Jerusalem Trip

 Jerusalem...Wow what an experience.

We finally manged to get to Jerusalem. This was our 3 or 4th attempt and it finally came together. Special thanks go out to Jon and Jess who found us a place to stay (we rented a 2 bedroom apartment) and did the navigating. SO here is our Jerusalem story.
We left earlyish on a Friday morning. We had to drive to the northern boarder crossing and so it would be a 2 hour journey through the mountains

Some views out the window while S were driving.

 We arrived at the crossing and strangely enough the Jordan side of the crossing was a giant pain. We waited in line for a while. Had people cut in front of us and then the guy tried to get us to pay him to let us go. Yeah we were at the Jordan side for close to an hour. Then we crossed over to the Israel side and spent around 3 hours. We had to get the cars inspected, passports stamped (or well papers stamped), bags scanned, car seats scanned (I am so grateful to only have one kid!), insurance bought and then we were finally free! We were going to try to find a place to eat that J and J had heard about but we ended up at a bird watching place and knew we were a little off. We ended up in a town and just grabbed McDonald's because we knew the kids would eat it and it was quick. I think S and I are just going to start trying McDonald's in every country we visit. We were never very big on it but LL and her love of chicken has driven us there a few times now in a few different countries and yes it tastes different depending on where you are. We finished lunch headed to Jerusalem and just sat back and enjoyed the green grass and clean roadways...until we reached Palestinian. Where everything became brown and dirty again. Oh for the love of all that is holy, the road is not a garbage dump. Your trash just doesn't disappear because you threw it out the window or left it on the ground after your random roadside picnic. Clean up after yourselves people! We finally spied the wall surrounding the old city and found our apartment around 4 pm. Knowing that Shabbatt was starting in approx 30 minutes. Jess and I watched the girls while the guys went and found us some food for the next 24 hours, as everything is closed from sundown on Friday until sundown Saturday. The guys returned and we, well they, finished unloading the cars and we set off to explore the city and see if we could get some food. According to Israels tourism website most restaurants that are not kosher are open during Shabbatt...HA!!! Either we were in the wrong part of the city or they lie. We walked through what felt like a post apocalyptic world. There was no one anywhere. OK there were a few people walking hurriedly to their destination. There were no cars moving, the atms were even closed. Stores were boarded up tight, the light rail was stopped, it was just the weirdest experience. You felt like you had to whisper. We gave up the search for food and found a grocery store that was open. Bought the stuff for spaghetti and returned to the apartment. Everyone worked to get the girls ready for bed while I made dinner. LL had 3 plates of spaghetti and a cookie before turning in for the night! She was one full little chica.

Walking in Jerusalem during Shabatt

The view from our Apartment

We could look out at the Dome of the Rock and enjoy the sunlight gleaming off of it.

  We started bright and early the next day. We met our tour guide outside of the old city and he directed us to The Mount of Olives. We started our day at the Chapel of the Ascension.  Jesus is thought to have been in this area for 40 days after his resurrection. We were able to see what is thought to be Jesus' foot print from his ascension.

The Chapel

The foot print

 Then we walked down the hill to Pater Noster which is believed to be the site where Jesus taught the disciples the Lord's Prayer. We walked through the grounds where they have the Lord's prayer in different languages all over the walls and then down into the grotto where Jesus actually did the teaching.

The entrance to the cave. Everywhere we went there were groups of tourist singing hyums. Little Lady always wanted to sing too.

Looking down into the grotto

This one is for Uncle Itu

One of the halls that were lined with the Lord's Prayer

 After we left Pater Noster we stopped at a scenic overlook and enjoyed the view. We then walked down probably the craziest hill of my life to the Church where Jesus wept for the city and the people ( Sorry I cannot remember the name...eventually I will look it up).  We then walked back up the hill and man my legs were burning. At this point I really wished S was carrying LL and her 30 lbs on his back! We got in the cars and drove off to the Church of All Nations.

The Dome of the Rock off in the distance

The Old city and the new city behind it.

The Golden Gate to the city. It is thought that when Jesus returns the there will be a bridge from the Mount of Olives to the Old City.

 Surrounding the Church is the Garden of Gethsemane which is the location where Jesus prayed after the Last Supper with his disciples and where he was arrested. In the garden surrounding the Church are the olive trees and while they are not necessarily the original trees the Vatican has come out and traced them and they are from the original tree that was here based on a branch they have there and they are around 2,000 years old.  Anyways...inside the church (which is named the Church of All Nations because many nations donated to its construction, renovations, and maintenance) is Agony rock (Which would have been in the garden before someone decided to build a church over it.) This is the rock where Jesus saw and knew what his fate would be. He knew that they were coming for him. That he was to die.  Once we had experienced the Church and what it held we once again were back in the cars and headed to the old city.

The Olive trees in the garden

Mural in the church of Jesus sitting on Agony Rock

In the square is the original mosaic floor that was discovered. The designer copied it in the floor of the reconstructed church.

Part of Agony Rock that is located outside in the Garden. It has a carving of Jesus weeping on it.

A different Perspective of the Garden. You really get a feel for what it may have been like during Jesus' time

This is the front of the Church of All Nations.

 

There was a church service going on at the time we were here so we were unable to go and see the rock up close.

 Well as the internet is crashing and the pictures only want to load out of order this is the end. For now. I will try to post the rest of this adventure soon.