UNREST IN THE CHURCH

The winter is coming, a lot of people are saying. I just wonder what kind of 'winter' do they mean? It's been scorching hot again and there is no sign of any impending cold on the way. 
Not a terrifically exciting day at the Western Wall. Not much evidence of the big black hats and long frock coats that are usually depicted here at what is also called the Wailing Wall. 

One of a few

Just around the corner is the Eastern Wall where the museum is. During the last 50 years archaeological  digs have revealed the extent of this complex. 

Streets that would have been used 2000 years ago can be seen , in much the same way as those famously rutted ones in Pompeii have been uncovered. 

An interesting insight into the Jewish practice of washing  before entering the temple. 
So, dirty feet down the left side and clean feet up on the right. Luckily no water in the pool as I took this picture. 

Its probably well known that almost all Israelis, men and women, have to do national service and since arriving I couldn't help noticing the many army uniforms on the streets. But more than that they nearly all carry a very business like gun hanging from a shoulder strap. Me, not knowing one gun from another decided to have a chat with these three standing in the souk. They didn't mind me taking a picture and then their commanding officer appeared and offered to take this shot for me, of me. You can see how young they are, except for the person of a certain age standing beside them. I was told they are carrying M15s.


The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the honey pot for just about every religion. It was by all accounts a quiet day there and I'd hate to be there on a busy one. 

The attraction is the Aedicule which is the shrine enclosing parts of the tomb, it is alleged. Some of the desperate crowds queuing behind barriers were resorting to anything to jump the queue. A well built orthodox cleric, trying to extract two beefy looking women from the line, had to enlist the help of a security guard to turf them out.
It'll take too long to describe some of  the wacky conversations I have overheard. The best one was concerning the so called 'second coming'. It seems its very immanent and they are counting the days. It's going to happen very soon according to their source, whatever that is. They talk as if its fact, how often has that been predicted? 

I suppose that's Jerusalem for you!!!!!!