Holy Land Tour - Day 2pm

View of the Mount of Olives just east of the old city with the Church of all Nations & Garden of Gethsemane prominent in foreground.

Adjacent to the Church of All Nations are the ancient olive trees of this famous garden that is believed to be the area where Jesus spent hours before his crucifixion.

Coming from olive country in California, Keith had seen many old olive trees before, but nothing like the huge gnarled trunks of these ancient trees reputed to be over 2,000 years old.

This well maintained garden area was peaceful & attractive.

Inside the Church, also called the Church of Gethsemane, is the altar & mural of the "Rock of Agony." (purchased slide)

A purchased slide of the actual "Rock of Agony" over which the Church was built. (purchased slide)

The columns & stained glass windows from inside the Church. (purchased slide)

We leave the Garden & Mount of Olives and head south towards Bethlehem.

We stop at some forgotten historic site on the road to Bethlehem.

Palestinian life goes on among the many historical religious sites along this road.

A view of one of the valleys dotted with caves that had been occupied for many centuries.

This might have been taken at or near the Valley of Gehenna or where they believe the potter's field was purchased or where Judas hung himself..?

On the road to Bethlehem, another distant view of barren hills (now probably dotted with illegal Israeli settlements).

Nearing Bethlehem, this is probably the view across the famous "Shepherds Field."

A closer view of Bethlehem as we near this famous city on a hot August afternoon - no longer the little village often depicted on Christmas cards.

View across Manger Square towards the entrance of the Church of Nativity. [see Bethlehem & Church photos from more recent times]

A close-up of the entrance shows how the doorway has been greatly reduced, reportedly to prevent animals from entering.

The sanctuary inside the Church.

The Grotto of Nativity below the Church (purchased slide).

The Star of Bethlehem with fake baby Jesus covering the opening in the silver star exposing the original rock floor (purchased slide).

Holy Manger (again, not much like my childhood images of the of the Christmas scene).

1960 Holy Land Tour - Day 2 PM - Thurs., Aug. 11