Picture Post

Continuing with the update... We had a free day last Sunday and so nearly everyone went into the city. We started off with a fairly large group, but we ended up breaking off somehow and ended up w/ just five of us. It was actually really nice to have a smaller group because we moved around places a lot faster and there were a lot less people to accommodate. I was with my cute roommate, Morgan; Kelsey; Johnathon (who was really patient in a group of girls); and Tarah (I haven't talked to her very much so I'm way glad she came so I could get to know her). Most of the other students were going to Aladdin's to exchange money, and we didn't want to get stuck in a huge line, so we headed for the Old City first.

Morgan and me, outside Damascus Gate
(Damascus is the entrance we use for the Old City)

After wandering the streets of the Old City for a bit, we walked over to the Holy Sepulchre since we finally had lots of time to explore it adequately.

This was taken in the courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre.

First, we climbed the 'Hill of Calvary' via these stairs:

(These are the stairs that put Vickie's to shame)

Then, we walked around the top, admiring all of the architecture. We took pictures of each of us touching the supposed spot where Jesus was crucified.

Touching the spot where Christ was crucified.

We walked back downstairs after this and saw Golgatha. I was a little confused what we were looking at on that one. Couldn't really make anything out. Then we went to what I guess would be called the basement of the Church. The Crusaders believe they found remnants of Christ's cross down there. (Brother Chadwick thinks they really just found parts of the wooden beams that used to be in the ceiling of the church, and that they were confused about what they had found) There were a few different areas in the basement commemorating this 'find', as well as a section that was closed off where they had found the actual wood.

When we went back upstairs we could hear a lot of singing and bells from all of the different church services going on inside the building. (A lot of different denominations 'own' areas of the Church) We eventually found one of the services in the little room that is by the entrance to the tomb we had gone in the day before. We watched the singing and chanting going on for awhile, and I must say it was pretty intense. Everyone around us was chiming in during different parts of the singing, and we just stood there like the dumb tourists we were. The incense was also really strong, and Johnathon speculated that the incense probably causes some of the special 'feelings' they have during these services. Excellent point, if you ask me. When we were getting ready to leave, a lady behind me pulled me aside and told me that the language they were all speaking was Aramaic, which was the language Jesus spoke. I kinda wish I would have known that sooner because for some reason I just assumed they were speaking in Greek. Probably would have made it even cooler to listen to if I had known that.

Greek Orthodox (I think?) service we attended by the tomb of Joseph of Aramathea

After we left the service, we stood in line to enter the tomb where Jesus was placed after His crucifixion. (This was a different one than we saw the day before. Yes, it was in the same building, though. Crazy, I know.) While we were waiting in line, there was a Polish tour group behind us. Johnathon knows Russian from his mission, so he was able to talk to them and understand them a little bit since the languages are kinda similar. It was fun talking with them and learning why they were here. We told them we were doing a study abroad in the Holy Land and that we are gonna be here till Christmas, and they were amazed that we are staying here for so long. At that point, I realized, once again, how blessed I am to get to be here, spending so much time focused on mostly studying the Old Testament and the life of Jesus. Christmas seems like a long ways away, and I can't believe I'm STILL going to be here until just before Christmas. It's a little weird to think about. I love befriending all of these people in the Holy Land.

One of the supposed tombs in the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was laid.

After seeing the tomb, we went and touched the 'center of the world' again. (I think I wrote about already doing that in my last blog post...) It's called the center of the world because it is exactly halfway between where Jesus was crucified and where His tomb was.

This painting is seen when you look up from the center of the world.
Christ's eyes are directly over the center,
allowing Him to look down on it, as well as the rest of the world.

Touching the center of the world

We were finally done w/ wandering around the Holy Sepulchre, so we went outside for lunch. These are the cool stairs we sat on while we ate.

Then we went to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, which is close by the Holy Sepulchre and represents the Prostestant denominations in the Holy Land. We wanted to climb the tower, but it was closed for the day so we settled for looking around.

Tower of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

Inside one of the rooms in the Lutheran Church.
(Yes, I am rocking a fanny pack. I dare you to use one and see how dang convenient they are.)

We went to East Jerusalem to exchange our money for shekels and made our way to Omar's to look around. He sells wood carvings and, while they are a little expensive, they look amazing. The best part is that since he mostly sells to the 'mormons', he has a lot of Mormon-themed carvings. He had just finished a carving of the Mormon pioneers and he also had Nephi, Captain Moroni, Joseph, Emma, and tons of others. It's gonna take me forever to decide what (if) i wanna get anything from him.

Loved this sticker in Omar's store!!

For our last stop of the day, we went to Zedekiah's Cave. This is under the Old City and is where they quarried (is that a even a verb?) the stones for the walls of the Old City. The best part? It was SO much cooler inside. And quiet. Small piece of heaven.

Entrance to Zedekiah's Cave.
(Props to Johnathon for taking the picture and therefore failing to be in it.)

Lesson of the day: lose your pride and sport a fanny pack. Just do it. Trust me.