My First International Trip - Part 5 - Jerusalem

 Jerusalem

Being in Jerusalem was magical.  Although I don't remember many details, these pictures help me remember episodes from the stay.  Below is a picture outside our hotel where there was a camel available for tourists to get on.  Here is a picture of Francis Thompson going up.  The way it works is that the camel lifts up the back legs first - moving you forward - and the lifts the front legs.  Once you know what to expect it's not too bad.  

Wailing Wall (Western Wall)

We stayed close to the old town so I was able to go back one night to visit the Wailing Wall.  

The Wailing Wall, known to Jews as the Western Wall (or Kotel), is the last remnant of the Second Temple's retaining wall in Jerusalem's Old City, a profoundly sacred site for Jewish prayer, pilgrimage, and mourning, where people place written prayers in its crevices, symbolizing deep spiritual connection and hope for the Temple's restoration, though its proximity to Muslim holy sites often causes political tension. (Google AI)

I remember clearly hearing the wailing.  They would rock back and forth and cry out.  There was a section that went inside an area that only priests were able to go in.  It is my understanding that they are wailing over the destruction of the temple and the atrocities of the holocaust.  They are also praying for the Messiah to come.  I did write a prayer request on a piece of paper and put it in the crevice of the wall and said a prayer.  I just realized, that although the prayer was not answered how I intended it to be answered, it has been answered in another way.  It is a reminder to me that many times God does not answer our prayer according to our will, but was he decides.  In those cases, we sometimes feel that he has not answered.  The benefit of looking back over time, gives you the perspective to know that he did answer the prayer.  

Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. 

Another special stop was the spot from where it is believed that Jesus ascended into Heaven.  There is a small chapel over the spot.  The picture is believed to be an imprint of the right foot of Jesus.  

Golden Gate

The final picture from Jerusalem is a picture of the Golden Gate.  Significance of the Eastern Gate - Golden Gate - Gate of Mercy.   (The shadow of an arm is me taking a picture of the framed photo) :)