9 hours and 40 minutes to Ben Gurion Airport
Prima KIngs, Jerusalem on Gay Pride Day June 26th, 2008
Haas Promenade - June 27th, 2008 the overlook of all of Jerusalem
Dome of the Rock straight ahead
Itzhak is the My Turn in Israel bus driver
Hezekiahs tunnels did not smell while there but when we came out we smelled like the sewer.
City of David
Vivi our tour guide came to Israel from Uruguay, then moved to Swaziland and then back to Israel. Showing the idols found.
In the tunnels-- some were very narrow some short and we walked with flash lights
Another part before we go into the 2700 feet that were actually carved by 2 groups till they met in the middle.
Coming out of the tunnel. In the middle there was a plaque which is now in a museum to show the spot where the two teams met. They thought this would bring water to Jerusalem.
Ruins in the City of David. In the tiny section to the right was a small room with a round stone and a hole in the middle - a toilet.
In front of one of the 8 gates into the city. Some of the holes are from bullets. King Suleiman built the City and had 2 builders create the building. He killed them so no one else would have the same building.
My group . Cars drive up and down these roads and some go in and out of the small gates.
A Mezuzah
Pillara of the Roman City. This is the Cardo.
In this part of the Cardo, there are openings for grain storage.
Inside the Cardo.
More recent mosaic of the City of David
the Western Wall
Black Dome is the Al Aksa Mosque and to the right a minaret
Dome of the rock and some more of the city.
An archaeological dig in front of the western wall
Getting closer to the wall!
The western wall on the womans side.
Women praying and putting paper into the wall
the Mens side
this is where they have weddings and some bar mitzvahs.
Mehane Yehudah Market right before Shabbat.
After dinner we came back to the wall for friday night Shabbat
Hassid with different hats.
soldiers at the wall
This group came down the stairs singing very loud and then started dancing around
Vivi thought we should light candles but the wind kept blowing them out
People near the wall are beginning to sing and dance on both men and womens side
The praying is just getting started
all the people watch or participate in dancing and singing . Many birthright groups.
As It gets dark, the singing get louder and the minarets glow green with the muslim prayers on amplifiers. At the same time, the church bells werer chiming.
40 years ago the Light Show of Jerusalem was on this wall.
Walking back to the hotel
Next day Shabbat, few cars, hot weather, I sat on the balcony and read my book.
Bobbi and I went to the Museum of Israel where the Shrine of the Book is kept
the Second City. This was in the Holyland Hotel and moved to this area. The owner of the Holyland hotels son died in the Independence Day war so he dedicated this city to him. Took 4 years to build.
Today - some of the items were found to be incorrect as the technology changed and were able to analyze more of the archaeology anbd architecture
It is still incredible. Herod wanted a fortress and so it was built
We went looking for the Western Wall- Oh thats what the red arrow is.
Hezekiahs tunnels
Billy Rose Garden- Many sculptures
This was a room of contemplation
A sarcophagus- very intricate sculpture on it.
The Shrine holds the 27 feet of Isaiahs scroll. Some kid was selling tubes with lids like above. Someone made him show them where he found them. In a dig they were able to save most of the writings. I saw them 40 years ago and they were put away until now the 60th year. It was brought back out for me. They also have the Alippas Codex and teh song of the Sea.
an elevator just for shabbat
Montefiore thought is would be a great idea for Israelis to use windmills for energy so he had them built. There is no wind in Jerusalem. Good try though.
This was Montefiores carriage that he used to travel all over Europe. It was in a fire 2 years ago but parts remain and it was rebuilt.
The Infamous King David Hotel- During the war of Independence the Irgun tried to bomb it to scare the British. The bombs were there and they told them to get everyone out. No one believed it and several people were killed and the Eastern side destroyed. It is a very expensive hotel and many dignitaries stay here but it has still been a chief target for terrorists.
These signs say happy 40th. It is actually for Jerusalems freedom 40 years ago during the 6 day war but I said it was for my return. This is the consulate plaza.
Ben Yehudah street. It is Saturday nite after Shabbat and we are all going to walk through the street.
