The Zion Gate, one of the seven functioning gates in the Old City, leads out to Mt. Zion.  This gate was subject to fierce fighting during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, as the pock-marked exterior testifies.

Just outside the walls of the Old City sits Mt. Zion, also home to a wealth of religious sites.  It is here where the tomb of King David, who ruled the Israelis from 1010-970 BC and is said to have captured Jerusalem and made it the capital of the land of Israel, is located.  Mt. Zion is also home to the hall traditionally believed to be where the famed Last Supper, among Jesus and his Disciples, is said to have taken place.  In addition, this photo shows the Church of the Dormition, where the Virgin Mary is said to have fallen into eternal sleep.

Mt. Zion is also home to the grave of Oskar Schindler, the subject, of course, of the film by Steven Spielberg, Schindler's List.

The gilded onion domes of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.  Evoking images of Russia, as it was built by a Russian Tsar, it sits at the foot of the Mount of Olives.

Considered one of the greatest achievements in Islamic architecture, the Dome of the Rock (here seen through free-standing entry arches) is the de facto poster symbol of Jerusalem.  Built between 688 and 691 AD, this dome covers the rock upon which (i) Abraham is thought to have prepared to sacrifice his son Issac (before his hand was stayed by an angel), and (ii) the prophet Muhammed is said to have made his Night Journey, when he was carried to from Mecca to Jerusalem, from where he ascended to heaven and to God's presence, before returning to Mecca by morning.

Richly decorated with mosaics and intricate tile work, the Dome of the Rock, inside and out, is a stunning sight.

A Palestinian woman on her way to noon prayers outside the Dome of the Rock.

The contours of the West Bank lie just outside Jerusalem, and is an area (together with the Gaza Strip) of enormous contention.  Occupied principally by Palestinians, the West Bank was captured by Israel from Jordan during the Six Day War of 1967, and its disposition is a critical issue in the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.  The West Bank, in addition to being home to stone throwing Palestinian youths and machine gun toting members of the Israeli Defense Force, is also home to important historical and religious sites, one of which is Bethlehem.  The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the world's oldest functioning churches, and occupies the area where Jesus was born.  The silver star seen in the photo is in the Grotto of the Nativity, commemorating the spot where this most auspicious birth took place.

While at Petra in Jordan, we met Jim and Alexy, two soon to be doctors from, of all places, Harvard Medical School.  We enjoyed their company immensely, and saw them again in Israel in  Jerusalem and Safed.  While in Jerusalem, we toured the Dead Sea region together and, at the end of the day, posed for this picture overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.  Later, we traveled to Bethlehem together and even enjoyed Sunday Services at the Garden Tomb, a spot believed by some to be the true site of the tomb of Christ.  We look forward to seeing Jim and Alexy again in Boston.

While in Jerusalem, we toured the Dead Sea region (as mentioned above), and afterwards we traveled on to the Sea of Galilee, Safed and the old port of Akko.  See Go Day Tripping.

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