I can't begin to tell you how much information overload we are all experiencing. We were in actual places today that are not "traditional". Many places we have been so far have been "traditional" sites or places where certain activities might have taken place. We first went to the Wailing Wall to see the place where the Jews pray. We saw many of them reading and praying at the wall. We then went down underground to see the many courses of the wall that were laid by Herod. The largest one found is over 500 TONS. The tunnel went from the Wailing wall to the end of the western wall. Amazing how Herod built the wall with those MASSIVE blocks and no mortar.
From there to the baths of Bethsaida which were much larger than we all thought. We entered St Anne's church and sang Amazing Grace. The acoustics are indescribable - it was absolutely heavenly.
After this walk we were driven to an archeological site where we all turned into archeologists. We spent 2 hours sifting through dirt that was excavated from the southeast corner of the wall around the old city - we found gold pieces, mosaic pieces, pottery, nails, and other artifacts. Very fun to find different items from many years ago.
After lunch we went off to the highlight of the day. We started on the top of the City of David and could see exactly where the city was located. We then walked through Hezekiah's tunnel. This tunnel was built through SOLID rock. They started at both ends and met in the middle. It is over 500 yards long - that's right 500 YARDS. It still has running water through it today. So we dawned our sandles and shorts and head-lamps and walked through the water in a tunnel that was no wider than the average body and in may places only 5 feet high. If you had claustrophobia - you were in trouble. It was AMAZING to believe that back then, starting at both ends, that they even came close to each other. There is a place in the tunnel where there is some adjustment where they met - but still pretty amazing.
We ended up back at the hotel early today - so many groups of people walked through the streets of the old city. We walked through the Damascus Gate and shopped at many of the shops selling anything and everything you ever wanted. Much haggling went on and many deals were made.
Tomorrow off to Bethlehem and the surrounding area's. We are starting to get sad knowing that the trip is coming to a close.
There is a new Album you can view today's pictures from:
http://picasaweb.google.com/promgmt/Israel2009SHC3?feat=directlink
You can use that one in addition to the others I have mentioned in earlier posts
Posts
