Jerusalem- Day 1

Morning in Jerusalem

We contact our airbnb host to tell her about the unfortunate wine incident and send her a picture of the red wine marks on the kitchen wall. She tells us not to worry about it, drink more wine and have fun.

There is a cafe near our apartment that sells Montreal Bagels. We just have to have a bagel with cream cheese and lox. At $12 CAD. That is a bit pricey but we just have to have them once.

We pass through city hall to a park that looks like it is filled with cushions but they are cement. Very cool.

Church of the Sepulchre

We head into to Old City directly to the Church of the Sepulchre. This is considered to be Christians most important church because it is built on the site considered to be Calvary, where Jesus was nailed to the cross, died and was resurrected. Also the last five stations of the cross are located in this church. Click here to learn more about the 14 stations of the cross.

The church is huge with many different chapels. As we enter we see the stone of unction which is the location where Christ was annointed with oils before burial.

People are rubbing the stone with oils and wiping the oils from the stones with cloths. Many are kissing the stone. One women has a large bag filled with cloths that she is rubbing….I wonder if she sells them or if they are for friends and family. We learn that some people even bring the clothes that they will some day be buried in and rub them on the stone.

The place is packed. We go up some stone stairs with many other people to another chapel with a stone under heavy clear plastic. There is a hole under the altar where you can touch of kiss the stone where Jesus’s cross was. This stone is where Jesus was crucified…Calvary.

The church is very, very ornate…and did I say packed? We go into most of the chapels however the lineup is very long to get into the Tomb of the Holy Sepulchre. It is so packed and the line isn’t moving so we decide to return when the church opens at 5am later this week. Click this link to find out more about the church.

Stations of the Cross

Returning to the streets, the four of us go to all the other stations of the cross. Click here for the events that happened at each station.

Many religious groups with people carrying big wooden crosses and singing hymns are also travelling to the stations.

We go into the religious building which is built over top of a cave like dwelling where Mary was born.

We attempt to climb up to the ramparts but they are closed so we head back into the old city to find a restaurant. John and I order a lentil soup ($8 CAN) each. They barely have a cup in each bowl. We all share a small pitcher of lemonade for $18 CAN.

Wailing Wall

After lunch we head to the Western Wall…the Wailing Wall. What an experience.

Em starts going to the Western Wall but is kicked out…she didn’t realize her faux pas until she is told that she is on the men’s side.

There are separate areas for men and women. From their area, the women can see into the men’s area but the men can’t see into the women’s area from their area.

Everyone is supposed to wash their hands before going to the wall. Em and I don’t realize this. We go in and touch the wall.

Meanwhile the guys need to wear a yamika before they go in.

After coming out from the enclosures, we people watch for awhile.

Evening

John is not feeling well so we head back to the hotel to rest. We walk through the market area. Some of the signs prove that even in Jerusalem you can find pockets of tackiness.

In the evening, John takes it easy and Em, Vince and I head back to see the city hall sound and light show (click here for a different video of the sound and light show) before grabbing some Thai food and calling it a night.