Jerusalem-Day 1

Finally! A trip out of Russia! Brian and I were blessed with a trip to Jerusalem to see the city and hang out with some special Alaska friends. During the beginning of the school year, we weren't sure if our school would allow us the time off, but the trip did happen! So, April 12th, we took a bus, train, metro, bus, plane and bus from Nizhny to Jerusalem, Israel. Our first sighting of the Old City. Here we are walking in to meet our friends from Alaska.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon and it was the beginning of the Sabbath for most of the city. So, a lot of things were closed. Here is a picture of the narrow streets/walkways inside the Old City. Normally bustling with people and vendors selling their many tourist gifts and memorabilia. 

The Western Wall or The Wailing Wall

One of the most surprising facts I learned about Jerusalem is how deep some things are buried. Roads that were around in Jesus' time are now under feet or meters or dirt, or other roads that were laid on top of them.  Just this wall alone has different layers that were added with different rulers or nations of people that conquered Jerusalem. This section of the wall is one of the most sacred site recognized by the Jews. This wall was not part of the holy temple, but more a retaining wall built by Herod the Great in the 1st Century BC. Only the bottom seven layers are from Herod's time, they are a bigger brick with an indented border. 

The next four layers up date from the Byzantine era, the next section is from the 7th century and then the top section was added in the 19th century. 

There is a large section on the left for men and a smaller section for women.  

On the woman side, there are two white doves who come and sleep every night in the same niches. Pretty amazing. Guess it shows women are special. :) 

Holy Rock Cafe. Fun. We didn't try it out though, we stuck to the more "hole in the wall" joints that served the best falafel, hummus, and pita bread. 

I loved the narrow walkways, sidewalks and streets. I took more than my share of pictures. Sometimes the camera just doesn't cut it though. Here we are wandering the streets. (A preview of day 2)

More to follow! Can't show you all the good pictures in one blog!