January 22, 2005
Visiting Jerusalem
After we visited Qumran, we traveled north to Jerusalem. We checked into our hotel and walked to the Old City. It was fun to take Scott's parents to Jerusalem because it gave us an excuse to see more than we had seen before.
Below is a picture of a typical street in the Old City. The streets are narrow and at times very crowded. Fortunately, it was Thursday so it wasn't too crowded. As you walk down the streets vendors are trying to sell you things. Showing even a little interest means you will be surrounded by people trying to get you to buy kitschy souvenirs.
The narrow streets of the Old City
The Western Wall is segregated into sides for men and women. When the guys went up next to the wall, the girls were told they were too close to the men's side because they were standing near the entrance.
At the Western WallPreviously, we visited Jerusalem on Friday. Friday is the Muslim day of worship, so we hadn't been able to visit the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Since it was Thursday, we were finally able to see it. We were asked at the entrance whether we were Jewish, Christian or Muslim before we could enter. Religious Jews are forbidden from going there to prevent them from accidentally walking across where the temple once stood.
The Temple Mount is very different from the rest of Jerusalem; it is huge and mostly empty. The interior of the Dome of the Rock is closed to non-Muslims to make sure that things stay calm. We wandered around for a while, took pictures and then headed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many people believe this is the site of Christ's tomb. We found it to be a gaudy and dreary place.
The Dome of the RockTyler had been asking for an olive wood camel all day. We could barely talk without Tyler asking for his camel. We knew there were some nice souvenir shops near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Scott's mom found a widow's mite set in a pendant at an antiquities shop. Then we started looking for camels and nativities.
We found a wonderful shop where the employees set out all the camels they had so that Tyler could chose which one he wanted. He took a long time deciding and when he finally picked one they said it was a gift for him. They also gave Brooke a set of Christmas ornaments because she was so cute and kept smiling at everyone. We spent over an hour in the shop and by the time we were done we had bought an olive wood nativity set and Scott's parents had as well. It was a great experience. Before we left, the shop owners also gave Tyler and Brooke a Santa Claus candle.
The shop where we bought nativities
Our next stop was the BYU Jerusalem Center. Scott was able to arrange a private tour even though the center was closed for the holidays. The missionary couple gave us a tour and then our very own organ recital in the auditorium overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Afterwards, we went back to our hotel and ate a great dinner at a little restaurant called the Olive and the Fish.
Jerusalem at nightOn Christmas Eve morning we drove to the Garden Tomb. We got to the gate and discovered that it was closed. Fortunately, a Nigerian tour group had arranged a private tour and we were allowed to go in as well. After they finished their tour they had a Christmas service, so we were allowed to stay at the tomb by ourselves for a half hour.
The Garden Tomb is completely different from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The garden is beautiful and very calm and peaceful. Several of our modern prophets have declared that this was the place where Jesus was buried. There is a special spirit there.
In front of the Garden TombOur next stop was Gethsemane. It started to rain, so it was cold and wet. It was neat to see the olive trees, some of which date to the time of Christ. We looked over the Kidron valley (much smaller than the word 'valley' makes it sound). Then we went to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City for lunch. We like the Jewish Quarter because it is much cleaner and calmer than the rest of the Old City. We wandered around a little bit and then left the Old City.
Us in GethsemaneWe know we're a month late, but we hope to catch up on Christmas and the rest of Scott's parents' trip soon.
Tyler-isms:
"Daddy's parents" - Grandma and Grandpa
"Valanna" - Vanilla
"I'm just checking to see if the fridge is still cold." - why he opens the fridge so many times a day.
Brooke-isms (not really things she says, but things she does):
Dances to music - turns around in circles
Does the sign language sign for 'more'
Nods her head vigorously for yes