The Mount of Olives is a special place. According to the Gospels, Jesus went there to pray and he taught his disciples parables (stories) about being patient and waiting for his second coming. It was also on the Mount of Olives that Christ was betrayed by Judas, and arrested and later crucified.
There are several churches there that are in commemoration of his ministry and the important things that happened on this piece of land. It is awesome to see Christians of all denominations- Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant- coming together in faith and realizing what important things happened here.
The Mount of Olives is also the site of the biggest Jewish graveyard in the world. On a large plot of land that consists of some 70,000 graves; there are buried some famous rabbis along with other faithful. The cemetery had been in use since the First Temple Period, a testament to the long and rich history of this beautiful land.
Maria* and I enjoyed seeing the churches and cemetery, but there was a third reason we were curious to check the place out. About one year ago minus a week or so, we went up to the top of the Mount of Olives, and got pickpocketed by a dude who was selling maps, then ripped off by a restaurant owner who overcharged us for falafel and then his "brother" who drove us to the bank and demanded even more money for the "taxi fare".
Nothing of the sort happened this time, though we were approached by a guy who was trying to give us a large map while simultaneously trying to get his hands on my pack. We told him to shove off and he walked away. Different guy, but exactly the same tactic used a year ago. Basically, push a large map in someone's face with one hand so they don't see what you are doing, and try to use your other hand to snatch something of value. This happened in exactly the same place as last year, beside a church, in the exact same neighbourhood.
I am sure there are many decent people who live in that part of Jerusalem, and the area is poor. I wouldn't judge everyone living there based on what a small criminal element is doing to the tourists who wander by.
Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was betrayed.
Jewish graveyard. There are some 70,000 people buried here.
Maria* and I, with the city of Jerusalem and the cemetery in the background.
Cat chilling on the Mount. There are a lot of stray cats walking around Jerusalem, as well as Hebron,
In spite of how scruffy these felines look, it's tempting to pick one up and play with it. However, avoiding getting rabies is even a better idea.
The Falafel restaurant is the same place Maria and I were ripped off last year. I don't know who the owner is now, perhaps it's someone else who is a decent person. We didn't bother going inside to have a look.
Yes, the Mormons also have religious property on the Mount of Olives.
What you will see if you walk down through the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden.
* Most ISM volunteers use pseudonyms, this is the name my wife chose.
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