Palm Sunday

The past few days have been very interesting. It all began when we were able to once again visit the Western Wall for Shabbat. (Left - students walking along the Mount of Olives on our way to Bethphage). That was a great experience, even though I'd been there before. We joined a group that was singing and dancing. The group only spoke Hebrew so we couldn't really understand what the leaders were saying, but one of the guides started translating for us. That was really cool. (Right - the town of Bethphage on the east side of the Mount of Olives). I felt like a part of the celebrations. It was great to be accepted by the Jews celebrating there.
The next day was our Shabbat (yesterday). We had our usual church meetings. Then after church we had Enrichment. (Left - a group of Poles waiting to begin the walk to Jerusalem). That was fun and we had tasty treats (as usual with Relief Society). It was very different than our experience the night before, but not bad (obviously).
That brings me to this afternoon. Maybe some of you didn't realize, but today is Palm Sunday. (Right - inside the church at Bethphage). That is the day that is celebrated for the Savior's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Nearly 2000 years ago today, the Savior rode a donkey from Bethphage a city on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives up and over the Mount of Olives, down through the Kidron Valley and into Jerusalem while the people waved palm branches. (Left - The traditional rock inside the church at Bethphage). We walked that same walk.
We began by walking south from the center along the Mount of Olives. Then we headed down into Bethphage. (Right - With a palm branch while waiting to begin the procession). At Bethphage there is a church that was built around a rock that traditionally was the rock that Christ used to get on the donkey. There is a mural around it. It was a really beautiful church, but very crowded. Then again, this is a world event. People from all around the world come to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday and the week of Easter.
(Left - People watched the procession as we passed by). There were people selling palm branches and olive branches as we walked to the church. Several of the boys bought large branches, trying to get the largest one. Then we began the walk. I was near a group with instruments who were singing. (Right - many children were seen being carried by relatives while the kids waved little branches of their own. This little girl was really cute to see). It was a lot of fun especially since the songs that they were singing were very simple and easy to sing the chorus to. (Left - here you can see the mass of people in the procession behind me. It probably wouldn't have added so much time except people stopped to take pictures). I enjoyed myself a lot. The walk was long because it was slow going. You should have seen the mass of people there! It was incredible!
Finally we arrived at St. Anne's Cathedral near the Pool the Bethesda. (Right - view of the Old City as we walked into the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives). There we gathered in a large area and listened to music. We joined in dancing and even started some of our own. It was fun. It was also very different from the two previous days, but not in a bad way. That was my first time celebrating Palm Sunday. I guess this is a good way to start, walking the path that the Savior walked. It was great.

Lion's Gate - the gate by which we entered the Old City. The entrance on the left side of the street is the entrance to St. Anne's Cathedral. The band in the square by St. Anne's Cathedral. It always surprises me what you can find inside the city walls and behind other walls.