Anointing Stone

This is another view of the Anointing Stone in the Sepulchre Church. In this view, you see the beautiful mosaic of Jesus being taken down from the Cross----one of the leaders pointed out that the angels are weeping. The one up in the right hand corner is blowing her nose.

Up on the roof, part II

This was the view from the roof of our hotel in Jerusalem---they had a light show that played during the week on the walls surrounding the Jaffa Gate. It wasn't free, but we decided that it would be more fun to watch the top half of the show, for free, from the roof of the hotel. So there you are.

Magdalene chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This has been my favorite place to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. When I was here in 2000, I completely missed this chapel. Once you've experienced the chaos that is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, you completely understand how this could happen.

I didn't have to work too hard to convince Jo to head out of the hotel at 5:45 AM to come back to this place so as to avoid some of the chaos that marks the later part of the day. It was still a bit chaotic, but worth it to get here with fewer people to deal with. There was still a lot of noise, a lot of chant competition (!)---but I got to spend a few quiet moments in front of this beautiful sculpture depicting Mary of Magdala and Jesus as they encountered each other immediately after the Resurrection. Mary of Magdala. Woman of courage, determination-- who first spoke the news of the Resurrection to the disciples of Jesus. They didn't believe her. She believed. They figured it out. She had the news first. You go, girl.

That's what they really call them...

All the crosswalk signs look the same...

Perhaps women don't cross the street here.

Let's not and say we did

Masada.

Departure lounge in Tel Aviv

There was something interesting and beautiful about watching this man take the time to put on all of his prayer array---shawl, philacteries (small leather boxes containing verses from the Torah, and worn during weekday prayers). He spent his time praying, while waiting for his flight.