Hezekiah’s tunnel

Drinks on the roof top

Fireworks over Jerusalem

Day 3

We started off our day at the Western Wall… men on their side and women on their half. We were there early before lots of crowds had gathered so we managed to get close and touch the wall and lift up prayers. We walked back through the plaza at least twice more during the day. I was overwhelmed with the sense that the whole world, in all manner of dress, speaking all languages were there at the wall, in reverence, to offer prayers to God. Pouring out their hearts, entrusting to Him that which is most dear.

The rest of the day was tunnels and history. We walked to David’s city and then through the tunnel that Hezekiah built to redirect the water under the city for times of siege. The tunnel is 1/2 kilometer long, takes about 40 minutes to walk through, and the water is about 6-10 inches deep most of the way, but got as high as 2 feet in places, cool and flowing as it came from the spring. We used flashlights to see our way, sometimes stooping, sometimes almost turning sideways.

Tonight we were back at the Western Wall to take a tour of the tunnels under the Muslem streets, to walk the length of the wall, and talk about the construction of Herod’s Temple. The total length of the wall is about 450-500 meters, but only around 50 meters is exposed today. That is the area where people gather to pray.

Greatest fun:
walking between 2 school groups during our trip through Hezekiah’s tunnel … such exuberance ahead and behind us.

Sharing food as a group for a combined snack mid-day under one of the porches at Ecce Homo.

During our debriefing time on one of the rooftop patios,  David said, “if all we did was these 2 days, the trip would be worth it.”

And now I must stop so we can rejoin the group on the roof top for a glass of wine 🙂

Good Night.