November 22, 2003

The view from the roof of our Old City hotel.

With Marthame nursing a cold, Elizabeth went to lovely handmade pottery and tile workshop, run by the Balian family, one of three Armenian families brought to Jerusalem in 1917 to renovate the ceramic tiles on the Dome of the Rock. The selection was delicious. We have always thought that before we leave we should get a few pieces of this stuff, so today was our chance. Elizabeth fantasized about having a kitchen and bathroom and balcony done in these beautiful tiles. Candleholders and coffee cups will do for now, though.

Friends met her at the shop, to help with last minute decisions, and then we went back to the hotel, to sit on the roof with Marthame for a bit and see the sun set over Jerusalem. Eventually we made our way to a nearby restaurant for good coffee, decent soup, and mediocre chicken. With a full list of errands tomorrow, we called it a night, and went back to the hotel early.