Thursday 6th March 2008

Woke up and had breakfast with the last of the Pilgrims and headed off to St Andrews Scottish guesthouse only to find they had not given us a reservation after all. Fortunately I had the trusty computer with hard email evidence of our booking so they did the phoning around and arranged for alternative accommodation for us while we drank their tea. Ended up at the Notra Dame Guesthouse (Only about 100m from the Damascus Gate to the old city) for a couple of nights and then we’ll have to move to the St George Hotel. Did nothing all day except some maths. Kaz
Wednesday 5th March 2008
To the old city again through the Zion gate, into the Jewish quarter to visit the temple institute. It was very fascinating; the Jews want to rebuild their temple for the third time because it was destroyed nearly 2000 years ago by the Romans. They have all the vessels ready to put in the temple for when they finish building.

Afterwards we went to watch a multimedia presentation in a place called the burnt house, it actually dates back to the fire of 70 A.D. Cool.Next stop, Samuel’s Tomb (Mosque). It was on a hill with a view over all of Israel. It was extremely windy but a beautiful sight. Stayed for about ½ hour.

For lunch we got to do our own thing which was nice. Yossi, our guide took us to an open area with a choice of shops everywhere. (Very similar to china town in Broome) After an hour we all met back on the bus for some more free time doing SHOPPING!!! We went to the Jewish quarter where I got a Tshirt with the Hebrew symbol for life.Then we went to the Possibility #2 where they think Jesus was crucified. It was only discovered by archaeologists about 100 years ago because it was buried with rubbish and dirt. There was a Skull carved into a Hill but it was natural. We walked through the Garden that was there and went inside Jesus’ Tomb. It had a track for the huge stone that sealed the tomb. Then we finished with a communion service in the Garden.

The Place of the Skull; Just outside the Damascus Gate
The Empty Tomb
Long day so we came back to the hotel... most of the group had to wake up at 1am the next day to fly home. It was sad saying good bye. Maddi.