I’m writing this post from the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Via Dolorosa. Why wouldn’t there be internet on the Via Dolorosa…? I goit up this morning and walked down to the Damascus Gate and entered into the Old City of Jerusalem. I was immediately just overwhelmed by the maze of tiny little streets lined with shops, bazaars and places to spend this pretty money I have.
[sidenote: I told Sarah about this problem I have. All of this pretty colorful money – it makes me think it’s like Monopoly money – but no. It’s real. It’s real money I’m spending…hmmm.]
I spent some time just meandering throughout the streets and then I climbed the tower of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer for a beautiful view of the entire Old City of Jerusalem. I took a nice 360 shot that I’ll have to show you once I get a chance. From there I went to the Wailing Wall, spent some time praying and just soaking in the whole experience of being there. And now I am writing from the Via Dolorosa. In a few minutes, some Fransican monks will lead a procession through the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the stations of the cross along the way, so I am planning on joining up with that group of pilgrims.
Tonight, I leave for Bethlehem and I think that means I will be staying with my host family tonight. We will see. It feels good to be in Israel finally and to be heading to Bethlehem tonight. It feels like the summer is beginning.