A visiting friend and I walked from the Knesset down to the Valley of the Cross, to the Monastery of the Holy Cross..
We bent low to get through the squat entrance, the only gate into the fortress-like 11th century monastery. (See a close-up of the opening here.) .
A ferociously barking German shepherd "welcomed" us.
Fortunately he was confined to the upper level.
Enlarge the picture and you can see a boxer dog next to him.
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The lower courtyard (next to a gift shop for Greek Orthodox religious items) was the realm of peaceful cats.
The cat on the right was looking up wistfully at little birds caged inside one of several aviaries.
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This strange collection of "monastery animals" is for Camera-Critters Sunday.
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Dogs on roof tops are common in Mexico, and I guess other places use them for guards as well. I'd like to visit that monastery, too.
ReplyDeleteKate--really, in Mexico too? I had never seen this before. The harsh barking seemed out of place for a monastery much visited by pilgrims.
ReplyDeleteOnly a few monks reside there.
I didn't know of roof dogs! I imagine it works...
ReplyDeleteI've seen goats on sod roofs, but I don't remember dogs on roofs even in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteThe cat reminds me of Herman, my best-cat-ever.
Very interesting photo for Camera Critters, Dina. Thanks!
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Nice post! I'm admiring the landscape of the first photo!
ReplyDeleteGive me the "peaceful realm of the cats" any day! I spy those Jerusalem panoramas decorating the gift shop dor.
ReplyDeleteLovely second photo. An oasis, despite of the dogs.
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny that the dogs are confined to the upper level and the cat gets that beautiful lower one.
ReplyDeleteThe cat certainly seems to be enjoying the "downstairs" view :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting via Camera Critters.