September 20, 2005
Soreq cave, Hasmonean Tunnel and Notre Dame
There is so much that we didn't get to see in Jerusalem that we decided to go again. Scott took Thursday off of work so that we could spend two days in Jerusalem.
On the way to Jerusalem, we stopped at a gas station. They sold Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream in individual size containers, so we had to buy some and eat it right there. Tyler was thrilled to see a race car parked at the gas station.
Driving a race carOn the way to Jerusalem, we stopped at Soreq cave. It is a cave with stalactites and stalagmites. It was discovered when blasting at a nearby quarry opened a crack into the cave. We had to wait a little while for the next English tour, but it was good because it gave us time to convince Tyler that he really wanted to visit the cave. We watched a short movie about the cave and then a guide led us through the cave. We learned all about macaroni stalactites, elephant ears and other formations. Along the way, the guide would point out formations that looked like animals and cartoon characters.
Soreq caveInside the cave is was slightly cool and very humid. We had to walk carefully so we wouldn't slip. Fortunately there was a nice path with handrails. The formations were very beautiful.
Looking back into Soreq cavWe continued on to Jerusalem and checked into our hotel. Then we walked through the Old City to the Western Wall. We had reserved spots in an English speaking tour of the Hasmonean tunnel that runs along the Temple Mount. Unfortunately, the English guide forgot to show up so we had to wait 40 minutes for another guide. By that time, Brooke and Tyler were exhausted and not on their best behavior.
Western wallWe entered the tunnel just north of the Western wall. We descended a couple of flights of stairs. We then listened to a presentation about the ancient temple and the tunnel. Then we walked through the tunnel. The tunnel runs along the western side of the Temple Mount and starts a couple of stories above what used to be ground level. It runs all the way to the north-west corner of the temple mount. The tunnel was mostly level, but as we continued northward, eventually we reached ground level, because the ground slopes upward. Tyler and Brooke (remember they weren't on their best behavior) were loud which made it hard for people to hear our guide. They also escaped from us a couple of times (fortunately they couldn't get lost in the narrow tunnel). We really enjoyed it, but we would like to go back, either without children, or with well-rested children.
Hasmonean tunnelWe exited the tunnel onto the Via Dolorosa. From there our guide walked the group back to the Western Wall. However, we left and took a shortcut to our hotel. Our hotel used to be a hostel for Catholic pilgrims from Europe. It still caters to that group, but is not exclusively reserved for them. It was a little strange to see pictures of the Pope and to see Catholic priests around, but it was inexpensive and a very nice place. The hotel is right outside the old city walls and close to the New Gate.
For dinner we ate in the cafe on the grounds. We had sandwiches which were very good. They were nice enough to split a grilled cheese sandwich on two plates to make both Brooke and Tyler happy. After he ate, Tyler ran off to play with another boy. After a while, the boy's parents came over to talk to us. They are retired police officers from Arizona that train Catholic missionaries and humanitarian aid personnel how to stay safe around the world. They are based in Jordan, but just got back from Kenya. Scott mentioned that his parents are in South Africa. They asked why and Scott explained they were on a mission. We were very surprised to find out that their daughter was baptized a member of our church several years ago. It was not what we expected to talk about in a Catholic hostel in Israel!
Here is a picture of the front of the Notre Dame Guest House at sunrise from our room.
Notre Dame Guest HouseThis is the view out our hotel room looking towards the old city of Jerusalem.
Sunrise over JerusalemStay tuned for details about the rest of our trip to Jerusalem.
Tyler-isms:
"I want to go on a spaceship and fly to the moon with Daddy." - He has been really interested in rockets recently.
"When I am older I want to drive (an ambulance, a fire truck, a police car, a tow truck)." - Take your pick, he likes them all.
"Don't buy a fire truck until I can drive it." - Tyler made us promise. I hope we can keep the promise.
Brooke-isms:
"Mawr" - More. She says this a lot.
"Elba" - Elbow. She is pretty good at identifying body parts.
"Yay" - What she says when she's excited.
"Boon" - Balloon.
"Shores" - Shorts. She loves clothes.