Jerusalem

   It is a funny thing going to Jerusalem not in some tour group on a holy pilgrimage. Although we felt our journey there was part of a pilgrimage of sorts, we felt more like heathens than religious onlookers amidst the hoards of overzealous sojourners from almost every part of the world imaginable. Israel in every right is an intriguing country socially, politically, and economically. Jerusalem is teaming with myriad cultures which makes a social melting pot like nowhere else in the world, albeit the cultures aren't entirely "melting" into the same pot in many ways, here you can see where much of modern culture was sprung. Three of the dominant religions of the world have their beginnings here and only here can you see them so close together and really learn how alike they are. Jerusalem is not to be missed, although expensive and teaming with tourists it was an experience like no other.

Old olive Tree with new branches grafted into it.

This is the western wall, or the Wailing Wall. This is considered the most sacred place for the Jewish Religion. It is the only standing wall that was part of Solomon’s sacred temple.

This was at the dome of the rock

At the dome of the Rock, there were some groups of men like this all around having some sort of church meeting.

A Greek Orthodox Church

We had a picnic in New city Jerusalem, this is the synagogue we sat in front of.

Zion’s Gate- You can still see the bullet holes all over the front

Olive tree on the outside of the old city wall

The Muslim Cemetery

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

This is considered a very holy site for Christians. It is believed to be where Christ was crucified.

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher- People are lined up for a Relic

Supposedly the rock where Christ was crucified.

A Greek orthodox priest praying

This was pretty interesting. There were crosses carved into the wall by the many pilgrims that have come through this church.

The Olive Tree with the new branches grafted in.

The Garden of Gethsemane 

Around the Garden

The Wailing Wall

Some people claim that this is the site where Christs tomb was and where he was resurrected. As opposed to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher 

In the Afternoons in the Old City there are pilgrims holding wooden crosses proceeded by monks, that walk the path that Jesus walked to his Crucifixion. 

The monks that proceed the pilgrims. This one has a speaker around his neck so that all the pilgrims can here the voice of the monk giving the sermon.

An epic photo rusty took of a local child running down the street.

Hasidic men  out for an afternoon walk 

This man was carved into one of the fountains in Old town

A flower in the Garden of the Tomb

This was in the Garden of Gethsemane, there is a picture of Christ that they are bowing to. 

The Garden of Gethsemane 

Just inside of the Muslim quarter. All of the men where doing their daily prayers.

Inside the tomb

Dome of the Rock

So many tourists in the street. These ones were walking the path of Jesus.

Saturday Church at BYU Jerusalem

The View from BYU Jerusalem

The Wailing Wall- the man in black was standing there for hours.

A Muslim woman going into the Mosque

The Wailing Wall