Temple Mount Platform

we had a day free day to explore on our own. *code for a morning to sleep in past 7am!* I took the morning to walk around the Temple Mount platform. as a group we have toured the Western Wall of the Temple Mount and the surrounding area earlier in our trip. the Temple Mount Platform helped bring together the history of the religious center as the home of the Holy of Holies.



the Dome of the Rock mosque is the center of the Temple Mount.



it is believed that the mosque was built in a fashion to remove the "annoyance" constituted by the numerous fine buildings in other religions. instead they have built just one fine building!



while I was not able to go inside of the mosque, the exterior of the Dome is so intricate in itself. to create the Dome's splendor, 100,000 gold dinar coins were melted down and cast on the whole exterior, “which at the time had a strong glitter that no eye could look straight at it.”



I found it very appropriate that there was a sundial on an archway. at least in Judaism the time of day is very important. prayer is required three times a day each at a specific time. I have come to respect the reverence of the religion where ritual and tradition is very important in everyday life.



[hi Gail Enns! your son is alive and well.]

I spent a part of my afternoon exploring outside of the Old City wall. I traveled along Jaffa St. to shop around the shuq. traditionally shuqs are held outside of a city in the location where a caravan loaded with goods would stop and merchants would display their goods for sale. in Jerusalem there is a concentrated section with more permanent shops displaying mostly food and house ware items. it was truly a cultural experience. shop owners were yelling out produce prices, trying to beat out the neighboring store.



I passed produce stands with delicious fruits and vegetables, meat markers displaying fresh fish. there were a lot of people out shopping as well! all generations getting food together for the Shabbot meal. I bought fresh pita out of the oven and it was SO good! warm and doughy and so soft! it definitely beat the usual pita I eat with dinner!



I bought a cute cute dress for a wedding I am attending in June. haha!