A plaque inside the Virgin Marr's home

A very colorful room inside the house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have been born within the walled city of Jerusalem.

It was really by chance we found out that this was the home where the Virgin Mary was born.   We were walking on a narrow street filled with Muslim tourists when their guide mentioned the relevance of the house to them.  We looked at the facade and sure enough the sign by the main door said so. 

Taken from the Mount of Olives, this view of the Dome of the Rock lingers in my mind to this very day.  I wanted to visit this very important mosque but sad to say, its entrance was limited to Muslims the time we tried to enter.  Also known as the Al Aqsa, we tried to enter the compound but the guards we talked to said no.  Do bear in mind that the Muslim guards were kind and polite the entire time we spoke to them.  

We saw this artwork by a public car garage everyday twice a day.  I liked its there of Unity.  I just had to take a picture before we left.

It's nice to see people of different religions together in this picture.

We had time to spare when we were in Jerusalem.  Too bad we didn't enter the museum of this tower which was part of the Museum of David.  It is now a popular site for concerts, light and sound shows, benefit events, and more.

The moat that surrounded the Tower of David

I took this mural while on a hunt for a bank ATM to withdraw money from. The Mahane Yehuda Market was likewise close by.

The Mahane Yehuda Market is a popular tourist attraction in Jerusalem.  Given that it is highly recommended by travel books and guides, we went a couple of times.  Truth to tell, though, we could only stay a few minutes each visit.  There were just too many people for my comfort.  

Mahane was quite colorful, I have to say.  

Oh my!  Halva! I had some of these sweet treats for breakfast every morning at the hostel. Mind you, they were not very sweet! That's why I had some.  They were a delight!

Who doesn't know baklava? I can eat a tray full of these famous Middle Eastern dessert any time.  Actually, I did.  When I was in Athens, I gorged on them until I couldn't eat anymore.  

One afternoon, we bought dinner to go at the stall right behind these tables and people eating. 

Street art

A view of the Israel Parliament called the Knesset taken from the grounds of the Museum of Israel

The fabulous Museum of Israel.  We spend hours here gawking at its impressive exhibits and galleries.  See my post on it.

I remember this part of the walled city very vividly.  We walked by here many times as we walked all over looking for souvenirs to purchase and take home. I did end up buying some rosaries, two area rugs, and a lutte (looks very much like a guitar) from Egypt the week we visited.

Who is that guy entering the Virgin Mary's house?

I bought some rosaries from this young man.  I found the younger vendors a lot more pleasant to deal with when I went shopping in Jerusalem. 

These stones that lined the streets inside the walled city were first discovered last 1977.  IT was revealed that they date back to the 3rd and 5th century AD.  

This huge radio stood right next to City Hall

This is the mosaic painting opposite the main entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  

This very blurry sign was the description provided for the stones that paved some city streets within the walled city.

On our last morning in Jerusalem, we decided to roam around the city once again before saying goodbye.  It was very quiet in the walled city with many of its residents still asleep. 

These were some of the deserted streets we walked on early Sunday morning.  What a difference!  BY middle of the day, these same streets are busy and full of people.