Jerusalem

Monday, it's Christmas Eve but it didn't feel or look anything like what we are use to.  Everything is open, there are only a few places that are playing Chritmas carols.  We took a walking tour with a guide to see the Old City.  He was very informative about the 4 religious areas in the Old City.

After the tour we caught a bus to Bethlehem.  We had to show our passports on our way to Bethlehem, a lot of security here.  We had a great taxi driver who was able to get us up to the Church of the Nativity through the crowded streets and all the security.  We found out that the president was going to be visiting the church and that was why there was all the security.  We were almost at the church when the police started turning everyone back and not allowing anyone else in that area.  So we had to turn around not being able to see the church.  We were herded into the Manger Square but there were so many people there we found our driver and took some pictures before we left the area.  Nasser, our driver then took us to his uncle's olive wood shop.  What beautiful pieces of carvings.  We all bought Nativity sets, I can' t wait to set it up next year for Christmas.  We also stopped at the Shepherd's Fields, however it was getting dark so not able to see a lot.  We returned to Jerusalem by bus and hurried to the Church of Christ to take part in the musical performance.  We sat enjoying the beautiful Christmas carols for about 2 hours.  That felt more like Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone from all of us here in Jerusalem.