Day 8

Today was a free day, so we (Bob and Jan) got up at 5.30am to go with Phil and Lavena to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as Jan had not seen it on her sick day. We beat the crowds that start at about 8.30 and had a good look at the alleged crucifixion site, the stone where Jesus body was laid out and the supposed tomb, as well as taking in the general ambience of this huge edifice. In a small chapel at a basement level Jan prayed for a fuller measure of the Holy Spirit.

We moved on to the Wailing Wall where Phil donned a skull cap and joined many Jews as they prayed at the wall.We returned for breakfast at 8.30 and then Jan and I ventured out again to the Garden Tomb - an alternative possible site for Jesus burial - a very peaceful and moving place. Then walked outside the city wall to the New Gate, inside the wall to Jaffa gate and back along the ramparts to the Damascus Gate. There were very few others walking along the wall (quite high and very narrow in parts). In fact, the only others we met were a South African Jewish couple who live in Melbourne. We asked them where, and they said "where do all the Jews in Melbourne live". So we guessed they lived in Caulfield.

At Paul Barnett's suggestion we visited the Austrian Hospice (entered though imposing double doors by pressing a special bell) for lunch of excellent coffee and apple strudel!! A real haven from the bustle of the Palestinian Quarter and the religious sites in Jerusalem. The coffee was so good we went back for afternoon tea after getting some shoes fixed for Jan along the Via Delorosa (the Stations of the Cross).

Phil and Carol walked to Church of Holy Sepulchre early, got lost twice, guided by Moslem schoolboy who then sought money and expressed disapproval at small amount.  Prayers in austere chapel under church and attended part of catholic service replete with organ.  Carol morning shopping in Armenian Quarter of old city and in a co- op.  Phil in taxi to church of scotland hospice where stayed in 1978 - Moslem driver charging extra for extra Thursday traffic due to many batmitzvahs but interesting discussion about Christian denominations - Phil then got lost on long walk to old city - later in day coffee in American Colony Hotel where saw original manuscript of Peace like a River then later to Garden Tomb possibly but not probably of Jesus. 

Where Jesus body was supposedly laid

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - very early morning

Phil - entering the precinct of The Wailing Wall

Can you find Phil?

There he is.

On the wall surrounding the Old City