The Old City of Jerusalem

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From Leigh (with some editorial comments from Jim and a brief, tired journal entry from Dan):

Long day of walking.

Went through the Jaffa gate, up and up to Tower of David and citadel where we could see all around the Old City and beyond. Esp. Dome of the Rock (gold dome) and al Aqsa Mosque (grey dome). Learned "aqsa" means "edge" because it is at the southern edge of the temple mount, facing Mecca and Medina. Had guided tour down through various exhibits and wandered all around the that area of the old city (large walled courtyard). There were two Chihuly (sp?) glass pieces there lending an unexpected connectedness for us to Atlanta and Santa Fe. Next we went through security to go to the Western Wall. I went up and touched the stone and put a prayer in for Shell's sister, but it was something less than a spiritual event.

Jim's comment: I think Leigh and I are destined to have very different experiences of the wall. Part of it might be the mechitza which separates men and women...another might be the large contingent of ultra-orthodox praying. But neither of those things intereferes with my experience of a wall where hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of Jews have sent theit most heartfelt prayers to God. This time, Dan and I stood at the wall, touched the stone, said another Shehechiyanu prayer and I asked God for her blessings on Daniel.

Back to Leigh:

Next walked through Jewish quarter to the Cardo, underground remains of Roman period marketplace. Next we went to see the "Time Capsule": a silly but fun/historical movie (with moving seats) hosted by Topol (the guy who played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof).

Finally, lunch. Which was catch as catch can in the Jewish quarter. Then the Burnt House, an archaeological site which was the basement of a house during the 1st temple period. Presumably burnt down during the destruction of the 1st Temple by the Romans. There was a movie reenactment of how that may have happened with a priest's family as focal point.

Then, the Davidson center. Huge archaeological area south of the Western Wall and Temple Mount. Very nice exhibit, utilizing AWESOME interactive 3D computer program to walk through Robinson's arch.

Note from Jim: If you click on the Virtual Reconstruction Model link at the Davidson Center website you can get an idea of what Leigh is talking about.

Finally home with sore and stinky feet and really tired kids.

Walked 13,445 steps!

Dan's journal entry: I walked all day. I was exhausted! Then I ate 3 sufganiyot (doughnut ). Finally I returned to my hotel.

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Photos

Dan and Chihuly at David's Tower
Wild to see this here.

The Domes
The Dome of the Rock is centered in the picture and the al Aqsa Mosque is just visible at the far right.

Sam and Leigh
Here they are atop the Tower with the Dome of the Rock in the background. The "rock" (which is inside the dome) is thought to be the one on which Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac.

The Family at the Wall
Thanks, Howell for taking the shot. Sure we'll (or rather) I'll cherish this for a long time.

Comments

[Grandma Fran and]

lily sequoia ziff wants to say HI
Dear Sammi, Dan,Jim and Leigh. We love seeing your pictures and want to send you our love. Have a great time and Dan, message your tootsies for the day ahead. Love, Gram and Gramps and Lily

[harriet]

wish I was out shopping with you and 15% of the Argentinian women rabbis
Very busy time. Leigh, If I was there, I would have been right with you roaming with the women... love, h