We've been eating buffet style in the hotel in Jerusalem, which basically means we're stuffed all the time! We're slowly learning how to pace ourselves and not eat everything in sight. They have some delicious sliced oranges and grapefruit, which we're really enjoying. Laurie had a plate full of healthy options!
We started the day by attending church at the BYU Jerusalem center. It is a beautiful, arched building built about 1984 right on the top of Mt. Scorpus.
From the garden patio they have spectacular views of the temple mount, as well as the rest of the city!
We arrived early enough to check out the gardens before church, which started at 10. They were in full bloom!
The grounds were really beautiful with lots of contemplative places to rest and enjoy the view. There was even a little stream going through them.
The olive press on display actually turned so you could get an idea how they extracted the olive oil.
There were so many other tour groups that we filled the auditorium to capacity for church!
We had super lessons in Sunday School and Relief Socity. We especially enjoyed a piece of cake they had brought to celebrate the 163rd birthday of Relief Society!
After church we walked along the Rampart wall of the old city from the Jaffa Gate to the Herod Gate.
It was interesting seeing so many homes right within the old city gates had satellite dishes and solar panels for the hot water heaters on the roof!
We had a nice view of the Dome of the Rock, but the section of the wall closest to it is not open for walkers.
We enjoyed walking through the market area. I would have bought some of the spices if I had any idea how to use them!
The Muslim women dress very modestly and there were lots of shops with ready made clothes for them.
We had a bite to eat at a restaurant in the old town.
We tried out some humus plates with beef and chicken shewarma, as well as some grape leaf-wrapped beef.
One of the men helping in the restaurant was a musician named Jamal al Huseiny, who is a professional musician who lives in England. He shared his YouTube channel with us at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS15dKBgeIM
Ken became a groupie!
We got back to the hotel in time for more buffet, but since we'd already eaten we went light. But, there's always room to try out some of the desserts! Today was a relaxing day, and hopefully we'll be rested up for our 7 a.m. start tomorrow to see the Temple Mount!
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