Jerusalem - The Old City

Today was our second day of classes! We learned about the topography of the Old City of Jerusalem and also it's borders during the different time periods. Then we were off to see it for ourselves! Here are a few pics from the trip:

This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional sight of Jesus crucifixion and burial. It was extremely gaudy inside, filled with icons, relics, and the like. It was sad to see so many people kissing and/or worshipping some of the items inside. In the picture below you can actually see a man about to kiss the spot where Joseph of Aramethea supposedly layed. There is a large, ornate wooden box over the spot that is traditionally thought to be Jesus' tomb (not pictured).

Inside the church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Some fellow IBEXers walking on top of the North wall of the Old City.

The Mount of Olives, viewed from on top of the Eastern Wall. Here we read Zecheriah 14.

This is part of one of the Pools of Bethesda found in John 5. It was huge! And deep! And this was only part of it - much of it has been filled in or built over.

We walked down some of the streets in the Christian and Muslim quarter. Shops line both sides and it is very crowded. We weren't able to stop and buy soveneirs today, but there will be plenty of opportunities to do that - Lord willing of course!