Busy day!

It seems that our days get busier and busier! Today we went through a few major places in the Bible, and they definitely made a huge impact on me! I won't be as wordy this time, but here it is in a concise form...

-We started out at the Garden of Gethsemane. There is an ancient Chapel that is set up on the site which stunning. With large columns and stunning mosaic of Jesus in the garden on the front, the building never attempts to be cheery. When you walk inside, the alabastar windows give minimal light, and the dark room is illuminated by candles and mosaics of Jesus' betrayal flank the alter. Outside, the Olive trees are fenced off with aged fences. I did not realize that Olive trees can live thousands of years, so some of these crooked and weathered trees could have been alive when Jesus was there.

-The pool of Bethesda was interesting as well. If you can recall, this is where Jesus met a paralytic and healed him since he could not make it to the pool to be healed. I cautiously walked down the dim staircase of a ruined Byzantine Church to touch the water. I can see why the man did not get down there, it was hard enough for me get down there and I am in good health! This is also the city in which tradition claims that the Virgin Mary was born. The crusader church there is very plain, all stone with no color. Yet when we were inside, the acoustics were so powerful that I had goosebumps.

- The final two areas worth mentioning is the Temple and The church of the Holy Sepulcher. When we walked around by the Temple, we stopped at the Western Wall, also know as the "wailing" wall. After passing through some check points, the wall was off in the distance. As I approached the wall, we got pulled aside for not having m head covered! I did not have a hat, so they had a pile of disposal yarmulkas. So I went back and grabbed one, and walked up to the wall to pray. I felt really awkward, so I went to the wall, stood back about ten feet, and then walked away being afraid that I would break another rule that I did not know! The temple was neat too, seeing the ruins that remained from the Romans and just walking around knowing that Jesus was once there. I almost got left behind though, thats what I get for being too curious! Good thing I can move fast.

-I almost got sent back when we went to the Dome of the Rock. When they found my bible in my book bag, they asked me what my business was and where I was from. I told him from the United States, and I was with a school group. He told me that I could not take my bible with me, and that I had to give it back to my guide or I could not go through! So I gave my Bible away, and then went up with the group. The building is impressive, the shiny gold dome can be seen anywhere in Jerusalem, but going up to it was very impressive. There were still ruins from the crusader days laying around too, which was interesting.

-The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was amazing as well. When you walk in to the building, a rich Mosaic greets you along with the pungent smell of incense. I was definitely bummed that my battery died on my camera, because it was really crowded and I barely remember much. But again, the church was rather dank but artwork was absolutely breath taking.


That was my day today! Purim is still going on, so it looks like Halloween as people that are in their 20's and younger are still wearing outfits. It is really fun, and often times funny. So the travelling tips for today is do not talk to strangers... especially ones that are dressed in costumes! I had to be a fake boyfriend a couple of times today =) Tomorrow, it is off to Bethlehem! Goodnight!

JASON