Jerusalem Day 3

This was maybe our busiest day. We started early heading to the western wall and temple mount.

The snowstorm broke branches on trees everywhere in the city, including on the temple mount.

Standing between the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

We were so lucky everywhere we went that the crowds were non-existent. This is the temple mount plaza, right next to the Dome of the Rock. This place is usually full of visitors.

It was a very peaceful place.

Standing in front of the golden gate. This gate has been sealed for centuries.

May Connor never complain that we never took him anywhere.

Dad has his own kippah that he carries around with him.

Yes, we went down and touched the wall. Notice that the lowest part of the wall (around head level down) is darker than the rest. That is because of all the grease from people's hands. That whole part of the wall is now smooth to the touch.

Jessica in front of the wall.

We made our way up to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I love the basilica above the sepulcher.

Just outside the tomb, people light bundles of skinny candles and then put them out...I assume to take back with them and give to other people.

Grandpa sure loves his grandkids!

Most people know that prayers are stuck into the western wall. Did you know, you can find prayers all over the holy sites in the city. These are located around the site in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where they say the cross was placed.

Isn't she beautiful?

On top of the church there are many coptic christian churches. In the back of one of these churches there is a tunnel that leads way back into the biggest cistern I ever saw. Dad slipped on these wet stairs and fell down a few of them (ouch!). Ask him to show you the video he was recording at the time.

We ate lunch at the Austrian Hospice. Connor was very happy to be out of the carrier and stretch his legs.

It wasn't exactly authentic Austrian, but it was still very good.

Connor was pooped halfway through today.

We went down to the Davidson Archaeological Museum. On the right is the end of the western wall. On the left are several shops that once existed just outside the temple grounds. Probably where money was changed and sacrifices were bought. These used to be an enormous stone bridge above this spot that led into the temple mount. The Romans made sure to topple every stone they could.

Jessica walking out onto the ramparts of the Davidson Archaeological Museum.

This was the edge of a former entrance to the temple mount. It has since been built over, but on the top right, you can see the edge of where the gate once existed. The savior would have likely walked very close to this exact site when entering or leaving the temple.

Taking a break on the temple steps.

They keep digging up a lot of these ancient baths "Mikvehs" where people cleansed before entering the temple.

Connor kept his happiness going nonstop.

When we came back to the western wall Israeli soldiers had surrounded the area. It was for a ceremony...we assumed new soldiers were being sworn in.

The last thing we did was a tour of the Kotel Tunnels. It was discovered that after the Muslims conquered Jerusalem, to level the terrain for future construction, they build over a huge are of the city that runs along the western wall. These tunnels run along the western wall, and give you a unique look at how the wall was constructed.

This is a picture of a "Herod stone" These stones make up the base of the wall surrounding the temple mount, and are the biggest stones I've ever seen. Yes, that is one contiguous stone where the tour guide is pointing.