Thursday, July 07, 2005
Day 42: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
July 7: Morning was very relaxing while the teams went to training (we're all staying in the same hotel for pre-camp).
The afternoon was spent in Jerusalem - we walked around parts of the Old City including the Zion Gate, Armenian area and the ruins located in the Jewish quarter, a golden menorah from over a thousand years ago, and then down the to Kotel (Western Wall/Wailing Wall). It's the holiest symbol in the Jewish religion and symbolises the western wall of the Temple that once stood on that site - which is now also where the Dome of the Rock stands.
Very emotional standing there... even though it was my fourth visit.
Unfortunately we didn't get much time at Yad Vashem - the Holocaust Memorial Centre - but we did get to see the Children's Memorial, Janus Korcheck statue, Hall of Rememberance and the new Museum with lots of artefacts and information about the persecution of Jews and others during World War II and in its lead-up. There was also a section about the Righteous Among the Nations (gentiles who helped save those being persecuted).
Having 600 people travel on a tour is hard to coordinate - hence being short on time these last two days has been unfortunate but expected.
The evening was spent back at the hotel - with a huge team BBQ dinner and dance party by the pool. Chilled out with some of the guys from the Masters Soccer and Open Cricket teams before hitting the sack.
Heard about the unfortunate terrorist incident in London. My thoughts go out to those affected and I wish everyone in London well at this terrible time.
The afternoon was spent in Jerusalem - we walked around parts of the Old City including the Zion Gate, Armenian area and the ruins located in the Jewish quarter, a golden menorah from over a thousand years ago, and then down the to Kotel (Western Wall/Wailing Wall). It's the holiest symbol in the Jewish religion and symbolises the western wall of the Temple that once stood on that site - which is now also where the Dome of the Rock stands.
Very emotional standing there... even though it was my fourth visit.
Unfortunately we didn't get much time at Yad Vashem - the Holocaust Memorial Centre - but we did get to see the Children's Memorial, Janus Korcheck statue, Hall of Rememberance and the new Museum with lots of artefacts and information about the persecution of Jews and others during World War II and in its lead-up. There was also a section about the Righteous Among the Nations (gentiles who helped save those being persecuted).
Having 600 people travel on a tour is hard to coordinate - hence being short on time these last two days has been unfortunate but expected.
The evening was spent back at the hotel - with a huge team BBQ dinner and dance party by the pool. Chilled out with some of the guys from the Masters Soccer and Open Cricket teams before hitting the sack.
Heard about the unfortunate terrorist incident in London. My thoughts go out to those affected and I wish everyone in London well at this terrible time.
# posted by mishij @ 6:53 AM 
