Sabath in Jerusalem

Internet access at the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem...what a city. Oh dear, the last 30 hours have been interesting, this will be a long one:

Ok, so first we had a 3ish hour bus trip to Tel Aviv, the bus filled up with lots of soldiers, all carrying big guns and then people lined the aisles to stand for most of the trip. What a unique experience. So we finally get to Tel Aviv and I say goodbye to my bus companions, Mari, Jamina and Tommy and get into a taxi headed for the hotel and my momma. Unfortunately I was so distressed about leaving my friends and going off on my own that I agreed to 120 shekels and the taxi ride was barely ten minutes long...well live and learn I guess, I got there safelty.

Mom and I caught up as we strolled down the road to a small but lovely sushi bar. We had tempora, a big bowl of fried shrimp, fish and veggies. It was pretty tasty and then we went back to our hotel and went to bed about 9:30pm...we'd both had long days.

This morning we drove to Jaffa (Joppa), which is really part of Tel Aviv. This is where Jonah got swallowed by the sea monster (or where the story is based at any rate). We had a lovely time walking around tiny art galleries at this important Biblical port. We also went into St. Peter's cathedral which was lovely. After lunch on a porch overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with the wind on our faces with walked down to the beach and put our toes in the sand. A big wave came and got us both a little wet but it was worth it.

We then "went up to Jerusalem" (Ah yes Bible dork I know) We got a little lost on our way into town and almost ended up somewhere we shouldn't be. Unfortunately we arrived in Jerusalem right at the time where Muslims are going to pray. We drove around the walls of the Old City but we were not able to get to the Mount of Olives, where our hotel is located, and were directed away and went through the City of David. Fortunately we found a tour guide (of sorts) that took us to see St. James's grave, Yad Avshalom (or the Tomb of Abshalom), Hezekiah's tunnel (which we did not go through yet), and the Pool of Siloam (where Jesus healed the blind man). I stepped into it (it was ok!) and it was so cold that my feet were numb. It was out of the way so there weren't any other tourists there! It was a fantastic way to spend our time while waiting to be able to go up to the hotel.

When that was done we headed up and up and up the Mount of Olives to the very top where our hotel overlooks the temple mount and the Eastern wall of the Old City. Wow wow wow...That's all there is to say. We are staying in the Mount of Olives hostel which is small but great and very clean and safe. We headed out for dinner pretty quickly and ate in a great little back alley palestinian place and I had lamb kabobs.

Then we went walking and went to the lookout which looks over the Mount of Olives cemetery AND the Temple Mount. (Pictured above) We watched as the sun went down over the Old City and heard the prayers from the temple on a loudspeaker so that the whole city could hear...it was an amazing feeling just watching the sky get darker and feeling that wonderful night air I keep talking about and listening to prayers. Wow...it just is almost indescribable, it was beautiful. And then the song "The Holy City" popped into my head and then I kept singing it under my breath. Wow...what a place, what an amazing place. I will leave you with the lyrics, much love my dear family and friends...

Last night I lay asleepingThere came a dream so fair,I stood in old JerusalemBeside the temple thereI heard the children singingAnd ever as they sang,Methought the voice of AngelsFrom Heaven in answer rang"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!Lift up you gates and sing,Hosanna in the highest.Hosanna to your King!"And then methought my dream was chang'dThe streets no longer rangHush'd were the glad HosannasThe little children sangThe sun grew dark with mystery,The morn was cold and chillAs the shadow of a cross aroseUpon a lonely hill"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!Hark! How the Angels sing,Hosanna in the highest,Hosanna to your King!"And once again the scene was chang'dNew earth there seem'd to be,I saw the Holy CityBeside the tideless seaThe light of god was on its streetsThe gates were open wide,And all who would might enterAnd no one was denied.No need of moon or stars by night,Or sun to shine by day,It was the new JerusalemThat would not pass away"Jerusalem! JerusalemSing for the night is o'erHosanna in the highestHosanna for evermore!"