We started our day at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was betrayed. Nearby is the Church of All Nations, a worldwide effort to commemorate the area. The church is very attractive on the outside but rather dark inside.

 

Next we drove to the top of the Mount of Olives for THE classic view of Jerusalem. We took a group photo here,

and then we walked down the hill to Dominus Flevit, the place where Jesus wept for Jerusalem.

 

On our way to the next church, we stopped for lunch at a Greek Orthodox Monastery — what a rip off! — $3 for a small bottle of water.

Our last stop of the day was Ein Karem, the home of Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Here we saw the Church of the Visitation,

commemorating Mary’s 3-month visit to assist her aging cousin with her pregnancy. Mary, of course, was also pregnant with Jesus.

Before we left the village we sampled some local gelato — very good!

And now, let me introduce our fellow pilgrims:

First of all, our leaders:

Belmont Tour representative & orchestrator of our trip

Our local guide, from Nazaren Tours

Our spiritual leader

The rest of our group, in no special order

Henry & Walter are brothers.

 

Joe & Peggy are our lone representatives from Long Island.

The previous three are from Bennington, Vermont. They have traveled with Frank before.

 

Our bus driver took us to places that buses should not be able to travel. He was absolutely excellent.

 

 

 

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