On our way to Jaffa Gate about 10 am we heard church bells ringing at Our Savior Church in the Christian Quarter. We stopped to attend Roman Catholic mass. At one point in the service, we shook hands with our neighbors. Two women in front of us and a man by Blaine shook our hands.
After mass, we bought tickets at Jaffa Gate to walk the ramparts - walking around the city on top of the walls. Linda got off at Damascus Gate and rode a bus home while Blaine continued the self paced tour.
The walk is in two parts. Walking by the Dome of the Rock is forbidden, so Blaine got off the wall at Lion's Gate, walked through the city to Jaffa Gate, got on the wall and walked the other direction to Dung Gate.
At Lion's Gate, a large funeral procession was exiting the Temple Mount. Several men were holding a wooden casket above their heads followed by a large throng of people streaming out of the gate. The body was wrapped in a blanket. A shopkeeper said the woman came from a large well known family. She died the previous day, the same day her son was married.
In the evening, we ushered at the concert. At last Thursday's Jazz concert, we met Rabbi Weiss from Los Angeles. He and other rabbis were recently invited by Mormon leaders to Salt Lake City. He didn't know why he was invited, but had a good experience. He got to sing with the choir. He told Linda he was impressed with our volunteers who give so much of their time. Linda said she was sure his people volunteer too. He responded no, he couldn't think of anyone in his congregation who would volunteer. He turned to his companion and asked her opinion. She said she didn't know anyone who would volunteer.
The garbage truck was making its rounds. Vehicles are miniature size so they can maneuver through the narrow streets.
I took a picture after mass ended at Saviour Church. We wanted to be respectful by not taking pictures during the service. The sounds of vocal and organ music echo beautifully in the stone cathedrals.
We don't often see pretty landscaping from inside the Old City like this garden next to the outside wall.
There are two types of openings in the walls - a narrow slit where a defender can shoot his weapon while minimally exposing himself to the attacker and a wide opening where he can see more.
The building just outside the wall is Mamilla Mall. One of the mosaics on loan to the Jerusalem Center was discovered during construction of the mall.
There are a lot of satellite dishes, water holding tanks, and solar panels on roofs in the Old City.
During one of the wars, Israelis shot at Palestinians from the city building across the street, and Palestinians shot at the Israelis from the wall near New Gate. The bullet marks are still visible on the city building.
We have to throw in proof once in a while that Blaine, not just Linda, is living in Jerusalem.
From New Gate looking toward Damascus Gate and Hebrew University. There are 3 landmarks - Hebrew University tower to the left of the trees, August Victoria Hospital to the right of the trees, and Russian Tower of the Ascension further to the right. All are on Mount Scopus or Mount of Olives.
Looking down the Tyropean Valley which runs through the Old City. There is not much level ground.
The Old City is filled with surprises. At the corner between Herod's and Lion's Gate is a school with an outdoor basketball court and a soccer field with artificial turf.
This is the main entrance to the Jerusalem Center. Linda and Alexis greet guests as they arrive for the Sunday night concert.
Sunday concerts start at 8 pm and last an hour. Guests have this view as they enter the Jerusalem Center.
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