Arriving at the Damascus Gate

The Damascus Gate lies in the center of the north wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. The road used to lead out of Jerusalem into the open country, and wandered 100 miles or so straight north to.....Damascus. Thus, the name. It was always the hardest to defend, since it opened on to a great wide open plain from which invaders could easily approach the city, as opposed to other sides of the city which are surrounded by steep valleys. These days, the Damascus Gate leads out to.....a busy street with convenience stores and jewelry shops and lined with block after block of older buildings stretching as far as the eye can see. Jerusalem has grown outwards over the centuries, and the Babylonian and Assyrian warriors probably wouldn't recognize their old "stomping-upon" grounds today. If someone were to invade from the north, they would be stopped by outdoor Coca-Cola displays and racks of vegetable and fruit stands. Perhaps not bad plundering for modern times.

This is where I was dropped off and entered the city this afternoon. A small group of Palestinians was gathered near the bottom of the steps out of the picture to the left, listening to a man speaking, all under the watchful eyes of Israeli soldiers near the top of the steps to the right.