Orientation Walks

In Jan., April & Aug. '11 we took students on city walks.  On 1/24 & 8/30/11, we retraced our steps to take photos.  (Cameras were banned for use then.)  These all began at our lower JC door then down busy Shmuel Ben Adaya Street -- formerly an old Roman road connecting Jerusalem, Bethany & Jericho.

We passed the Red Crescent Hospital;  also the Commodore Hotel, where students ate before the JC had a kitchen in 1987.

We also passed an Arab trade tech college and nearby children's playground.

Jordanian Monument. A mile walk down Ben Adaya St. & across the Kidron Valley brought us to Sultan Suleyman St. & this monument. It honors Jordanian forces that perished in the 1967 war when Israel  recaptured East Jerusalem.  From there, we enjoyed the best views of Mt. Scopus and the Mount of Olives.

Hebrew University (with its iconic tower) was on the west side, and our JC was on the east, of the main road that divided West and East Jerusalem.

On the other side of our JC was the Lutheran Augusta Victoria Church of the Ascension tower.

Further along the skyline was the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension.  In the foreground was the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden -- 6 key acres in the new national park green belt that encircled much of the Mt. of Olives.

Across from the Monument were the Old City walls & the Rockefeller Museum.

We turned up Saladin Street at Herod's Gate--main entry to the Muslim Quarter.

We found our usual money changer at Aladdin's, near the main P. O.

Showing that money can't buy happiness, they gladly relieved any pain it may cause!

Across the street was a secluded Islamic cemetery--perhaps more likely the real garden tomb of Jesus. [See Sept. '10 post, Students -- Garden Tomb.]

Dr. Jeff Chadwick was a research fellow at the Albright Institute of archaeology. 

There, we turned towards the Protestant Garden Tomb, passing the St. George Hotel (now being renovated).  David O. McKay stayed there in the 1920s. 

The Ecole Biblique was a Catholic research college with a fine library.

The Protestant Garden Tomb was on Nablus (or "Shechem") Road.  (See Sept. '10 post, Garden Tomb.)

Next we reached historic Damascus Gate.  Fifteen feet below the current walls are the old Roman gates built by Hadrian after 130 AD for his Aelia Capitolina.

Inside Damascus Gate were colorful Arab markets and narrow, winding streets.  [See May '11 post, Jerusalem with Melissa.]

Ariel Sharon, Israel P.M. who helped to trigger the 2nd Intifada, made a bold statement with his home next to Damascus Gate -- in the Muslim Quarter. (Note the Israeli banner & rooftop Hannukiah.)

During our orientation walk with new faculty on 8/30/11, we saw these happy Sudanese Muslims rejoicing -- on the1st day after Ramadan.

The Austrian Hospice was on Al-Wad street, connecting Damascus Gate & the Temple Mount.  There, Pope Paul VI came in 1979 and Pope Benedict in 2009.

Its rooftop commanded some of the best views of the Old City -- and beyond. The Armenian Church dome is in the foreground.

The far horizon swept across Mt. Scopus, from our JC to the 7 Arches Hotel.

The Austrian Hospice itself was quite elegant, with a fine cafeteria and lobby.  (Hot chocolate never tasted better on a cold day in January.)

The small chapel was serene & beautiful.  On 10/9/11 we enjoyed lunch on their outdoor patio -- & also saw JC Hebrew Prof. Ophir Yarden's family there.

We were routed to Via Dolorosa at Station of the Cross #V -- commemorating Simon the Cyrenian's help in carrying the cross of Jesus.

These Roman paving stones were excavated when the sewer system was built.

Most streets have narrow stone ramps, used by one-wheeled carts.  Overhead were metal arches used to cover the markets during bad weather.

At the Coptic Monastery we ascended to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre roof.

In Jan '11 we descended thru the Ethiopian monastery, with paintings of the visit by the Queen of Sheba (considered an Ethiopian by them).

The historic Church of the Holy Sepulchre was the holiest site in the world to Catholics, Armenians & Orthodox.  Each shared jurisdiction there, but only a Muslim family was entrusted with the keys.   [See April '11 posts, Christian Churches and Jerusalem with Melissa, Dec. '11 post, Christmas with Melissa.]

Immediately inside was a replica of the stone where Jesus was supposedly prepared for burial.  Behind it is a huge mosaic depicting the crucifixion & burial.

Outside was a device used to blow up suspicious, abandoned packages.

Adjoining the outside plaza was a large Mosque.  When Omar the Great took the city in 638 AD, rather than worshipping in that church (and seeing it converted into a mosque by his followers), he prayed nearby where this mosque was later built.

Nearby were familiar shops, like that of Shaban--proudly pointing to his BYU banner. Some older men often played backgammon nearby.  

Jaffa Gate and Mamilla. With the students in Jan. & Aug. '11, we departed the Old City through Jaffa Gate -- its main commercial entry. For centuries it has been heavily fortified. Even in the 20th Century, Israelis attacked Jordanian forces there until they ran out of ammunition. Bullet holes are still visible.

We walked outside the ramparts into West Jerusalem.

Leaving thru Jaffa Gate, we encountered many Israeli Defense Forces.  Since there was no disturbance that day, they may have come just to reconnect with some of their own early heritage.

The Old City's Jewish north & west sides are nicely landscaped.

 Mamilla Mall. Closeby was this new upscale mall filled with modern shops -- a shoppers paradise. 

Old City Hall. Walking further north along Jaffa Blvd.--dividing West and East Jerusalem -- we saw further evidence of 1948 & 1967 warfare.  Jordanian forces had attacked the Israeli's until being driven back into the Old City in 1948.  The Old City was not retaken by the Israelis until 1967.









New City Hall.  Near the central bus station, it has a large plaza.  Here, Glenn Beck held his 2nd "Restore Courage" rally on 8/23/11. 

This large wall mosaic anciently depicted Jerusalem at the center of the earth, where all 3 tectonic continents converged -- Europe, Asia and Africa.

Ben Yehuda St.   This is the south end of a famous Jewish walking street.

 There were sights ranging from street musicians to Orthodox Jews.

We returned here on 1/24/11 and again on 4/24/11 with Melissa.  Marilyn found some interesting shops, artists and proprietors.

We had schwarmas for lunch = a large pita stuffed with turkey & many trimmings (including french fries).













Ice cream cones at McDonalds topped it off just right.

This memorial to terrorist victims in the 2001 Intifada ("uprising") reminded us that current peace is still tenuous. Tensions could easily escalate again.

On 8/30/11 our new faculty group was picked up on Hillel Street.

We were ready for the students -- and happy to return any time.