candace

After a classic (sumptuous) Israeli hotel breakfast, we headed to the Old City on foot. Shacharit services were held at the Egalitarian section of the Kotel. 

I had never been to this section before. Conceptually, I'm glad it's there and available but have to admit that it didn't feel like an authentic Kotel experience for me.

I was saddened to see how few people were at the Kotel plaza. In the past, you had to jostle to get close. Heavy sigh...

Our amazing guide, Kayla, gave us an in-depth history of the temples and explained about ongoing excavations around the southern wall. The breadth of her knowledge is truly impressive. 

We then headed to the Cardo where the shopping bug hit several of our group members. After that, we broke into smaller groups to explore. We walked and walked and walked. 

The Machane Yehuda market was as dynamic as I remember and best of all, the first place this trip where it wasn't obvious there was a war going on. It was full of people, food and a most welcome pre-Shabbat energy. 

15,000 + steps later, it's back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. 

We will be having Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner together as a group and then tomorrow a couple of walking tours and lectures. I will update late Saturday or Sunday.

Shabbat shalom...from Jerusalem.