The Old City
Trip Start
May 13, 2006
1
8
25
Trip End
Jun 13, 2006
Jerusalem,
Israel
Monday, May 15, 2006
I also went into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (The Church of the Ressurection). Now I was all by myself and did not have a guide to explain anything so I was basically exploring'blindly'.
In America this place would have turnstiles a ticket booth and a snack bar. But here there was nothing - you just walk in and there it is.
Jesus Slab
The first thing I saw was the slab where they laid Jesus' body after he was crucified (again I am assuming these descriptions based on the context). The There was the Sepulchre itself - basically another small church inside the bigger church. You had to wait in a line to enter and you were escorted in by a Orthodox Priest. Once inside there was a box containing a rock (I have no idea what it was - everyone around me spoke Italian). Then basically crawling into the inner most part of the sepulchre was (I assume) where they laid Jesus in to tomb.
Again all this was unprotected - no glass, no guards, no nothing. The church was very interesting and I will upload some pictures soon.
Back at the hotel the meals have been interesting. Many of you know I am a fairly picky eater - however when I am out of the country I tend to have a fatalistic attitude - "Just eat it. God will sort it out in the end." Pardon the pun. Bread, cheese, eggs, humus, some sort of meat that has yet to be identified (it's good though).
The room I am in is basically a sauna - a constant muggy 78 - I think the mattress has scabies - I'm itchy.
My alarm clock was a cacophony of birds in a tree outside my window at 5:10 this morning. I guess it is time to get up...
Comments
Check out the Garden Tomb
One of my favorite Jerusalem destinations was the Garden Tomb...so special compared to the Church of the HOly Sepulchre...make sure you get an opportunity to head over there.