What? no Quincineras in Jerusalem?

What's that I see? A Barmitzvah!

The Big kid, 15 yrs old?, under the tent is the 15 (quince)... Our bus driver said, they come from the states, so as to save money on the celebration.... (easier to tell the kid, "no you cant do x, we are doing it old school in Jerusalem...." ... they are going up the the house of the Lord, and that's all I know.... I'll find out more tomorrow.... (I've got so many photos and things to share, but my computer skills and internet service is slowing me down, plus Ive got to sleep and eat and do laundry,... etc... ) more to come 

Just so we dont get too excited with birthday's... another 

site outside the city walls of Jerusalem, that reveals the old tomb's and burial places...

And every year around the 7th of July out pops....

wait for it!

 a groundhog!

yes that is me, they have been feeding us very well, great food and hot sauce to boot!

All along the watchtower.

First the old old city.... A model of the walls and city of Jerusalem from the time of Jesus :

You get the idea... Also where the temple WAS... The golden mosque is NOW...

The present walls are as follows, with their gates...

You may notice, the ramparts walk does not include the area of ( what the Jews still call ) the Temple Mount or the golden mosque...( the Muslims are not as ecumenical in allowing "outsiders" ).

The walk I did this day (for these photos) started at #2 and went all the way over to #5.....(map above)

Here you see the Wailing wall ( men and women's wall divided and the golden mosque on the other side of the wall.    A city of contrasts....

Do I feel safe?  

All Israeli youth serve two mandatory years in the army...

I have had a chance to chat with a soldier who has already served 3 years. He is convinced that it is all about defending his country. "we did not start this, but we will protect our people..." His words. He seemed very committed to the cause. He just visited his family and was on his way back to the front....

And now (I am still learning how to blog and post photos so bare with me)- I will try to post a link to one of my photo albums, with a few more photos of this three hour walking tour.... 

Walking tour of ramparts by Dormition Abbey....