Day 12 - June 15

This is our last day in Israel.  We slept in again today.  We were ready to go to the Old City at about 9:15 am.  This morning, our merry band was four.  We started walking to the Damascus Gate.  Before coming to Israel, a friend of our pastor warned us that we should avoid the Damascus Gate.  It has become our entrance of choice.  What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday was the final day of celebration for the Islam holiday of Ramadan.  Yesterday, the Damascus Gate was packed as we left the Old City for the day.  Today the Muslims were sleeping or worshiping. 

Just inside the Damascus Gate yesterday (June 15th)

Just inside the Damascus Gate today (June 16th)

We headed through the Damascus Gate, through the Old City to the Jaffa Gate.  We toured the Tower of David Museum.  The museum is inside the Citadel, known as the Tower of David.  This museum is where we had watched the story of Jerusalem projected on the walls a few days ago.  We chose the tour without a guide.  As we walked through the museum we were able to soak in the history of Jerusalem at our own pace.   More information sunk in as we walked.  There was even some Chihuly glass exhibited here.  I had seen the Chihuly glass exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus.

Chihuly Glass at the start of the museum.

The green plants in the middle of the picture are glass and not real.

The views from the top of the museum/citadel walls were among the best that we have seen.  I took lots of pictures, some panoramas.

Panaroma of New and Old Jerusalem

 - gold dome is the Dome of the Rock.

Fortunately, it was a light day.  We were back in our hotel room to rest, pack and catch dinner before we make the long trip home.  We catch a bus to the airport at around 7:30 pm, get to the airport at 8:30 pm.  In Israel, you have to be at the airport 3 hours before the flight at around 11:30 pm.  We fly for 10 and a half hours to get to Newark, NJ then through customs and fly to Columbus.  We will arrive in Columbus, Ohio at 8:30 am tomorrow. 

Today is our final day in Israel.  It is a bittersweet feeling.  I look forward to being home and in my own bed but I can't believe that our trip is over.  We started planning and drumming up interest for this trip more than a year ago.  Those that wanted to come but didn't come with us, really lost out.  My mind almost explodes when I think about what I have seen and heard on this trip.  I have experienced almost all possible emotions on this trip.  I have laughed with my group as we did something silly.  I have cried as I was moved by what my Savior has done for me or as I prayed for the world, Israel, my friends and family at the Wailing Wall.  I have felt awe as I think about how much our God loves us and Israel.  I have felt a nervousness but not fear as I walked some of the streets of the Old City.  Yesterday was the final day of Ramadan.  The Muslims partied all night and this morning nearly all of the shops are closed.  It was eerie as we walked through the empty streets.  To me, there was an increase in my nervousness.  I have felt safe as we traveled all over Israel and Jerusalem.  We have crossed into Bethlehem through military checkpoints because it is a Palestinian held town.  We drove to the northernmost regions of Israel, just a stone's throw from Syria and Lebanon.  We drove along the border with Jordan for almost 100 miles.  At no point would I use the word "afraid".  Would I come back?  If my health holds out, I could see me coming back in a few years.  This was a great trip!