Jerusalem's Modern Manifestation (V-Part I)

Thoughts on places in Jerusalem:

1. The Damascus Gate is probably much as it was throughout the last 2000 years or so...bustling, loud, immense, crowded, and sometimes smelly. It engages you in all your senses, really...food, drink, household things, clothing, etc. I don't think that there are any child-labor laws in this country, as children as young as five (from what I can discern) are working in the stalls here to earn money for their families. That being said, the experience was of being part of a history here that is almost as old as recorded time.

2. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was the single most important event for me while in Jerusalem. We happened upon it as we were just exploring the marketplace. For me, I felt as if I had been led there, to just happen upon the stone where they say that Jesus was prepared for burial...I wanted to touch the place where they say he lay. We then went up the narrow steps to the mount named Calvary, where they say that Jesus suffered the tortuous death of a criminal at the hands of the Romans and ambivalent Pontius Pilot. They have a large alter there, with a place where you can kneel under it to touch the base of the stone in which the cross was placed. Afterwards, we went to the Sepulchre, which was a bit crowded with tour groups. It was to be a looong wait, so we explored the rest of the church's inner chapels. We have many photos of our explorations, but we'll post only a few here (for space).

3. The Western Wall was a really different experience. I covered my head and entered the 'womens' side' to approach the wall. It wasn't that crowded, but it was a little wait to get to the front. When I stood at the foot of the wall, hand placed where so many had been, I looked up at the sky above and just absorbed the moment. It didn't touch me as closely as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but the historical significance was not lost on me.

4. The Dome of the Rock was astounding in it's massiveness. We have many photos there as well. We observed the respectful gestures a person should, and the Dome was supposed to be open to visitors, but they wouldn't let us in. Alas, they say that the Well of Souls and the impression of the hand of the Archangel Michael are in the rock there. The surrounding gardens were lovely to sit and comtemplate, and the mountains around the mount were lush and green. You can see the Russian Orthodox Church, with its golden domes and spires, across the hill, and the Jewish cemetary with its thousands of graves right up against each other for acres and acres.

5. The Via De La Rosa was compelling, but we will go back to walk it in the order of the walk they say Jesus took carrying the burden of the cross upon which he would die. It's a little disconcerting that some of the stations of the cross may have stalls with tomatos or shoes next to them, but Mark reminds me that it was probably the same in Jesus' day...that was the purpose in making Jesus walk so painfully through the main city streets...for all to see and mock while he moved ever closer to his fate on Calvary.

6. The city of Jerusalem wasn't as friendly as I had hoped. Although the visit is an incredible experience, there is much to be a bit sad about in terms of where Jerusalem has gone in our modern world. One example is the Tower of David. Although the citadel and such are a wonderful historical experience, the modern art attempts that dominate the inside courtyard are hideous and totally detract from the importance of that place. It was sad to see.

I will post more later...must get ready to teach today. Make sure you scroll down to read Mark's posting about Jerusalem and to see more pictures.

Love,

V