New Gate and The Western Wall

Into the Old City we went today. I was a bit nervous about it for various reasons(the kids being safe and good, the long walk and heat being okay for Seth, etc), but it ended up being a very fun day. The kids had a lot of fun. Only Jayne complained that we didn't get to shop. We parked near New Gate, so we entered there, putting us in the Christian Quarters. The kids were quite mesmorized by the old city roads. 

First on the agenda was food. We found a great place to eat, thanks to a shopkeepers recommendation. The names was Amigo Emils, but it wasn't a mexican restaurant! We had some awesome food from Seth's lamb to Jayne's lentil soup to Jake's pizza.  

Jayne and Seth

Sam had an awesome lasagna that he made us take a picture of for Papa Hale (because of the mounts of cheese).

After lunch we  were able to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This church was built by the Crusaders 300 years after Constantine's Mother had stood and declared the site being Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, laid in the tomb, and resurrection. 

Us, in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

 

The beautiful mosaics.

Behind the kids is a stone, that some believe held the cross of Christ at crucifixion.

Jannie with the little man.

Jake and Jayne joined the many who touched the stone where it was believed Jesus was laid after death. The church was very crowded and different that churches that we have been to, the kids seem to enjoy going in. I was impressed with the compassion and belief that many demonstrated visiting the church and what a special moment with was for them to be on this holy site.

Jayne and Jake pretending to be statues.

I loved the rows of spices in the little shops in the Old City

We took this picture for all those who love nut bars. These "tiny" bars look delicious.

Next stop was the Western Wall. We had hoped come to the Wall in the evening, to watch the Jewish people bring in the sabbath at sundown. Its an amazing experience that we will try and do next weekend. But our energy was too low to stay late in the evening. It was very hot when we arrived there. Again, such an amazing site to be at, where so many people demonstrate their beliefs.  The Western Wall is also known as the Wailing Wall, where the Jewish people can be the closest to Temple Mount.  They face the wall and chant their prayers and put petitions on small papers and push them into the cracks of the wall. Another sacred site for some many.

The Wall is divided into sections for men and women. Seth took Sam down to the wall. 

Here's a close up. Note Sam's kippah (or yarmulke) on his head. Seth's head was covers so he didn't have where one.

It was very hot at the Wall, so we stopped for some popsicles as we moved towards the New Gate to return to the car. It was a long hike up the stone roads. On one corner we stopped to ask directions and some young boys, hoping for some shekels, waved to us that they would show us the way. They took us about half way and pointed in the direction of the gate and said go that way, then held out their hands for some money. We were happy to provide a bit of income, especially because the kids tried to talk to them and we distracted from the long, hot walk. 

These pictures are just a taste what the Old City looks like. Each of the 8 Gates let you into very different parts of the city and it is divided into four quarters- The Christian Quarter, The Muslim Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Jewish Quarter. Todays pictures were mainly in the Christian and Jewish quarters.