New Adventures: Day 6

Today starts out in the Old City going through Herod's Gate. We walk the streets and note several of the Catholic Church's Stations of the Cross. They are markers affixed to the outside of various building about 10 feet high. You pretty much have to know where they are to notice them. We visited the Franciscan Church of the Condemnation. It is here that some believe that Pilate condemned Jesus and Jesus took up His cross. The Convent of the Sister of Zion marks the area that others believe the trial took place.

Next was a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is a beautiful church and home to several different denominations. As we were there on a Sunday, we were witness to two different services being held at the same time-even as tourists were traipsing through. I felt quite intrusive, but apparently this is what they have learned to work with. I was surprised that the services were not timed around each other. You could hear the two services at the same time. On site is a stone slab that Jesus was laid on to be annointed before His burial. A mosiac murial is mounted on the wall telling the story from the point of removing His body from the cross to His burial. There is also a stone marking the site some say is where Jesus was crucified.

We took a daytime look at the Wailing Wall. Before we went down to the ground level, we viewed it from a position overlooking the area. While we were there, a small Jewish wedding party appeared and we stayed around to watch. Quite interesting. Everyone was huddled together right with the bride, groom and rabbi-taking photos and video. You could barely catch a glimpse through the crowd of about 25. There are more tourists here today than there were last night. Such a different atmosphere.

Our walk then took us to the Southern Wall area-the Huldah Gates-and the excavated stone steps that lead to the Temple Mount area where Jesus would have walked to enter in. Lots of excavations in recontructions in this area.