Arrival

So we left the airport and bussed for an hour to a hotel in Jerusalem. The country looks so peaceful at night. We arrived at our hotel which turns out to be just a few blocks walk from the Damascus Gate. I think we all slept well, but for not enough time.
At 11, we began our walking tour of the Old City, ending up at the Holy Sepulcher (as in the site where Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, and therefore also the site of the resurrection.) We'd heard that there were many pilgrims in town, but the church was as packed as Fr. Trapp had ever seen it (and he's been here like ~20 times). We were crushed inbehind a group of Greek old ladies in black. While waiting, a Russian group outsmarted us by a wedge formation which we didn't see coming -they had half their group through before we got into the groove and didn't let them elbow and squirm their way ahead of us. Fr. Trapp was only thinking charitable thoughts. Of course I did likewise....
It was a beautiful introduction. We walked a portion of the Via Dolorosa (ie, stations of the cross). I was struck immediatly with the sounds, the crowds, and the uphill nature of the trip. "No joke he fell," I thought. We ended up having pizza near the third station.
Afterwards, to keep from falling asleep, we walked to the Western wall, and finally were met by our driver, who took us here to Ein Kerem. The welcome by the Chemin Noef volunteers and the sisters was very warm. We were happy to check in. So far, so good. Well, with one exception: our three men with lost luggage are as yet using their clothes from Friday.