Jerusalem Israel

I'm in front of a model of the city of Jerusalem and what it looked like more than 2,000 years ago.  The wall was erected to keep the people safe from invaders and the temple is just visible behind the wall. Later we'll see what the old city looks like today.

As we entered the old city we were lucky to see a young Jewish boy celebrating his 13th birthday. This is a special event called a Bar Mitzvah and he is being carried on a chair by his friends under the flag of Israel. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes and singing and dancing. Does your family celebrate a special birthday?

Above my antlers is a dome made of gold!! It is part of a Muslim Mosque and is in the holy city of Jerusalem. We are not Muslim and couldn't enter, but the wall behind me is famous. It is called the Wailing Wall or the Western Wall and is important to each of the religions here. It is part of the original wall surrounding the Jewish Temple in the original old city of Jerusalem. 

Bob is standing center left with a black shirt and beige hat. He placed a piece of paper with prayers in the Western Wall. This is an ancient tradition and our prayers were for the health of everyone at our school. It also included prayers for special friends who are sick. Take a look at everyone else in the photo. Notice anything odd?? Tell you the answer later.

The Galleria Mall of Jerusalem.  This is a small section of the bazaars surrounding the temples and churches in the old city. It is noisy, crowded and filled with exotic sights and smells.  We must have had friendly faces because all the shop owners wanted us to visit. "Hey lady, good prices, come in, come in".  "Nice moose, step in for best selection".  We didn't have time to stop but perhaps if you visit you'll come away with a bargain.  

Did I mention that it is crowded?

Need bread for dinner??

  Or a carpet?? Do these look like stores in Las Vegas?

Answer to the question "What's missing"? In the photo there are only males. Women are not allowed in that area. There was a special area for women but because I wasn't Jewish or Muslim I wasn't welcome.  In the Muslim faith men and women are segregated for many activities including worship.