Birthday in the Holy Land

What a birthday to spend it in the Holy Land! I didnt quite remember which day it was till I checked my watch. That day we headed to Jerusalem from Tiberias. What a great day to see the history of economics and politics in relation to the land at Megiddo. And then Caesarea by the Sea, amazing to have such ancient ruins and historical site next to a power plant and people doing water sports (jet skis, fishing, and windsurfing!). The ancient next to the modern. Strange and yet reminds me how new our country's history is.
And then there we were on the Mount of Olives looking at the old city and the Temple on the Mount. It's big! Really it is quite overwhelming. There is so much.
Today we started at the Western Wall during Sabbath. The spiritual presence was quite powerful. I managed to get close to the wall and touch it, standing between Jewish women. A few others from my group came by me and we stood there crying. At what, I am not fully sure. I would still need to make time to reflect upon what was going on. It was just the beginning of a full morning walking back and forth around the Old City seeing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (site of Jesus' crucifixion, anointing and tomb). The devotion of the crowds gathered, the praying, the closeness to a physical site and places of worship.
What a way to spend a birthday!!