On the way to Jerusalem going through Bab-El-Wad (in Arabic), which is Shaar Hagai in Hebrew: Gate of the Valley. In the War of Independence in 1948, Jerusalem was under the siege. This used to be the only road into Jerusalem. There were numerous convoys that tried to reach the city. Many in these convoys did not make it. As you drive up this twisty road today, you are reminded of that today by the many rusting hulls of armored trucks which were hit. This is a picture of one such vehicle.
The view from Har Hamenuchot; a mountain on the outskirts of Jerusalem that's one huge cemetary.
Another view from the same place, showing the winding road going up into Jerusalem.
On the road to Gush Etzion; an area on the West Bank. Pictured here is one of the Jewish town you always here about. I can't recall which one this is. Perhaps Efrat.
Same town, a little closer.
Arab women apparently carry things on their heads with ease. Here's one.
A view of the hills surrounding a settlement in the Etzion Bloc. The land is practically barren. Does it make you wonder what the fuss is all about?
A southern view from our hotel room, on the 8th floor of the Ramada Renaissance. The long structure at the bottom left is going to be a train station.
The view from our room to the east.
Standing outside that Yaffo Gate of the Old City.
Inside the Yaffo Gate; the obligatory camel picture.
In the "Burnt" House, which is in the Jewish Quarter in the Old City, a few hundred feet from the Wailing Wall. An excavation of the cellar of a house occupied by a family of Priests which worked in the Temple. The Romans burned the city in 66 A.D. There is evidence of charred beams. A severred arm, apparently of a young woman was also found.
Another shot of the Burnt house. That's a spear on the stone table.
The Western (Wailing) Wall. Kotel in Hebrew. The Dome of the Rock is behind it.
From the same vantage point, looking at the Mosque of El-Aqsa
An unobstructed view of the Kotel.
Closer still. Boy it was hot, and not a drop of shade to be found!
Everybody comes to touch the Wall, say a prayer and maybe stick a piece of paper with a prayer or request into the cracks between the stones.
Shrine of the Book, where they keep many of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were found in the Kumran caves. This structure is kept at a constant temperature and humidity, with only dim light; all in order to minimize the "stress" on the two thousand year old scrolls. As you can see, the building is kept cool by constantly spraying it with water. The building in the background on the right is the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
