This is the last piece describing our trip including Auschwitz and Israel, that my son wanted to complete. You can see the other pieces 4 August, 7 August, 8 August, 9 August, 10 August, and 11 August.

I just realized I forgot to tell you how great Israeli breakfasts are. (Almost every hotel provides these as part of the day rate.) Diced veggies, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, cheeses, home-made bread, eggs (I can pass on these) herring (several types), granola…

After we enjoyed our hotel’s breakfast, we headed to Ir David. That is translated as the city of David. David’s Jerusalem was outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. (It’s officially – at least according to some folks- in East Jerusalem.) This archaeological site has been under investigation for about four decades now.

This was the city that David conquered from the Yevusi. (His coterie entered the city via the water system. No need to climb the walls. This water system was abandoned during David’s reign, and then expanded under King Chezkiyahu (Hezekiah), who developed an 1800 foot long system to provide water for the “old city”.)

And, the researchers just found proof that Babylon did indeed sack the city and burned it. A clear carbon layer dating to 580 BCE.

It’s also possible that they’ve found David’s Castle. (It’s officially called the Large Stone Structure and the Royal Quarter.) Where David managed to spy Batsheva bathing on the roof.

Once we finished our visit to Ir David, we trekked up (OK- up, down, up) to Machane Yehuda. A bustling, crowded farmers market. Where we stocked up on food that we would need for Shabat afternoon. (We don’t effect commerce on Shabat. And, most importantly, almost no shops or stores are opened on Shabat. We needed a nutritious lunch.)

We headed back to the hotel.  On the way, I stopped and my son didn’t know why.  Then he saw.  There was a man, trying to maneuver his powered wheelchair on the uneven (stone) walk.  Moreover, this was uphill and there were curbs.  It was clear he needed help- but the help he wanted was for me to ensure that as he maneuvered himself, the wheelchair and he would not topple.  I should touch nothing, help not at all, unless he would be in trouble.  It took him about 5 minutes to make his way to the street to power up to the special bus stop that was to take him somewhere for Shabat.  And, with only one (a little more than) close call, he did a wonderful job.  He’s obviously had lots of practice.

I then joined my son and rushed into the hotel, showered, and headed back to the Kotel. So, we could welcome the Shabat in at the wall.

We found a great group to join. Singing, dancing, joyous revelry. (And, you had to stay close to the group, because the Kotel area was thronged with all sorts of services going on at the same time.)

After such an invigorating start to the evening, we headed back to the hotel for dinner. (Yes, we prepaid for a Shabat dinner.) And, after dinner, we enjoyed another bottle of wine in our room.

The next morning, Shabat morning, we prayed at a nearby synagogue. Also spirited, but in a very different vein.

After our sumptuous lunch (with wine, of course), we took our Shabat nap. And, then trekked up around the Old City.

We visited the Armenian and Christian Quarter (including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre). Places Dan had never been before.

A short trek through the Arab Quarter and then back to Ben Yehuda.

To savor our last Jerusalem-prepared  Schwarma (after Shabat ended, of course). And, more jazz and more beer for Dan.

Our last night in the holy city of Yerushalayim. Because tomorrow, we will eat breakfast and head off to the airport for home.

First class. All the way- even the flights.  I’ll miss you, Jerusalem.

אִם-אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָם–
תִּשְׁכַּח יְמִינִי.
תִּדְבַּק-לְשׁוֹנִי, לְחִכִּי–
אִם-לֹא אֶזְכְּרֵכִי:

If I forget you, Jerusalem,
Let my right hand lose its abilities.
Let my tongue adhere to the roof of my mouth,
If I remember you not.