Caves such as this were used in the time of Christ to hold livestock during the night. Some think a cave like this would be what Mary and Joseph sought on the night of Jesus' birth.
Overlooking Bethlehem. We didn't go into Bethlehem because it is in Palestine territory and not so safe for tour groups.
Checking out the cave.
The lilies of the field were in bloom everywhere. I was surprised to find they were red.
Max and some of the others of our group pretending to be sheep sheltered in the cave.
This model of the old city of Jerusalem was an amazing place.
I just wanted to be "George the Giant" and walk around the city.
This helps to show how large this model is. It was helpful for us to look at it and get a better idea of where things were anciently.
This is a map of Jerusalem at the time of the second temple.
This sculpture is known as "The Harp." I know nothing else about it other than it is very striking and beautiful.
This place was a bathroom stop. It is an Elvis Presley resort. The decor made us feel like we were in Memphis.
Our great bus driver. We had him all but one day. He could get that bus into and out of very tight places. The other driver had a hard time getting out of the hotel parking lot.
Speaking of hotels. This is the Dan Jerusalem where we stayed for about a week. It was beautiful. The food was good, but we got tired of the same type meals every day.
There are many beautiful hotels in Israel. There is no roughing it here.
We drove out to the place where Samson lived as a child. I don't know how much the tour guide had to pay for the sheep and the shepherd, but they certainly added to the scene.
It was a beautiful day and beautiful scenery.
A very nice young man who came with his parents on the tour. He reminded me of my oldest grandson.
Our group reading about Samson.
Then we drove on to where David fought Goliath. Goliath would have come down this hill.
David and the Israelites would have been on this hill. (Of course the road wasn't there then.) He came down this hill toward Goliath.
There was a stream in the bottom of the valley where we found many small round rocks that would have worked well in the sling shot.
Max gave sling shooting a try. (By the way, the little guy is Restless Reyn. Our family is taking photos of him in different settings until our family reunion in July. He enjoyed our trip.)
An Arab area outside Jerusalem. We noted the difference in their farming method and their success compared to the farms of the Jewish people.
An olive tree with fruit.
The Western Wall. This day wasn't very busy because it was a fasting day.
The Dome of the Rock.
Dome of the Rock.
Max sharing with the poor at the Dome of the Rock.
A museum whose goal is restoration of the old city.
A Russian Orthodox church on the Mount of Olives. (Golden domes in the background.)
The probable location of the temple.
Graves outside the city gates. Some are Jewish and some are Muslim. The body is in the ground. The box on top is known as the weeping chamber where people go to mourn.
Two young ladies in our group learned why they should have worn longer pants while at the Dome of the Rock.
Walking was quite a challenge for her. She was glad when we went somewhere else.
Looking beyond the gates of the old city to the modern Jerusalem. All buildings in the city must be made of white stone.
Our guide was explaining several different ideas on "the eye of the needle." This is a small door in the gate to the city. It was used after the big doors were closed at night. If a merchant came with his camels and wanted to get inside, it would be difficult for the animals to bend down to get through this opening, but he didn't want to leave them outside the city walls. (It would be that difficult for a rich man to get into heaven.)Our guide also mentioned they did have needles and thread, so who knows the true meaning.
Shopping in the old city.
Gary wishing we would move along and get to more interesting things.
Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Another view inside the church.
This art work is all made of tiny tiles.
I missed this shot because it was dark in here. The stone to the left is said to be where the body on Jesus was prepared for burial. People come and rub the oil from the stone onto a handkerchief or such to take home with them.
More of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This wasn't one of my favorite places. It was dark and cold.
More in the church.
And more.
Then we went out to the Western Wall where two young boys were having their Bar Mitzvah.
Max and the other men in our group got to go over to the ceremony. The women had to wait on the other side. I should have sent the camera with him.
Our guide is explaining phylacteries.
Phylacteries: Amulets fastened on the forehead or on the left arm. They were small strips of parchment inscribed with certain scriptures and enclosed in leather cases.
Russian orthodox Jews.
The ruins of the city wall.
It is amazing the people so long ago could build such huge walls and such without modern equipment.
The stairway leads to the "upper room" of a building built many years after the death of Christ. Upper room may also mean a room in the upper part of the city or the part where the more wealthy people lived.
Inside the Upper Room.
Our group went to a quiet park on the Mount of Olives where we could spend time alone and read about the Savior's atonement. It was a spiritual experience for us.
There was time for meditating and also some time for photos.
We were sorry when it was time to leave.
Then we went to the house of Caiaphas or "the church built over the place of his house."
Then on to the fortress where Pilate's soldiers tortured Jesus.
The holes in the wall where someone could be tied while being scourged.
The Skull image of Calvary.
The Garden tomb.
Inside the tomb. Rock had to be carved out on the end in order to be long enough for the person buried there.
The tomb.
A very peaceful place.
