ISRAEL - Chapter 6: Exploring & Experiencing Jerusalem

Having a few days back in 'hometown" Jerusalem :o) Jacob and I set out to explore and to "see" some of the sights...
Little did I know that by the end of the day I would be rendered incapable of walking....

First a stop in the Old City...




Nearly all road signs have a combination of English, Hebrew, and Arabic writing.




Then it was off to the "Shrine of the Book" the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls







A funny story accompanies our experience there. We got their to the "museum" mid mornin and were quite confused by the lack of attendants at the front, we couldn't find anyone to buy tickets from. In the meantime, a bus full of tourists arrived and were just proceedin to go thru security, so we did the the same. And then once we were "in" we found it more curious that there didn't seem to be hardly any people wanderin about, and no security people at designated spots. Almost deserted. So we went on to explore some more.....




I was so glad to have been able to show Jacob this really cool huge historical model of 2nd Temple Jerusalem, as I remembered it being sooooo cool. :o)




You could walk around and be like, 'that's where Jesus healed the blind man...and there's the gentile court in the temple...and there's Jaffa gate that we walked through today..." I'd love to have that thing in my backyard. :o)




Some cool chairs :o)




As we wrapped up what we wanted to see, we thought we'd check out a special exhibit. As we entered, a security man jabbered off something in Hebrew at us. Looking confused he motioned to another lady who broke out some English for us. "Are you weeth a group?" After we said no. "um...*she's looking confused*.....uh, how deed you get een?" We told her we just came through the front door. Looking at us rather dumbfounded, she says, "I'm sorry, but the museum eese closed. As we stood there dumbfounded, as people bustled about us now, it was our turn to be confused. But that was the only info we got, so we were done seein everything anyway, so and we left. :o)




As we stood waitin for the bus, I focuse on a lovely grove of olive trees.




Not, sure which version of this photo I liked better, so I'm posting both :o)










After we missed the bus (cuz i was takin pictures) we (i.e. Jacob) decided to walk back to the Old City, where we then bought out tickets to go and walk atop the Old City walls.




We had been waitin for a nice sunny day to do this, but since our time was running out, we just did it. However, only a few moments after getting on top, it proceeded to miserably rain. So we spent the next half hour or so "enjoyin" the drizzly view of Jerusalem :o)




Jacob tryin to get a better view. :o) If I didn't have a camera, I wouldn't let him do half the things he does ;o) But if it's for a good picture....ah, well....




If you can just imagine how dumb we look, like two idiotic tourists atop the city walls in the middle of the rain, for all to see and smirk at. Between tryin to shield my camera and myself from the blowing rain Jacob directed my view to these lovely flowers, as I didn't see them as I had "tunnel vision" with head bent scurryin from one shelter to another.




Sopping cold and soaked and hungy (we sound pitiful I know), we got to the end of the Wall at Damascus gate, only to have the rain stop and sky clear a little :o) Figures.

We ducked into the Temple Institute, where we got to see all the items that are currently being made for the new Temple. Pretty wild!







After we dried out, we headed out to trek up the Mount of Olives
As you see, a large portion of the Mount is covered in Jewish graves




The Golden Gate facing the mount, all blocked off now....but one day Messiah will enter Jerusalem through it! As a "deterrant" for Messiah's coming, the Arabs have filled the land directly in front of the Gate with graves.




An orthodox man wading through the sea of graves...










The long, steep trek up the Mount, past the Garden of Gesamane, we pause for a photo in front of the most amazing city in the world. :o)




This next picture reminds me of one of my favorite songs "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" (Jerusalem of Gold)

The olive trees that stand in silence upon the hills of time,
To hear the voices of the city as bells of evening chime.
The shofar sounding from the Temple to call the world to prayer,
A shepherd pauses in the valley and peace is everywhere.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem oh city with a heart of gold,
My heart will sing your songs of glory, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, forever young, forever old.
My heart will sing your songs of glory, Jerusalem.

The water well for those who thirsted the ancient market square,
Your golden sun that lights the future for all men everywhere.
How many songs how many stories the stony hills recall,
Around her heart my city carries a lonely ancient wall.




In the valley between the Old City and the Mount of Olives, an olive grove....




The Western "Wailing" Wall










Upon exiting the upon the Old City again, we realize that we could be late for our plans that evening. So with legs and feet screaming from mis and over-use from the day, we literally run across town, to where we are staying on Zion Square. After a quick change, we then dash down the streets again. At this point thoroughly winded and exhausted, Jacob and I split off, him to a Bible study and me and Mary are off to a night of Israeli dance class.

I can't harldy think of anything I enjoy quite as much as Israeli or "davidic" dancing, done usually in a large circle to very fun music. ;o) The teacher was a spry little Israeli by the name of Boaz, who had the spunk and energy of 10 7-year-olds. :o) So the night was such a blast, and I got quite good at ignoring the increasing pain in my legs. :o)




Hours later, every last drop of energy spent, many miles walked, Jacob and I started back to our place. We didn't make it too far, as Jacob had to call a cab, as I couldn't walk anymore. ;o)

The following day, we helped out with a soup kitchen ministry. The dear Arab man to the left of the picture is the cook, who was actually King Hussein of Jordan's cook for 4 years! We then packaged up food and took it to the streets to distribute. Right outside the city walls, I approached a an old frail man curled up alseep on the ground. Waking him with my shaloms, he slowly opened his wide eyes to stare up at me and formed the words "praise the Lord" from his shriveled, dirty face. Walking away, watching him munch away on his hot food, my heart swelled and then hurt, as it was suck a little thing....seemingly insignificant...




The Lord has so abundantly blessed me, and experiences like that remind me of such.....




A walk through the "Shuk" or the noisy outdoor market....a cacaphony of smells, sounds and colors.....



















Found this lovely scene of spring on one of our final walks around Jerusalem







Following is one of the biggest reasons we loved Jerusalem soooo much: the people. :o) Several countries/continents/states are represented here. I love Jerusalem for it's international presense!

This pic is a testament to all the fun that we had, all the laugh til it hurts moments....





And I'm very pleased to announce that we will be returning to Israel this fall! This decision just came about this week as we canceled our trip to Ukraine at the end of this month, upon prayerful prompting to change our plans. Excited to see what the Lord will work out - He's done amazing things so far!!!