Twas Brillig: The City of David -- October 5, 2009

THE TUNNEL

We had to make a very circuitous trip to the City of David for our Field Trip this week. There were many blockades on the roads. Some of us ended up walking the entire distance because our Vans could not pass through. We’ve walked that far before as a group, but it was a warm day and the distance seemed longer.

Student excited to enter tunnel

The highlight of the City David is always a trip through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. The tunnel was dug underneath the Ophel in Jerusalem about 701 BC during the reign of Hezekiah. We have expert professors here who teach us all about it, but Wiki will give you a brief overview if you’d like to know more.

An expert teacher

Student preparing for tunnel entry

The signs say the walk through the tunnel is about 45 minutes long. We wear clothes that can get wet, and carry flashlights. The modern student has a light strapped to his/her head. I still carry a flashlight.

Student with the appropriate Headlamp.

Because it was a warm day, walking through the tunnel was refreshing. Most of the water is not deeper than mid-calf. But there are a few spots when it reaches mid-thigh. Most of the time one can walk upright, but there are stretches where one must stoop over. The sides of the tunnel are rather close to you, depending on how wide you are. I had about an inch on each side of me as I walked through.

The exit to the tunnel before the students arrive.

The exit to the tunnel after the students emerge.

There is a little shop when you exit the tunnel where you can purchase antiquities. I have enough antiquities already, so I’m not in the market. But evidently it is a good place for widow’s mites. We emerge from the tunnel with wet clothes, but they quickly dry out. Students like to frolic and play at the end of the tunnel and they get wetter than I do.