6,859 Steps against the wind, uphill, both ways

On Monday we set out on a field trip to several sites around Jerusalem!

Battling the Winds of Satan 

Our first stop was at the Elias Monastery, where I got my first view of Bethlehem! We climbed up a steepish hill through some beautiful groves of olive trees, fighting the winds of satan, to get this lovely view:

Bethlehem

Meg, Wesley, and I kicking it with Bethlehem

Jerusalem

After getting a peak at Bethlehem and a look at Jerusalem from behind, we got back on the bus and drove to the Haas Promenade Overlook. This looks from the south to the north, and has an absolutely wonderful panoramic view of Jerusalem and the geography of the area. 

View of Jerusalem, Kidron Valley, and the Old City

Close up of the Old City and the Dome of the Rock!

Next on the list was the Seven Arches Hotel Overlook, which was my personal favorite! The view from this overlook was breathtaking, and I met my first camel - Tojak! (see post below....we're pretty much BFF's by now...)

Again, the beautiful Dome of the Rock, but this time from the east 

Tojak!

Bell tower we climbed

Next we climbed up 227 stairs to the top of the Augusta Victoria Tower. This tower is in the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, and sits atop the Mount of Olives. The view from this bell tower was gorgeous, and we had a 360-degree vista of Jerusalem and the Judean wilderness. 

Windows in the church

Painting of the last supper

Window on the Mosque

Last stop was Nabi-Samuel, the place where it is believed the Prophet Samuel is buried. From this vantage point we viewed the West bank and surrounding cities. In fact, we were rebels and technically were in the West Bank! Holla! We walked around the site, and even went inside the mosque where there are tombs for both Jews and Muslims to commemorate Samuel's death.

View into the West Bank
If you look closely you can see the separation wall

Although it was a long, cold, windy day, it was very interesting and fun to skip around and see Jerusalem from every possible angle! North, east, south, west, diagonal, upside down...you name it! I love it - seeing the full area really makes the stories in the scriptures come to life. I feel so blessed to be here, I am learning so much and cannot wait to keep learning learning learning!