Thus They Call It The Promised Land (Part 6): Jerusalem The Beautiful, The White City Up The Hill

I did tell you that I'm not a professional blogger, so please be understanding, Friends, if I just posted this Holyland series now instead of two or three weeks ago! I think I still have two more posts, so bear with me!

Are you a fan of Lord of The Rings? If yes, and if you watched the movie, you’d know that in the 3rd installment there was a scene with a gorgeous animation of Gondor, The White City, in all its magnificence.
Now, as much as I adore the beautiful story, I know full well that Gondor only exists in Tolkien’s Middle Earth, not on our Earth. But, if Earth has a Gondor, then it must look like Jerusalem.

We reached Jerusalem very late at night and went straight to the hotel. After hours of bus ride across the Sinai desert, we were dead tired, hence didn’t pay any attention to the surroundings. Not to mention that it was already dark. So in the morning, after a good night sleep, a satisfying breakfast, and feeding our soul with a Holy Mass, we hopped onto the bus and headed to the city, ready for a day of spiritual adventure. And my my my…

Jerusalem.

The city I’ve heard so much about in the Bible and on the news. Amidst the early morning golden rays of sunshine, she came to life right before our very eyes, with all her splendor, grace and beauty.
Seeing this magnificent white city on the hill, my heart leaped with joy and gratefulness that God gave me, us, the opportunity to be there and then. I was not the only feeling that way, I suppose, since the whole bus suddenly sprang in impromptu manner and sang joyfully:

“Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

Open your gates and sing!

Hosana, in the highest! Hosana to your King!”

It’s so sad that such beautiful and historical city became a neverending source of conflict. I pray with all my heart that whatever the conflict is about, it will be resolved in peace. Amen.

See what I mean by 'the white city'? All buildings are built of limestone.

And the city is kinda hilly, so there are lots of streets going up and down.

I've heard about Mount Zion a lot in songs and books since I was a little girl, and now I'm going to see the real one. We're going to the walled city Old Jerusalem. So excited!!!!

Jeans: old GAP jeans. Sneakers: Nike. Hat: from Korea. Baby doll: from Malaysia. Nude cropped cardigan: Tommy Hilfiger (USA). Dangling earrings: Claire (USA). Red patent bag: from Philippines.