The Bat Mitzva and John the Baptist

Last week we headed over to Jerusalem for a bat mitzva. It took place in a restaurant on Moshav Even Sapir, a distant family enclave, though the restaurant wasn't really a restaurant as it had been converted for celebratory purposes. We were late but at least we have a good excuse these days ("...anglosaxy junior wouldn't stop crying so we had to stop and feed him along the way...") - though next time I miss the belly dancer, I won't be so forgiving...

After soaking in some true Jewish spirit (OK, make that spirits), it was time to take junior back to his Christian roots. Just down the road from the restaurant is a Franciscan monastery, with its own spring (couldn't find a link). I was surprised to see it also contained a John the Baptist grotto (though this place was not the Church of St John the Baptist, just down the road in Ein Karem). After quickly dunking junior in the holy water (only kidding!) it was time to get the camera out. Grabbed a few pics, including the one below of Mad Monk Leonardo. Mad? Well, his sunglasses certainly were.

A multi-faith day out for the anglosaxies, many more to come.