In November 2009 I was able to go on holiday to Isreal! A group of 10 from my church pastorate took an "Easy Pilgrimage", with Jenny and Justin as our leaders. Rebecca, my flatmate, and I took the EasyBus to the airport, and we all flew from London to Tel Aviv on EasyJet. This was definitely the trip of a lifetime for me- and we packed A LOT in- therefore A LOT of pictures follow:
Thursday 19th November
Thursday 19th November
The first sight was a store called "Big Ben Watches"!
The boys enjoying a beer at The Jersualem Hotel during our first dinner
Friday 20th November
Our first tour guide- a rep from ICAHD (Isreali Citizens Against Housing Demolitions)- showing us maps from the establishment of Isreal to the present. He explained about the situation between the Isrealites and the Palestinian, something I should have known but really didn't.
A park in West Jersusalem where he pointed out the Isreali settlements and the walls they've built to separate them from the Palestinians.
East Jerusalem
This was the end of our ICAHD tour...unfortunately where I first got sick :(
The other side of the checkpoint to get to Bethlehem
A street in Bethlehem- the only place I was able to eat 1 falafel (I ended up missing out on so much good food on this trip)
The Church of the Nativity (where some believe where Jesus was born)
Going into the Church of the Nativity
Alex and Andrew listening to our tour guide in the Church
I know- I look quite ill- because I am! I barely could smile here as we were waiting to go downstairs into the basement area where supposedly Jesus was born, but once I got down there I had to leave after about 1.5 seconds.
The courtyard of the Church of the Nativity (where I had to wait while the group visited The Milky Grotto). Thank you, Jenny, for staying with me!
Inside one of the shops in Bethlehem
One last shot of Bethlehem
So, when we got back to the hostel around 5pm, I decided it was best to stay there for the evening. I did miss dinner with everyone, but that was because I didn't want to miss anything Saturday.
Saturday 21st November
This picture was taken from the van - this is where they believe Sodom and Gomorrah was.
Frances swimming (floating!) in the Dead Sea
Everyone else watching Frances swim
Sophia and I had to at least get in the Dead Sea!
Roz taking in the scenery
On our way up to Mount Masada
I tried my best to keep up with the group!
It was a beautiful day- but really hot as well. I truly wanted to climb up the mountain too, but once we got halfway, I kept getting sick again. I stayed on a bench while everyone else climbed to the top and then made it back down. I did fall asleep and it felt like they were gone about 30 minutes when they really were gone about an hour and 30 minutes! They said when they left I had my head in the bin and when they were on the way down I had my head in the bin. Ugghh.
Jenny telling the van driver where to go on the way into the Palestinian village, At-Tuwani
Jenny and Justin outside the house where we had lunch (well, where everyone else had lunch). Jenny and Justin met in Isreal, and they let us travel back with them on their first visit since getting married almost 4 years ago.
I was so disappointed that I couldn't partake in the beautiful food that they made for us.
This is one of the ovens
This is Laura, our "tour guide", around the village. She works for Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).
This is where Jenny used to live in the village with about 5 other people when she worked for CPT!
Inside the shop where were able to buy some of the things the Palestinian women had made
A door to one of the caves, where they sometimes keep the animals
On the way back to the hostel
Sunday 22nd November
A picture of the hostel's sign
Roz and I are ready for the day
Sophia is ready now that she has coffee in hand!
The men's side of the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall)
The women's side
As a sign of respect, Jewish men and married women are expected to cover their heads upon approaching the Wall, and to dress appropriately. When departing, the custom is walk backwards away from the Wall.
All the girls: Frances, Tricia, Sophia, Jenny, Roz, Rebecca, and Pui
Alex excited to find an ATM, but later on upset to find out it didn't work (I don't think we ever found one that did)
Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Inside the church
Sophia reading to us about the Temple Mount as we waited for the entrance to open
Rebecca resting as we waited
Pui and I inside Temple Mount
The mosque
Alex took the girls picture with the Isreali soldiers inside Temple Mount
Looking down from the Mount of Olives down on Kidron Valley (separates Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives)
Justin reading some Scripture from when Jesus was on the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane
These olive trees have been dated back to the time of Christ
Garden of Gethsemane sign
I thought this sign was hilarious
Busy market near our hostel
Fresh pomegrantes
There wasn't much I could eat or drink but I was so happy because the
pomegrante juice was something I could!
Sunday evening we attended a Church of England service at St. George's Cathedral
I found a TEXAS seat cushion in ISREAL!
Playing "Chinese Whispers" game at our last dinner, back at the Jerusalem Hotel
Our last day, Monday 23rd November
Inside the Garden Tomb Park
What they say could be Golgotha, where Jesus' crucifixion took place
Our guide
Roz, Rebecca, Sophia, and Andrew inside the tomb. The Garden Tomb is believed by many to be the possible site of the resurrection of Jesus.
Damascus Gate in The Old City where our hostel was located
Yad Vashem
Holocaust Memorial
