Israel Adventure - Day 13

We began today in our neighborhood with coffee and bagels at Bagel Cafe.

After breakfast we took the bus to the Albright Institute in Jerusalem. This institution helps facilitate archaeological research. They have fellowships and housing for graduate (PhD level) students in order to assist in research. We received a tour of the facility which included a library.

Following the Albright Institute we walked to the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum. Inside we found a great collection of pottery, artifacts, architecture, and even skeletal remains of people which have been found in Israel. We spent some time there and took lots of pictures.

Then we were on our own. The Rockefeller Museum is across from the Old City at Herod’s Gate, so we crossed the street. We did not go in Herod’s Gate because I got lost there on my first day in Jerusalem. Instead, we walked around the city towards the Jaffa Gate.

On the way to the Jaffa Gate we passed Zedekiah’s Cave. Tradition says the last king of Judea, Zedekiah, used this cave to escape the Babylonians. Some think Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant here … but a complete search has been made, and it was not found. Jeremiah probably hid the Ark in another cave more directly under Temple Mount. The limestone hills of Judea are filled with many caves.

We enjoyed the cave since the day was very hot and the cave was cool.

After departing the cave we went to the Jaffa Gate and to the Tower of David Museum. The museum is in a medieval fortress, or castle. Underneath the castle there are remains of King Herod’s palace from the time of Jesus. The museum contains the history of Jerusalem laid out in interesting fashion. There are lifelike displays which do not require much reading.

Above the museum there is a tower with a great view of the city. We spent some time looking, and then walking the ramparts.

After our visit we stopped at Aroma Coffee for one last cup of Cookies and Cream frozen Coffee.

We walked through the park, and stopped at the Artist’s Colony. We saw some great artwork. The first artist we visited just placed a piece in the North Carolina Museum of Art. We saw several shops, and then returned home.

After packing (yes, it was our last day in Jerusalem) we went to Jerusalem’s First Train Station for dinner. We found a great place we had not tried before, and ate a full breakfast. This included eggs, bread, salad, and items for dipping and eating such as feta cheese, cream cheese, olives, guacamole, jelly and other dips.

We arrived home and went to bed early since we had to meet our transportation to the airport at 3:45 a.m.