I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels in Jerusalem over the years, including the fabled King David. For a trip with my son, I decided to spend a couple nights at Christ Church Guesthouse, just inside the Old City of Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate.

What a great choice.

The church, the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East (built in the 1840s, so one hopes that on his trip through Palestine, Mark Twain at least popped in), Christ Church is a real oasis.

Just a few feet from the first British Consulate (1820), the guesthouse and grounds is perfect for pilgrims, is safe and comfortable.

There is even—apparently—a lecture later in the week on the subject of Bob Dylan and the end of time. I’m not sure if the two are linked.

In any event, we are off to the Dead Sea today, and Masada.