I decided this was as good a place as any to let everyone who cares to know such things, that I visited a shop in the Old City of Jerusalem, just inside the Jaffa Gate, that has been there since the year 1300AD. This business has been handed down from father to son for 26 generations! That is just impressive. I feel like I have to include this story too, because of the culture involved…so interesting!
So the business is called Razzouk’s. Here’s a picture of their sign.
Yep. I got a tattoo. Who is surprised, and who isn’t? I have actually been thinking about this particular tattoo for about 10 years. I found a photo in my phone of a tattoo artist’s ideas that dated 7 years ago and I had thought about it for a long time before that already. When this opportunity presented itself, with so much special-ness and meaning surrounding the location and timing, it took nothing for me to say yes. In fact, 7 other people got tats, too! Mine took less than 2 minutes by the dad, a master tattoo artist. 
They have a book in the shop of designs to choose from. There are stamps that they use as templates, and the stamps they have, have been in use for well over 500 years. Imagine, Christians from all over the world wearing tattoos to show their faith, through generations and across multiple cultures, while on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. It really fits the theme of this trip for me…you are not alone.
Here are some of the stamps. Several in our crew got Jerusalem crosses. A large cross with 4 smaller crosses in each quadrant. I had a custom idea in mind…like I said…I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I did not want anything that was dark or showy, but still visible and for me. I chose white ink, which, as it ages, looks more and more like a scar. OK…the picture you’ve been waiting for…”Nancy, what did you get?” Here you go!
So, keeping in mind that it needs to heal some yet, it’s still a little red from the excruciating less than 2 minutes of pain involved.
There’s my big reveal, the surprise, the first. As i type this, it’s a little more red yet, but doesn’t hurt. Healing nicely. A really cool way to finish up Day 6!