Tour of Jerusalem 2

Through Lion's Gate

This is the scene I saw right after climbing and climbing the hill up to the Old City. This is the interior of Lion's Gate, looking back on the gate itself. If you look closely at the window to the right of the gate entrance, you can see security cameras. These are everywhere in the Old City... the Israeli Army never lets anyone out of their sight.

The great sandstone color of the walls, road, and everything else in Jerusalem comes about because all buildings in the city are required by law to be made of Jerusalem Stone. It gives a great, unique ambiance to the city which is particularly noticeable in the narrow streets of the Old City. Enough talk, though... let's see it!

Ayako

Here's Ayako, seeking shade under the random wooden plank in the wall with me. It was SO hot, and we just bought a bottle of water to quench our thirst after climbing into the Old City.

Ayako happens to be one of the sweetest and cutest people in the world, and I was very lucky to have her along on this trip! She'll deny any compliment you try to give her, but feel free to continue lavishing them onto her because she deserves them. Intelligent, poised, very generous and giving with her time... and all this from a Japanese person!

This actually is the only picture of Ayako that I have. She always hid from me, as you can see by her too-late hand trying to block the camera here. Ayako: HA! On with the tour...

Ramparts on the Wall

This shot shows just a typical part of the Old City Walls. These walls were built in the 1100s (?) by the Romans, and they have been kept almost in their original condition. You can walk along the top of the walls, which I did, and you will see pictures of that trip later.

Crowded Streets

This is another typical shot: the main streets in Jerusalem when times are good. Full of lots of people and shops and hummus and fun.

You can see our ridiculous parade in the foreground, with Beth and Dan closest to the camera. This is the Via Dolorosa, the road marking the path Jesus is said to have walked with the cross on the way to his execution. It's a much happier place now.

Sixth Station of the Cross: Veronica's Gate

The biblical Stations of the Cross are placed in Catholic Churches (and some others, I would imagine) across the world. They mark events on Jesus' walk through Jerusalem to his crucifixion. This particular station is the Sixth, marked with the Roman numeral in the upper right. This is the spot at which Veronica is said to have wiped tears from Jesus' face.

Ariel Sharon's Settlement

This is a major intersection of Old City roads in the Muslim Quarter. As we walked along the Via Dolorosa, we came to this open-air part of the city, where we saw a giant menorah and an even larger Israeli flag draped over a huge house. Later, we learned that this is one of Ariel Sharon's homes. It's a settlement in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. Basically, Sharon is attempting to assert that he can go and live anywhere in Jerusalem he wants, even in the heart of the Palestinian side of the city. He further expressed this desire on September 28, 2000 when he took 1,000 armed guards to the Dome of the Rock complex. The Dome is one of the holiest places in the Muslim faith, and every day the Israelis deny Muslims the right to pray there. But Sharon, the man stripped of his post as a result of mass killings of Palestinians that took place under his command in Lebanon, is free to go there and anywhere else he desires in Jerusalem as well. For some reason, this guy isn't very well liked by his Palestinian neighbors. And, surprisingly, after Sharon "visited" the Dome of the Rock in September 2000, the current round of violence started. The Israelis then elected a right-wing hardliner -- Ariel Sharon -- as Prime Minister. Quite a coincidence, right? OK, back to the tour.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This is the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the place said to have been where Jesus was crucified. If you look closely on the right, you can see a crucifix that is used by tour groups to simulate the walk of Jesus. Every now and then, I'd see them walking down the Via Dolorosa.

Just Inside the Church

This is just to the right, I believe, as you enter the Church. The place is gorgeous. Just look at the stonework and the engraved passages in the archway... And, our group is here. Lisa has the knapsack, then there's Dan and Ayako. Whitney is highest up the stairs.

Golgotha

Here is the spot where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified. This long line of tourists waits to go into the small room and see the spot in the ground where the cross is said to have been placed. This entire room is gilded and amazingly decorated. The picture doesn't do it justice, of course.

Jesus' Rock

The rock upon which these pilgrims are praying is said to be the rock upon which Jesus was lain after his death on the cross. There are constantly people here, praying. Amazing.

OK, enough at the Church, because my photos just can't do it justice. Next, we left the Church, went into the Jewish Quarter, and then found the epicenter of Jerusalem -- the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary.

Erik at the Western Wall

Click for more Western Wall Photos

Click for more Dome of the Rock Photos

So, here we are, at the center of the controversy in Jerusalem. Behind me is the Western (or Wailing) Wall, the holiest spot in the world for Jews. On this site, Jews believe the First and Second Temples were built, which is where God communicated with humans. Those temples were destroyed, and all that remains of the Second Temple is this wall, the Western Wall of the temple. People come and pray there, leaving messages in the cracks between blocks. Again, amazing sight for which neither words nor pictures can do justice. More pictures from the Wall later.

Notice that the Muslim holy site, the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque, are immediately above the Western Wall. Indeed, these two sites share the same space. The Dome of the Rock is built at the place where Muhammed is said to have ascended to heaven. They call this area the Noble Sanctuary, while Jews call it the Temple Mount. One of the major problems in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is determining how this very spot can be shared equitably. Right now, Palestinians are denied access to the Noble Sanctuary, even if they want to pray there. Making this site part of the Palestinian State, free for all Muslims from all over the world to visit, is a major goal of the Palestinian freedom movement.

Tour of Jerusalem

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