More of Old Jerusalem

I thought I'd show you a picture of my accomodations in the Ecce Homo Convent's guest house where I am staying. I've got a little cubicle in the dormitory -- only $24 per night.

So yesterday I did some exploring in Old Jerusalem on my own. I went through the Muslim market to the Western Wall, and on to the Jewish Quarter where I explored the Wohl Archaeological Museum, which shows the homes of the High priestly families from the time of Jesus. (No pictures allowed.) I wandered back through the city markets, perstered by salesmen as I passed their shops. I took some time to document more of the art and architecture of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, either a very holy place or a gaudy and overwrought display of old church one-upmanship, depending on your perspective. The church is built over what Roman Catholics, the Orthodox and a number of other ancient denomination believe is the site of Jesus' crucifixion and tomb. Everything has been pretty much razed level, built over and gold plated. The site of the tomb itself has been leveled and a kind of mini-chapel called an edicule has been built over the stone platform where his body was laid. Here's a shot of the sunlight from the dome hitting the top of the edicule.

Many surfaces are covered with mosaics, gilded with gold and silver, mounted with paintings and hung with lamps. Some of it is actually quite beautiful. This is the inside of the dome in the Greek Orthodox chapel.

After visiting the sepulcher, I headed over the to Dome of the Rock. I had been under the impression that non-Muslims are not allowed in, but they do open thre grounds around the dome and the mosque to visitors during certain limited hours. We had to pass through metal detectors and have our bags searched, and as we walked up to the old temple mount we passed by stacks of riot gear, readily available. The Dome and the temple mount are amazingly beautiful. In the park-like atmoshere, Muslim families were having picnics and kids were playing soccer.

From there I went out of the walled city to the site of the city of David, where Jerusalem was when Kings David and Solomon reigned. Again, I saw all kinds of ruins, but was mostly interested in the tunnel dug by King Hezekiah when the Assyrian army was on its way. By digging a long tunnel through solid rock, he was able to divert the city's water supply to flow to a pool inside the city walls (2 Chronicles 32:30). That way they were in a much better position to withstand a long siege. I walked through the cold spring water, thigh deep in places, and emerged here, in the Pool of Siloam (John 9:7).

I probably will not post again until late Saturday, as I will be travelling to a village called Kochav Yair. There I will meet with an Israeli scholar and woodworker, and celebrate the sabbath meal with his family. I'm not sure when I'll get back to Jerusalem, as the public transportation system pretty much shuts down for the Jewish sabbath -- sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.