Sunday Evening Jerusalem

Wow, today was also very full...we've been literally walking our butts off...haha.

This morning we started out early because the Temple Mount is only open a very short amount of time for Non-Muslims. We walked across the temple court and saw the beauty of the Dome of the Rock...don't get confused kids, this is not a Christian Holy site, the Dome of the Rock contains a rock that claims to have the footprint of Mohammed on it by Muslims. Jews consider this rock as the foundation of the world. This is why there is the argument. The Muslims are in control of the entire Temple Mount though now, which seems pretty unfair to me for the Jews. The whole thing is pretty large and I was trying to picture Jesus throwing out the sellers, something Mom and I have discussed walking though the markets.

Next we headed down to pray at the Western Wall, something we were not allowed to do on Sabbath. We covered our heads to respect the Jewish tradition and went close to pray. I laid my hand on the wall and prayed with dozens of other women, some talking aloud, others reading the Torah. What an experience, this is the most important existing Jewish shrine. As we watched a woman brought a cell phone up and laid it against the wall, letting her friend pray there too through modern technology. In respect as well, we backed away from the wall so as not to turn our backs on it.

We then explored some of the markets and bought a few things, haggling the whole time (don't worry they expect us to). It's a little rough though, they're pretty pushy. But they always insist "I like you, even if you do not buy" which is fun, they're very friendly.

After lunch we went to the Skirball Museum, the museum where they have placed many of the important finds from Dan. I explained to her what can not be explained on plaques and then we ran into Greg, my area supervisor and David, the man in charge of the dig. They were very kind to let us go down into the store room where they are reconstructing things and Mom and I got to really see some more stuff, including some things that I dug up!

After that that we went back to the Old City and roamed some more and tried to find the Jewish quarter, which it seems they do not want tourists in because there is not easy way to get there and not much going on when you do. We gave up and went back to the Muslim and Christian quarters where they are delighted to have us around.

As we were strolling through the bazaar and heading in the general direction of the Jaffa gate we walked again by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and much to our astonishment we saw none other than Katie Couric and no I'm not being crazy or whatever, it was really her. We took some pictures, although Mom wasn't willing to ask her to get a picture with her, but we were the only people who recognized her, not shocking in the Old City really. But no one else cared who she was and didn't give her a second glance. She is very pretty.

We quit a little early today because our feet are hurting pretty badly and we may go out for desserts later...what a lovely day. Much love!!