September 24

This is our last day in Israel and we had to make the best of it.  We actually gave the group until 10:30 AM to get their luggage to the lobby and check out.  Their plane doesn't leave for another 12 1/2 hrs so we had to get a few more sites in before they leave.

Our first stop for the day was Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha & Lazereth.  I told Doron that I had a picture of Ken coming out of the tomb that I used in my book.  He said if Ken walked out of that tomb he WOULD believe!

Next stop was the Herodian where Herod was buried.  This is a new site for me and I wasn't real sure about climbing to the top of the hill, but since I hadn't been there before I thought I should do it.

After lunch we made our stop at the Garden Tomb.

Our last stop was a surprise to everyone.  Doron and I had taken Sandy to check in at the hotel so neither on of us was on the bus. when Mike drove into the 911 Memorial.  I'm sure everyone was wondering where in the heck he was taking them.  Mike had stopped and picked up pizza so we had our farewell meal in picnic style.

After dinner we headed to the airport and said goodbye to the group.

Shanah Tovah everyone!  That's Happy New Year in Hebrew.  Doron and I stopped at his son's mother-in-law's home to tell them Shanah Tovah and had Gefilte Fish, baked fish, salmon, latkes, & salad.  She also served a roast beef, baked potatoes, and I can't even remember what else.  I felt like I was being fattened up for the slaughter.  Amber promised to work as my personal trainer when I get home, and boy will I need it!

Well, that is all for this blog.  Be sure and watch the next trip that starts on the 29th in Istanbul.  the address for that blog is owoectjp14.blogspot.com

September 23


We promised everyone that today would be an easy day so we started off with a hike up a hill to see the church that commemorates the birth of John the Baptist.  This is in a suburb of Jerusalem that would have been a small village at the time.  This is the traditional site of the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah

Next stop was the Holocaust Museum

After lunch we had just one more stop - St Peter of Gallicantu (the Cock Crows)

This evening we went to Ben Yehudi St for Ice Cream and we found 5 shekel wine.  This is right around the corner from the hotel Sandy & I will be staying in after the group goes home and we hang around until the 29th when we will go to Istanbul for the next tour.

Amber had to stop and pick up one more item.

September 22 Evening

Amber & I had an offer by Motaz (sp?) the manager of Ramat Rachael to show us some of the lights of the city.  First he took us to the roof that overlooks Jerusalem and Bethlehem and then out to a point at Ramat Rachael.  After that he took us to the Promenade to see Jerusalem.  This was quite the treat since I have never had an offer like that before in any of my other tours.  Could it be because I have my pretty, young granddaughter with me???  Hmmmmmm.

September 22

We had to have an early start today since our appointment at the City of David was for 8:30 AM

After seeing the Stepped Stone Structure we headed to Hezekiah's Tunnel.  I think we have to start handing out hard hats for tall people.  Michigan at 6'1" was having a hard time with his head.

Only 6 of us went thru the tunnel.  The rest of the crew went thru the dry tunnel and had a long walk to meet up with us.

Our next stop was the Davidson Center where we had the opportunity to walk on the steps and the street that Jesus walked on.  The steps are called the "Teaching Steps" since this is where the Rabbis would sit with their followers and teach.  We can be sure that Jesus was one of them.

Amber found a nice shady spot to sit and look over the city.

We visited the shops where the money changers were and happened to find one of them along the way

We also ran into one of the shop keepers that told us she would give us a "really good deal"

We returned to the hotel for lunch and then finished up the afternoon at the Israeli Museum and the Model City

September 21

Sunday morning and we are off to see the Western Wall.  Today is our walking tour of the Old City so good shoes are a must.

Next we are off to see the Dome of the Rock for which the women need to be totally covered.  Our group did real well but there was a couple from Germany who got caught by the Fashion Police.

This is a remarkable piece of marble that is next to the door on the Dome of the Rock

Since you can't take a Bible with you to the Dome of the Rock we were glad that Jack had it on his phone when we got to the Pool of Bethesda.

At St Anne's we had Joan read a devotion out of Our Daily Bread and then we sang Amazing Grace led by Laura.

Next was a stop at the Antonio Fortress and then to lunch for pizza and the best mint lemonade I have ever had.

After lunch it is down the road to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

We ended our "Forced March" thru the souks at the Jewish Quarter and the Cardo.  Is there something out of place in this picture?

Our appointment for the Rabbinic Tunnel was at 4:00 PM which made a good end of the day.