Part Four
Full Day #3
Today involves a lot of travel. I don’t mind that, though, and in fact I’ve been looking forward to it. Our destination is Jerusalem!
We all get in our buses and start heading south, following the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
I was really fortunate at one point, accidentally so. I was seated on the right side of the bus and I happened to notice we went over a very small bridge. It looked to me like an ordinary ditch or maybe a small creek. However, in checking my map application, it turns out I saw exactly where the Jordan River begins, transporting water from the Sea of Galilee, then due south to the Dead Sea.
Since my generally bad luck and fate usually work against me with these types of things, I give myself a figurative pat on the back.
We head away from the Sea of Galilee and I’m marveling at just how close we are to the country of Jordan. (Unbeknownst to me, we would be even closer before this pilgrimage is over but that will be covered in another day’s entry.)
The further south we go, the more the landscape changes. Slowly, the green that is so indicative of Galilee turns into desert terrain. It seems we are starting to move into how I always pictured the Holy Land.
It takes a while but our caravan of buses finally makes a turn due west and we begin to go up…up…up…up.
This is not the same kind of switchback road that we experienced yesterday on Mount Tabor. Our guide explains the geography of Jerusalem, emphasizing it is at a higher elevation than much of the surrounding countryside. And, just about any way you approach it, you go up. We start getting closer and closer to the city (my map app confirms this) but it doesn’t really seem like we are in civilization. We pass up some Bedouin camps and our guide tells us how this culture still adheres to some of their first century traditions in how they live—even if during the workday they practice modern-day professions.
We enter a tunnel and our guide tells us, “be sure to be looking towards the left.” Indeed, when we clear the tunnel we have a view of Jerusalem, especially the old city. The Dome of the Rock with its golden top is impossible to miss.
Not too far into the city, our buses pull off the highway and next thing we know we are at a restaurant for today’s mid-day meal. In the pre-trip material our esteemed guides noted that at this location we would have a great view of the city. Very true!
Lunch was delicious and I realize I can’t get enough of hummus!
After lunch everyone has a few minutes to spend some time outside the restaurant and obviously we were all enjoying the great view of the city.
Our stomachs full, and needing our legs to be good and stretched after the long bus ride, it’s time to go to our next destination. Our bus drivers negotiate some narrow streets and we soon stop and disembark.
How about a walk?
We are on the eastern edge of the city and the route we are now walking is thought to be very similar to the route used by Jesus as He made the triumphal entry into the city on Palm Sunday.
One thing I will definitely remember about this walk is that it was downhill. And when I say downhill I mean downhill. To be sure, for those with with knee issues it could be challenging and I’m thankful for good footwear.
We stop, we sit, and Lino gives another talk. Where we are sitting is considered to be the area where Jesus stopped and wept over the city. All of us, I’m sure, have different responses combined with different reactions. For me it is yet another opportunity to pause, be quiet, and reflect.
Next up is the Garden of Gethsemane. There is an adjacent church where our Mass for the day will take place.
Granted, I had very very few disappointments on this trip. Yet one that stands out is I didn’t get to spend more time just walking through the Garden of Gethsemane and taking time to meditate. Conversely, I also accept that is what happens when you’re part of a tour group.
In any event the Mass is meaningful, wonderful (as all of them have been so far), and Father Dave gives great homilies.
The Mass is ended and then it’s back to the tour buses (thankfully we did not have to walk uphill).
Our next destination is Bethlehem. I’m paying particular attention because this involves crossing over from Israel into Palestine, specifically the West Bank. While on the map this leg is a short distance, it takes a while as…Jerusalem also has rush hour! No matter, and we arrive at the hotel where we will spend the next two nights.