In Jerusalem there is fact and there is stories and beliefs. Sometimes these come together sometimes you either believe or you don't. In fact make that all Israel.
So the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is where the Jews, Christians, Orthodox and Coptics believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. They have had wars over the ownership of the place and now they all own a part of it. So no one has an advantage over the others a muslim family hold the keys and they unlock and lock the place every day.The place is massive. It could be the biggest building I have ever been into, by volume. The ceiling is soo high. Inside there is a stone that everyone wanted to touch and pray to so I guess it is where Jesus was layed to rest. There is also a small "building" and people were lining up for miles to get in so I guess that was the crypt. It is very dark in there but soo much to see.
The Western wall/Wailing wall is considered sacred by the Jews but it is really only a small part of a retaining wall for the Second Temple. They used to come here and lament the loss of the temple so the name Wailing wall. Last night I went for a look and there was thousands of people there. They looked like they were partying and having picnics. It turns out they were where for some kind or protest or rally. They went ALL night. every couple of hours they would sing a song and it was on a loudspeaker so the whole town heard it. I live about 5omtr up the hill so I heard it EVERY time.
Temple Mount is a massive complex. The centre is the Dome of the Rock. I cant get in there cos I am not a muslim but under the dome is A ROCK. If you are Christian or Jew you believe God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac and this is the place it happened. If you are Muslim you believe Allah called Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael and from where Mohammed ascended to heaven. Same story different names. I went this morning and it was a bit disappointing. it is a massive place, like a city within a city. I had to line up for nearly an hour to get in cos of the security checks and was only there for about 45min. I wasn't allowed into either of the two mosques. I am going to dress up like a muslim and try to get in later in the week.
Fact or stories and beliefs.
Hopefully I can find me way and there will be some photos on here this arvo.
Last night I went out for Baclava and decided to walk to the western wall, out through the Damascus gate and back through the Jaffa gate. I managed it OK so I am getting used to some of the landmarks and can navigate my way around the city.