Holy Cat!

An early start today. After unceremoniously rousing everyone awake this morning (some much more resistant than others) we were down for a quick breakfast and then off for a morning of exploring the old city of Jerusalem. We made a quick stop first to orient ourselves as we looked at the old city from afar. While the rest of us marveled at Mount Moriah and the golden dome, Dome of the Rock (what is now a mosque, but formerly the site of the holiest part of The First Temple), Sophie spent her time marveling at a stray cat she attempted adopt. After herding her back into the van (Sophie, not the cat), we were off again.

Before entering the next building, we stood outside in a courtyard to look up one story and see the (at least what is considered the most likely) where the first Passover aka 'The Last Supper' took place. And upon that that floor was a newer floor and a newer one still, each added every-time some new empire took control of the city. It's interesting to hear the history and try to reconcile them with the names and religious stories we are told growing up. 

The girls then covered their scandalous knees and shoulders (women must be modest in certain locations) and we entered a small sanctuary where the tomb of King David lays. Men to the right and women on the left, with a wall segregating us and going down the middle of the tomb. Sophie was less interested in the segregation and more interested in whether she had seen David's head or his feet. Deep as that thought was, it was quickly forgotten when another very friendly cat appeared.

Finally entering the Zion entrance to the old city, we headed for the Western Wall. Before going straight for it, we made a left and found ourselves on yet another tunnel tour. We must be part hobbit, because we seem to be spending half this trip underground. Thankfully, this particular tunnel was high enough for me to stand up straight! The archaeologists here keep discovering, uncovering and opening up for tourists all kinds of sites. This new one took us down along the Western Wall, a few stories under the ground. The area was initially a dam, then viaduct, then a ginormous roman bathhouse. Our tour guide was great and easily could have been an actress telling historic tales with the embellishments and flair of a Broadway star.

Finally back in the heat, we took a few minutes to write some prayers and notes on paper before making our way to the traditional/above ground section of the Western Wall. The girls had to elbow their way into their section, while Theo and I strolled into ours. I got myself wrapped up in tefillin, meanwhile Theo tried to squeeze his 72 notes into the various cracks of the wall that were already overstuffed with other peoples messages.

Spiritually cleansed, we stopped for lunch at 'Holy Bagels' then did some shopping in the Jewish Quarter. Theo found himself a great tallit for his Bar Mitzvah (thanks Savta), and Sophie found herself....another cat. Apparently the oldest in the city (over 20 years old the shop keep told us). 

Now, we're back at the hotel to rest up for Shabbat dinner and hopefully get to bed early. The whole country basically hits the snooze button for the weekend, so things should be (hopefully) quiet.