Jerusalem 2008

So part of our ventures to the Middle East included a day trip up to Jerusalem. What a great city for history! We ended up leaving our hotel in Taba Heights at 2:45 am. Yes, that is correct. It took 2 HOURS to get through Eypgt/Israel border control. 2 hours. It was pretty intense, and quite boring.

Our bus trip up to Jerusalem included a very BRIEF stay at the Dead Sea. It is 140+ feet below sea level... the lowest point on Earth. And 37% salt. So you float in the water. Unfortuately we were only there for about an hour, so didn't get a chance to float in the water. But we did take some Great pictures and buy some lovely Dead Sea lotions and Bath Salts.

Jerusalem is a city like no other. You would need at least 3 days to even scratch the surface. Our tour guide used the Bible for reference points, which made it totally cool. You could relate and picture all those stories you heard in Sunday school. It finally makes sense.

We walked through the Garden of Gethsemane, The mount of olives and the Via Dela Rosa...which ironically is now a HUGE Bizzarre of merchants. The place where Jesus was crucified was a hill, turned into a church and surrounded by a shroud of gold decorations. Very different than what you think it will be.

The old temple that Herod built was interesting to see. The old city was not that big at all. The wailing wall, amazing. All that paper stuck in the cracks of prayers of people looking for answers. We were there on the Sabbath, so unfortunately I only have 1 shot of the wall (you're not supposed to take pictures on their holy day).

Jerusalem was a fantastic experience, and everything seems so much clearer. I would like to go back one day and really experience the city for what it's worth. The city that King David was born is not that far away, neither is Bethleham. How cool to go visit Bethleham. 6 miles down the street.

We will return, I'm quite sure.