Latest Israel trip day 12

This was our last day in Jerusalem and it was the Sabbath. Since we were going to be flying out that evening, we had to pack everything up and check out of our hotel. Our group attended Sacrament meeting at the Jerusalem Center and then went on with our tour for the day.

Lunch was at the Christmas Hotel - hot dogs and hamburgers!
After lunch the buses dropped us off at the top of the Orson Hyde Garden. Each group then walked to different sitting areas in the garden and held a devotional. The garden has changed a lot from its beginnings. My memory of it is of a hot, dry, unappealing place. Certainly not what you think of when you say the word "garden". However, over the years the trees have grown and the garden has filled in. It is really quite lovely now.

There are also some great views of the Old City and the Mount of Olives from here:

We zig-zagged down through the garden and then down a very steep street to the Garden of Gethsemane. On our way we stopped at the spot where I fell and broke my wrist back in 2012:

The Garden of Gethsemane is another of my favorite places:

Next to the garden is the Church of All Nations. Below the altar in the church is what tradition says is the rock that Jesus fell upon in his agony and prayers in the garden.

I really love this church. The ceiling is dark blue and covered in stars. I think it is beautiful.

The last site of the day was the Garden Tomb. I love this place too!!!

We had a testimony meeting here before we left.

Our farewell dinner was on the roof top of the Notre Dame Hotel. It was a nice meal, we received a few mementos and had a marvelous view:

We had to say goodbye to most of the group. One of the buses took those of us flying out to the airport where we pretty much split up and went our separate ways. 

Our flights home were uneventful - thank heavens. It was a great trip.

Latest Israel trip days 10-11

Day 10 we were scheduled to go up on the Temple Mount and see the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, Ramadan had just ended and the Muslims have several days of holiday afterwards so the mount was closed to all non-Muslims. It was an unhappy event but there was nothing we could do about it. 
It certainly wasn't the ruin of the day. Today we walked the Via Dolorosa - the path that Jesus walked from his judgement to his crucifixion. 
We actually began at St. Anne's Church where the Pool of Bethesda was. 

There are ruins of the pool which I didn't take pictures of.

We then walked to Condemnation Chapel:  

And the Chapel of Flagellation:

After these churches we followed the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa.

Stations I and II:

Station VI:

If you look down by the guy's leg there is an arch. It would have been above street level in Jesus's day.

Our walk ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - believed to be Golgotha and Christ's tomb. Kent took our group up on the roof first. Because every Christian church wants a spot where something significant happened every space gets claimed. The roof of the Holy Sepulchre is an Ethiopian monastery:

After leaving the roof top, you walk down stairs through 2 more small chapels and then out into the open courtyard in front of the Holy Sepulchre. It was very crowded - as usual. All around inside are small chapels:

Chapel of St. Helena:

Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene:

Chapel of the Prison of Christ:

In the very center, under the dome, is the tomb:

Our next stop was lunch at an Italian restaurant. It was out of doors but covered with a canopy. This is me looking up:

The food was great AND we had live entertainment:

The evening was the best. We went to the BYU Jerusalem Center. We were greeted by students and some of our old and dear friends. Administrators we worked with and some of the security guys. Such a sweet reunion. 

The Front Gate:

The path to the door:

If you turn around from where the people above are standing you see the dome of the small auditorium:

Around the side on the upper levels are the gardens. The students can pick, crush, and make olives into oil here. Plus, see native plants.

This is the view from the back patio area:

We also had a marvelous feast - cooked by the students and Center cooks. 

After feeding us we went to the Upper Auditorium and were entertained by 3 a-maz-ing musicians. A pianist, a violinist, and a vocalist. I have never seen fingers move as fast as that violinist moved his! They all 3 were SO good and so engaging with us. 

Here is the view from the upper auditorium:

It was such a great way to end the day and was hard to say goodbye.

Day 11 started with the Israel Museum. In a large courtyard they have a model of the city from Jesus's time. Here are a few pictures of it:

Inside we had just enough time to wander through a few areas - Kent led us.

This is what Kent wants to be buried in: 😂😄

This is his favorite false God:

I thought this was cool, although I can't remember what it is! 😀

Crucified foot:

King Herod's sarcophagus:

Caiphus's bone box:

Other bone boxes:

Lunch break then the Jerusalem Archaeological Park. These are the remains of both Solomon's temple and Herod's temple:

Stones from Herod's temple when it was destroyed:

Steps that Jesus would have walked on:

Our last stop before dinner was Saint Peter in Gallicantu - commemorating Peter denying Christ 3 times.

We had a nice dinner at an outdoor restaurant with lamb [The chef sliced off pieces as you came by - yum!] I have no pics, sorry.

Tomorrow is our last day in Jerusalem!