Jerusalem on Tuesday

Jerusalem was wonderful; our guide was delightful & knowledgeable so we had a fabulous, but thoroughtly exhausting time. First we stopped at an ancient tomb as in the time of the second Temple and Jesus. She showed how the circular stone works and how it would take several very strong people to roll is away. Leaving there, the driver dropped us off at the Dung Gate and from there it was all on foot.
Damascus Gate

The Davidson archeology Center was our next stop. The exhibits explain the growth of the city from Iron Age (Old Testament) times through its destruction in 70 AD. It was a good orientation for the walk. We visited the Western Wall, and I managed to fall off a platform while attempting to place a prayer in the cracks.

We proceeded through metal detectors to a huge piazza area. We followed the stations of the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried the cross to Calvary which is inside Holy Sepulchre Church. The Church is divided between six Christian denominations, and a Greek Orthodox monk chided me to cover my legs. ( I borrowed a scarf from Merilyn) It was all very fascinating. What I take with me from that tour is the overwhelming melange of colors, smells, cultures, foods -- words are insufficient.