All photos were taken by the lovely Wilson Spearman. Thanks for your photography eye and for capturing the beauty of Jerusalem, even in the scorching heat!
Photos are great and all, but sometimes, descriptions really hit that sweet spot. Here's a short recap of everything you saw above - in words.
Machane Yehuda Market
Mahane Yehuda Market, often referred to as "The Shuk", is a large marketplace in Jerusalem, Israel. With over 250 vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds, and spices; wines and liquors; clothing and shoes and more, this market is bustling at every hour of the day, especially on Thursday nights.
In and around the market are falafel, shawarma, kibbeh, kebab, shashlik, knafeh, baklava, halva, zalabiya and Jerusalem mixed grill stands, juice bars, cafes, and restaurants. The color and bustle of the marketplace is accentuated by vendors who call out their prices to passersby. When we visited the 'Shuk' on Thursday night, the whole marketplace was converted into a nightlife center, with restaurants, bars and live music.
Church of Holy Sepulchre
The church contains, according to traditions dating back to at least the fourth century, the two holiest sites in Christianity: the site where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, at a place known as Calvary or Golgotha, and Jesus's empty tomb, where he is said to have been buried and resurrected.
Western Wall
The Western Wall, or “Wailing Wall”, is the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, it is the western support wall of the Temple Mount. Thousands of people journey to the wall every year to visit and recite prayers, and these prayers are either spoken or written down and placed in the cracks of the wall. The wall is divided into two sections, one area for males and the other for females.
Western Wall Tunnels
When Jerusalem was preparing defenses against the approaching Assyrian army in the 8th century B.C.E., King Hezekiah decided to protect the water source by diverting its flow deep into the city with an impressive tunnel system. This engineering feat was accomplished by digging a 1,750-foot (533 meter) tunnel into the mountain.