What an interesting and lovely culture. Carol and I decided to walk to the old city today and had just started out when a man stopped and insisted that he take us in his taxi. Later when I reached for my wallet, he adamantly refused any payment. He recognized us as being from "Mormon University" (And of course, the fair and legit hope is that we will refer others to him and his business friends). He gave us an "off the beaten path" tour of the Mount of Olives and showed us his family property where they have lived for "460 years"--quite common for locals to know exactly how long they have been on the land. He showed us his olive orchards (on the Mt. of Olives) and explained somewhat about the care and keeping of the trees. Next he dropped us at his friend, Jimmy--proprietor of Jimmy's Bazaar. Jimmy and his thirteen craftsmen supply olive carvings of biblical (and B of M) characters. In discussion with Jimmy, it came up that I had lived in Lehi, Utah for many years and wouldn't you know that he is a long-time personal friend of the Mellor family who lived just down the street from me in Lehi. (Carl was principal of our kids' school when we moved there and I taught his children in seminary--plus many other dealings) It is a small world after all. Jimmy treated us to drinks--and of course already knew "no alcohol, coffee, etc." He then walked us down the street and pointed us to the garden tomb.
Such a wonderful culture. Such sweet, humble and good people. I pray for their well-being and for peace for all.
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