Israel

So how does one even start to follow up an Egyptian adventure? One goes to Israel.

Before exploring Jerusalem, my family drove to the Galilee area to see many biblical sights.

The area of Galilee is quite something. There we visited the Mount of Beatitudes, the town of Capernaum, Nazareth, Mount Precipice and Mount Tabor.

Mount of Beatitudes

Mount of Beatitudes

Of course what would a trip be without sticking your toes in the sea of Galilee?

And who knew the best falafel I would ever have would be in a take-out restaurant next to a gas station?

Back in Jerusalem, we we able to see the major sights for three major religions. For the Muslims, we saw the Dome of the Rock. It was incredible.

Then we went to the Western Wall or the Wailing Wall where the Jewish people come to worship.

The Western Wall is divided up into sections, one for women and one for men. So we had to peer over the divider to see what was going on on the male side. I didn't know this, but they hold Bar Mitzvahs there.

It's pretty amazing to think how ancient this wall is and its significance.

We then visited some Christian sights including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb.

The next morning we visited the Garden of Gethsemane. There we got to hear a beautiful sermon by a priest in the Church of All Nations.

We finished our time in Israel by visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

In this area full of ancient sights, we did see something very modern. The separation wall.

Jerusalem (and its neighboring areas) is amazing. The fact that three major religions claim it as holy is pretty remarkable. Although it is hard not to notice the division and tension between the people that claim it as their own, it still easy to see that it is a place that can inspire a lot of inner peace. No matter what you believe, there is definitely a special feeling that comes with a visit to this city.