Israel Day 3...

The more I get to know this place the more I love it. I got to spend time today in the Muslim quarter of the old city of Jerusalem and it was just fascinating to me the differences between the Jewish parts of town in contrast to the Arab parts. You never really get this perspective of Israel in the US. The richness in contrasts and the culture and history that runs deep within each people group here is so complicated and complex that it requires one to actually visit this place soak in what is really going on... even then I think you only get a slight glimpse at the depth of this land. Absolutely fascinating!

Amazing day waking up early to get some pictures of the city skyline, wading through Hezekiah's tunnel deep in the ground, eating amazing Arab food, walking through the via dolorosa and seeing the intensity with which people pray at the wailing wall. Absolutely striking images that I saw today and got etched in my mind and heart forever.

Sunrise covers Jerusalem...

Jewish tomb on the mount of olives...

Jewish soldier prays at the wailing wall...

Olive tree at the Garden of Gethsemane...

Ethiopian boys in the Muslim quarter of the 'old' city of Jerusalem...

We're out of Jerusalem tomorrow and headed towards the north of Israel for the rest of this week. Stay tuned for more.....