

then exited the city gate

& walked and walked and… saw the beautiful moon,

and walked, and THEN we stopped for a bite to eat… I love food.

(Chris needs to download this picture…)

Back through the Damascus Gate & to our hostel for one more night… pray for quiet or no street life tonight.

On to Ein Gedi tomorrow.