An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Playing Tourist On Day 2
After a much needed night’s sleep, we were off and running again this morning at 9am. I sure hope this doesn’t become a habit after we get home. I’d hate to ruin my reputation as being a layabout in the mornings. Heh.
First, we went to Vad Yashem. I have to tell you, this is not a great way to start the day, but it’s something I felt I needed to do. Come to find out, Avi’s (our guide) grandparents were also victims of the Nazis. I guess it would be rather difficult to meet anyone Jewish whose family was not affected in some way or another by the Holocaust, especially here in Israel.
The Children’s Memorial was an experience I’ll never forget. The candles, the names, the reflections of thousands of points of light. No one walked out there not in tears. It was impossible.
You’re only allowed to take pictures outsides, for obvious reasons.
This was the only place you were allowed to take a picture inside.
Just a few of she trees planted for the “Righteous”, in honor of those who risked their lives to save the innocent.
While I would highly recommend, should you ever find yourself in Israel, a trip to Vad Yashem should be at the top of your list of things to do. If not, make a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Next stop, the side of the road to plan and discuss the next couple of days. Needless to say, the view was quite spectacular. There’s a smudge over to the right that is the Dead Sea. 500 miles farther…..Iraq.
Then on to another spectacular view of the Old City and the cemetery, where I’m told, the first will rise when the Messiah comes, or comes back, depending on your view of things.
Those golden turrets are attache to a chapel that was built by a Russian Tsar, whose name I can’t remember right now, in honor of his mother. It was much more impressive in person. 
Avi with the Old City in the background.
While were in this area, we made some new friends.
The Garden Tomb was amazing. Personal opinion, it was here, and not where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is now located, where Jesus was buried, and rose.
On to the Mt. of Olives. Those trees are HUGE. Not very tall, but seriously big around, with olives hanging on them, squished on the walkway, in piles under the branches. Tough way to get olive oil. Heh.
The chapel is unbelievably beautiful. Pictures just don’t do it justice.
The ceiling was just fantastic, but of course, was pretty dark, so didn’t come out too well.
By now it was starting to get a bit dark on the outside too, but we had one more stop to make on the side of a road, opposite a previous stop on the side of the road.
Tombs! BIG tombs! They might not look too big, but that’s because we were fairly high above them, listening to the Muslim call to prayer over our heads from the Dome of the Rock.
This one is said to be the Tomb of Absolom, David’s son, who betrayed him.
It seems the reason traffic was so bad yesterday, Condeleeza Rice was in town. Now, why that should make it even worse that it already is, I’m not really sure, but that’s what we were told. Honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference. Traffic is horrible!
One observation I’d like to make after driving (not me personally, obviously) around Jerusalem….the difference of cleanliness was the Jewish areas and the Arab areas is like the difference between daylight and dark. One area is fairly clear of trash on the roads, and in the yards, and the other…… well, a couple of good dumpsters wouldn’t even make a dent! I asked Avi about this, and he relayed that he has asked his Arab aquaintences the same question. According to him, the inside of Arab homes are extremely tidy, yet the garbage on the outside is quite…..well, trashy. I guess he never got a answer. That’s “just the way it is” was the best he could get.
Thank you for this wonderful virtual tour. I have wanted to make that trip for many years. But I have never made it. Your tour touched my heart today.
@nannykaren:
Well, you’re welcome, and thank you. This has been a dream of mine for eons, and now that it’s a reality, sometimes I just have to pinch myself. It’s amazing that we’ve only been here for two full days, and have seen more than I could have ever imagined.
I can tell ya one thing though, I’m going to be a vegetable for a while when we get home. Just can’t do it like we use to. Heh. Old age….sigh…
Oh Kate, I’m so happy for you. I guessed it too! Enjoy.
you dont have time to be a veggie.. hehe.. small person is waiting for you..
@Kathy:
Now here I thought I kept it a pretty good secret! How come you were able to figure it out? :/ Heh.
@Brat:
And here I thought you were making the effort to get her on a plane! grrrrrrrrrrrr Do ya really think I wanna spent 2 days in a car, going and coming? Ain’t gonna be a lot of time for her to visit Grandpa, y’know.
I think it was because of your comment about being in danger or some such. Israel would be the logical choice. I have to admit I was really curious. But again, I’m so happy for you! That is definitely on my list of places to visit.
@Kathy:
Seriously, I don’t think we were ever in any real danger. I mean after all….the Useless Numnuts were on the job, right?
