Thankfully, we'd already planned on relaxing into the last few days of our trip and, just in time, it was exactly what we needed, physically.
The first set of pictures are various views of the place we've stayed in all week--the YMCA Three Arches Hotel, directly across the street from the famed five star King David Hotel. Every day has been a treat in this well-kept secret of Jerusalem. We got the inside skinny from Dr. Eric Cline, and now we pass on to you.
For an amazingly inexpensive fee you get deluxe accomodations in a beautiful place with sumptuous breakfasts thrown in. The YMCA has a long and evidently beloved history with Jerusalem. Everyone we met smiled in surprise and acknowledged what a good choice we'd made.
Yesterday we decided to take the bus to visit the Bible Lands Museum. Israel has an impressive rapid transit system!
We learned things about the ancient Middle East we'd never heard before. For example, the ancient city of Mari, Syria counted its dynasties from the timing of the Flood. The Hebrew alphabet was adapted from ancient Canaanites' alphabet. Proto Hittites actually had their own form of hieroglyphics. And though there are significant and distinctive differences, there are also some striking similarities between ancient Egypt's and ancient Canaanite's religious practices, to Moses' instructions in the Pentateuch.
Afterwards we walked through one of the numerous beautiful parks that dot the city and watched children play in the city fountain before they were trundled off to Shabbat services.
Last night we walked up to the Jaffe Gate and did some people watching. Jewish families dressed in the garb of their various sects were streaming out of the Old City, having completed Shabbat worship, while Muslims in their own garb, men with their prayer rugs slung over their shoulders, streamed into the city for evening prayers.
Today we dedicated to exploring the archaeology section of the Israel Museum, which includes a permanent installation for the Dead Sea Scrolls. Even after five solid hours we did not see it all! So we bought the book.
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