Jerusalem • City of David • Optional Bethlehem tour
Then we visit the City of David, an archaeological park whose ruins shed light on the establishment of Israel under King David in 1004 BCE and the history of the Jews during Biblical times. A highlight of the site is an ancient 1500-foot-long water tunnel built by King Hezekiah in 701 BCE to protect Jerusalem’s water source from invading Assyrians. Our tour concludes at The Davidson Center, where we view a virtual reality reconstruction of the Herodian Temple Mount as it stood prior to its destruction.
We depart to visit the Israel Museum. Here, we’ll see the expansive model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period. We’ll also take a close look at the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in a wing called “the Shrine of the Book”; the top of the shrine was designed to look like the clay pot in which the scrolls were originally found.
We depart to visit the Israel Museum. Here, we’ll see the expansive model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period. We’ll also take a close look at the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are housed in a wing called “the Shrine of the Book”; the top of the shrine was designed to look like the clay pot in which the scrolls were originally found.
The rest of the day is at leisure, or you may join an optional tour to Bethlehem, which features the Church of the Nativity. Built over the grotto where Mary is believed to have given birth to Jesus, the church was one of the world’s most coveted holy sites for centuries, and was both captured and defended by a succession of armies. The tour also includes a visit to Shepherds’ Field, where an angel is said to have announced Christ’s birth.
Dinner at Berta - Carole's birthday.
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Tuesday September 19
Leaving the hotel at 8:15 am to meet the bus.
This sign said it.
Yael showed us an old photo how it looked not too long ago before the archeological find and excavations.
But first we saw a 3-D movie.
There were some excavations directly it seemed right under the gift shop where we spend a little too much time. We did learn about the old coins they found in the excavations and that was interesting.
It is unbelievably incredible how complicated and clever all these buildings were 2000 years ago. The tunnel is the water system underneath the road. Water was one of the biggest problem since there were so few springs.
We walked through this for quite a while uphill. It was very narrow at times.
Until we came to the underground city wall again where the exit was.
At the end of this walk some wanted to go to the Wailing Wall again. The "proper outside" one this time. It didn't take long. Some of us just waited in the shade.
Then the bus took us to the Israel Museum to see the model of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The model was huge and we walked all around.
The exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls was very interesting. But we were not allowed to take photos. James just took a couple in the entry hall before we were told that.
The rest of the museum was closed at this time. Something about opening at 4 pm instead morning but it was not a problem for us. We had signed up for the optional tour to Bethlehem anyway.
I think there were 9 of us for that. The others including Yael were dropped off at the hotel. Our driver Selman is Palestinian and can easily take us there. In Bethlehem a local tour guide joined us just for this.
But first lunch which was not included. But we were taken to the Christmas Tree Restaurant. We had the choice between falafel and chicken (in pita).
At first glance Bethlehem seems quite a tourist town which we had totally expected. We had no high expectations and even contemplated whether we should do the optional tour. We decided we might as well since we had come so far.
We went from lunch first to the Shepherds' field.
Our local guide was Ashraf and he told us that he was an Arab Christian. He told us a lot and (you know me) I asked him a lot of questions too.
We went into a cave. He told us tradionally shepherds would bring their flock into a cave for the night to keep them safe from wild animals etc. It also gets cold in the nights. Big differences between day and night temps.
It would not have been bricked off like this today since it has been made it into a chapel.
He told us that it was very significant that baby Jesus was laid into a manger which was not like the wooden crib we know in our country. A manger was made from a stone hollowed out depending on what animal was bring fed. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of those.
We had a glimpse into the Valley passed the church and he pointed out some beduins who lived just like the shepherds.
We walked
back to the entrance and the bus. The bus takes us up the town (quite a hill!) and parks in s bus garage.
James took this photo from the bus. Stars and Bucks = reminds you of something?
We walked to the church of the Nativity.
Well, that was an experience.
We went into it through a tiny door (but about that later).
The church was very much under construction. It also was overrun with busloads of people. Our guide told us it would take hours to stand in line and he would try to take a shortcut. It was awkward to say the least.
When we were finally in the holiest of holies it was a pushing and a shoving. There seemed to be a huge group from Italy. Everyone needed to kneel down and kiss the floor and touch the 14 point star etc etc.
When I thought it was my turn and told their guide I only wanted to take a photo, he told me to google on it. That was a better photo anyway. I was so shocked.
The Grotto of the manger was right opposite. You can see it in the previous photo under the blue baldachin.
The church has survived major earthquakes and Ashraf told us why. It has beautiful mosaic floors which are still being preserved and also on the walls.
We couldn't really see much of the church which was a shame.
Leaving how we came in.
I commented to our guide that this is not your typical front entry of a church. He made us look at the facade. You could actually see several previous openings.
He told us that pilgrims came with camels and horses and that they brought their animals with them into the church. This was not liked so the first adjustment was made. Camels could not come in any longer but horses still could. So the next adjustment was made.
The church is managed by at least three different denominations having each their distinct cross on the roof. Some even made lovely shadows.
Here is a link to the Church of the Nativity for more information and better photos.
Then Ashraf walked us to the bus (past a gift shop with things made by local Christians) and Selman brought us back to the hotel.
I must say that I learned a lot from Ashraf but I have to do some research on it. It was extremely interesting.
We didn't have much time before dinner to freshen up. The owner of the jewelry store came to the hotel. I had mentioned to Yael that I regretted not to have bought what I had liked. Since another person In ur group wanted to make a purchase and the jeweler came anyway he brought a collection for me to look at too.
I am happy.
We walked to dinner.
This was fun. Seating for an orchestra. When you sat on a chair, that instrument would play.
Dinner was very nice.
A lot of us had what was called something like "lamb cigars".
And it included Carole's 80th birthday.
Cava for everybody.
Surprise. Surprise. The cake was incredibly delicious (which you don't expect from a b-cake).
And on the way back to the hotel the clouds kept changing colors.
1 comment:
Enjoying the book you mention yesterday, I kindled it.
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