So this is sort of a photo dump of several small trips over the last week.  In the first, out class took a group excursion to the Greek Orthodox compound.  Everyone in Jerusalem has a “compound” or a “colony,” and the Greeks (and later, the Ethiopians) are no exception.  The main interesting thing about the Greek compound was that I was able to touch the spot where the tree that was used for the Cross grew.

Next, a very small group of us woke up very early to get a tour of the Knesset, the Israeli legislature.  Being the seat of the government for the State of Israel, the Knesset is one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the world.  After examining our passports, men and women with guns led us to the proper waiting room, a beautifully decorated room with art by famed Jewish artist Marc Chagall.  We were given a tour, both physically through the building, but also temporally through important events that have shaped the country, region, and to an extent, the modern political framework of the world.  We saw where Golda Meir made the controversial decision not to launch of a preemptive attack on Egypt, Jordan, and Syria and the very spot where Anwar Sadat came and offered his hand in peace, proving the way for first Arab country to normalize relations with Israel.

And finally, the entire class had another excursion to the Ethiopian compound in Jerusalem.  A 80 year-old Swedish women, who spoke 12 languages and converted to the Ethiopian church half a century ago, led out tour.  The pictures say the rest…

The inside of the Greek Othrodox compound. Here, the tree was grown that became the Cross.

A view of the Greek Orthdox courtyard.

The Knesset, the Israeli legistlature, in the distance

We couldn't bring cameras inside the Knesset, but this is a view of it from the outside viewed through blue rocket-proof glass.

The Knesset is one of the most secure places in the world, with multiple layers of screening at several stages.

The Ethiopian flag waves lazily above the Ethiopian Church.

The Ethiopian Church

An Ethiopian monk walks along the edge of the compound

Road trip to Addis Ababa much?

Ceiling of the Ethiopian Church

Cool painting inside the Ethiopian Church, depicting a mythological-like scene

Engrish

Cool fabrics inside the Ethiopian Church