Temple Mount and the Western Wall

We visited the south east corner of the old city. First stop was the Davidson Center where archeological excavations have been ongoing for since 1968.


Here our Israeli guide, Judie Goldman, who is our local guide for our whole trip is reviewing the time line of the old city including the Temple Mount.


Here Judie is walking up steps which were original to the Second Temple and lead to the Hulda Gate.



Al is standing on these ancient steps.


Herod's mammoth temple was destroyed by the Roman's in 70AD. Only part of the west and south walls remain. The plateau and location of the Dome of the Rock is controlled by Muslims and located in the Arab sector.






Below is a picture of the SW corner of the wall.


From the SW we went through security into the Jewish Sector to enter the a portion of the western wall (AKA Wailing Wall) where Jews, especially Ultra-orthodox Jews, go to pray. Women may not pray with men. I joined other women in our group to lay a hand on the wall and tuck a tiny of piece of paper containing among other petitions a prayer for peace.





Al approached the wall with other men on the other side of a fence. There is much controversy as the very religious prevent women from praying with them. As a matter of fact the men in this Ultra-orthodox group do not work and spend their day studying. They and their large families (about 20% of the population) are almost entirely supported by the state through welfare!

From here we proceeded through the shops of the old city to a small restaurant for lunch. Al who said that the concept of falafel sounded awful gulped down is pita falafel and looked for more! Falafel is ground chick peas and spices formed into a ball and deep fried. (BTW last night he ordered some more!)

This shop is selling an amazing assortment of dried fruit and spices.



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