The Neo Natal project finished so we had Saturday (church), Sunday, and Monday to show the nurses and the doctor around Jerusalem for a final time. We blocked out the time they were here so we could help with the project, then help them see sights they were interested in.
On Sabbath, Richard Scott, Linda's step brother, attended church at the Jerusalem Center with his wife Leann, and daughter. Linda hosted them after church at our apartment for a sandwich before they finished their final day touring the Old City.
We took the Neo Natal team to the Orson Hyde Park. The money for the park was donated by a group of church members and the city of Jerusalem agreed to maintain the park. Unfortunately, we can go into the park only in groups of 10 or more because the Jerusalem Center believes it is not safe for individuals or smaller groups. We went with students so we would be part of a large group. We went into the park a short distance. It was attractive and appeared well maintained.
We toured the Kottel tunnels or Western Wall tunnels. Herod built a ramp to the temple mount. When Muslims settled the city they filled this area and built homes and shops.The Israelis have excavated to the base of Herod's walls underneath the current city.
This is some of the excavated area. Early on during the excavation, a Brit and his companion were in this area excavating. They noticed their candles were going out and they were having a hard time breathing. The Turks, who didn't want them excavating, were sealing the entrance. They searched for another way out and luckily found a keystone in an archway, indicating it could have been a doorway in Herod's time. They were able to dig their way out to safety before their oxygen expired.
The stone to the left is a single stone, estimated to weigh about 500 tons. It extends from where I stood to take this picture to about where the person in the picture is standing, and is a little higher than the picture. Our guide told us no one has been able to determine how they could have built a crane with cable that was strong enough to lift 500 tons.
The architect had grooves put in the stones so when people looked up at the wall, it didn't feel like the wall was going to fall on them.
This is a passage in the tunnels that have been excavated.
After the tunnel tour, we walked next door to the area where Pilate condemned Jesus. This view looks upon the Temple Mount.
We stopped at the Austrian Hospice for a view from the rooftop and had lunch in their cafeteria - veal snitzel with potatoes. Sandy Anderton, Dr. Barry Anderton, Charlene Watson, and Lynnae Napoli in front of the hospice entrance. We did a lot of walking. When they first arrived, Sandy was ill so Charlene and Lynnae became my walking buddies when we had to squeeze in quick tours of the city near the end of the day. During the first few days we were rushing to see some sights and then get out of the Old City and back to the Jerusalem Center before dark.
We stopped outside the city walls at the City of David visitor center. This excavation may have been David's palace. Hezekiah's tunnel began at this location and provided water to the people within the walls of Jerusalem, helping them to be self sufficient with water during times of attack from invaders.
View from the City of David, looking southeast
We returned to our apartment and enjoyed lunch on our patio.
The day after the Neo Natal team left, we had a humanitarian appointment outside the Old City with a group seeking support for their library and charitable efforts. Nimati Ansari, Fahmi Ansari, Mohammed Abdelltif, and in front Mahmound Ansari and Inas Ansari. They have a religious collection of 30 - 40,000 books / manuscripts in Arabic and about 10,000 books in other languages. This collection belongs to Fahmi. They are looking for another location because the building they are in is scheduled to be demolished. Organizations who are willing to fund the library want ownership of the books in return fo rpaying salaries, etc. The group does not want to give up ownership of the books. In our conversation, we learned their family roots in Jerusalem go back as far as 686. The family history is recorded by each generation and passed from father to oldest son.
Blaine really is in Jerusalem - Linda doesn't live alone here.
We are having dinners this week with Belnaps and Foxes. Jay and Dawn Fox came from Tiberias to help with tours and concerts while the students and couples are on a field trip to Turkey. Erin Belnap and kids Emma, Jack, Sam and Tabby, along with Blaine and Linda are the only ones in the Jerusalem Center this week. Erin served a delicious spaghetti dinner. Who needs a fork!
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