Israel - 5 January 2012

Today we met the eight Israeli soldiers who would join us for the next few days. After an info session, we went to the Old City, starting out in the Armenian Quarter. We went to a complex where King David's tomb sat under the room where the Last Supper took place, over which was a mosque. Being at that complex was one of the most hopeful experiences of my life. Each religion, coexisting in one space. (Note: also there, the Free Masons.)

Falafel

Statue of King David 

Entrance to King David's Tomb

King David's tomb

The complex where King David rests, the Last Supper took place, and a mosque was built

Where the Last Supper happened

The Free Masons' symbol

We then went to the Jewish Quarter, where we explored and then sat on a rooftop at the point where all four quarters meet overlooking Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher were so close I could touch them.

After wandering around the Jewish Quarter a little more, we had free time to get shwarma and check out the markets. Corey and I wound up in the Arab market, which was apparently off limits, even though they never told us. Oh well, it was hands down one of the cooler parts of Jerusalem.

Shwarma

Corey in the Arab Market

One of the highlights of the trip so far was the Western Wall. The experience was overwhelming. For the first time, I had tiffilen wrapped around me, but when we tried to take my camera off of my neck for a photo, the tiffilen came off and my yarmulke fell to the ground. Oy. Yea, I was that guy.

Me with tiffilen at the Western Wall

Prayers at the Western Wall

Orthodox Jewish men praying at the Kotel (Western Wall)

Next, we were off to the Davidson Centre, where we explored ruins and the South Wall of the temple. Hadara (our guide) pointed out a hole in the wall which was thought to be where Mohammad tied his magic horse before ascending to Heaven to get the Koran. We also saw the Mount of Olives from afar.

The Davidson Centre

View from the South Wall (Mount of Olives to the left)

The last thing we did before dinner and games was see the Israeli-Palestinian checkpoint into Bethlehem.