Happy Valentine's Day

So it's Valentine's Day in Jerusalem and Ross and I went out on a search of a burger place - Score! Since we were on our own for dinner it worked out great.
Today was a day trip to Bethlehem which required crossing a Palestinian controlled checkpoint quick getting in and coming out two guys with assault rifles get on the bus, walk to the back and smile and say "Shalom" and off we go.
As we entered Bethlehem our Palestinian guide told us this is called "Shepherd's Field" - it is where "Shepherd's watched their flocks by night all seated on the ground" - paved road with cars overlooks it now.

We entered the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in Manger Square and I noticed this box - couldn't resist a photo while waiting in line to see where Christ was born. This required our guide paying off both an Armenian and Greek Orthodox priest so we could get in a little faster between their masses and have 8 minutes.

This is the inside of the church. Notice the gas heaters which I'm sure are not over 2,000 years old~

. The 14 pointed star marked the spot where Jesus was born. The 14 points are because Jesus is the 14th generation. There are also 14 Stations of the Cross on the way to the Crucifixion. More on that later.

This is where Jesus was lying in the manger

This is the milk grotto where supposedly while Mary was nursing Baby Jesus a drop of milk leaked to the ground. Now people come from far and wide to purchase stone powder to try to get pregnant - our guide said it was cheaper than in vitro.

A Bethlehem workman handmaking mother of pearl crosses all filigreed and very intricate.

I really just liked this colorful shop in the market area.

This is the hated wall that is causing all the trouble here. I do hope for peace for this area as it does not seem to be the people themselves who cause the problems - usually isn't! - they just want to live in peace, enjoy their friends and family and send kids off to school without worries about a sniper attack or suicide bomber.

All for now. Tomorrow morning early again we head off to the Dead Sea which will require crossing into Jordan which will require passports and a couple checkpoints! I have many stories to fill in the details of all these pictures but we have been super busy nearly every moment - but good busy. Ross in his understated way when asked if this is the best trip ever: "It's gotta be right up there - every bit as good as Egypt".