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Day 2 or 1 as you can't really count the evening arrival as Day 1!
So after an amazing nights sleep and being woken up twice by the Synagogue's calling for prayer I decided it was time to get up and go and discover What Jerusalem had to offer! I was a little apprehensive as to what awaiting me outside the doors of the hostel but I soon found out I was in the middle if the Israeli rat race that was the old city. Hundreds of tiny walkways undercover made it feel like you were underground, either side of you little shops selling everything from souvenirs to clothes to food. Hundreds of Israeli men trying to coax you in at every turn. There were no tourists, either Israelis going about their business, old ladies shopping for spices or Jews on their way back from the Synagogue. I was definitely the minority!
I met a nice Russian girl who told me about a walking tour that she planned to go on that morning but she was still snoring soundly when I left so I thought I would try and find it myself. It was located at Jaffa gate so here was my first challenge! There was an occasional
Sign telling you were things were but the streets were literally a maze! Somehow I found it but sadly no walking tour so I decided to go it alone and see what I could find. First stop... Western Wall. This wasn't too hard to find... it was a case of follow the hundreds of Jews all who seemed to be carrying some sort of stalk or plant. On arriving at the wall I had to go via a metal detector and headed into a square of modestly dressed woman wearing scarfs and all holding what I assume was a copy of the Torah. None seemed to be reading it, just holding it with their heads up and eyes closed. As I got closer to the wall it was clear you wouldn't get anywhere near it with Jews lined up all the way along touching the wall and reciting or praying. In the area in front Jews sang and danced and seem to be generally celebrating life. I later found out the it was the start of the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Sukkot goes on for 7 days and has a double significance. One is that it marks the end of the agricultural year in Israel and also according to the Book of Leviticus it is commemorating the Exodus and the dependence of the People of Israel on the will of God.
After spending some fascinating time at the Western Wall and Temple I wandered around the city taking in all of the craziness that is the old city, guards with machine guns at every turn. It was mesmerising just watching the way of life, I can't imagine it's changed much in the last 1000 years. Walking into the old city is like walking into a gated community back in time. In the afternoon I visited the church of Holy Sepulchre which is believed to be the final resting place of Jesus. It was pretty unimpressive from the outside, however all the buildings in the old city could be mistaken for churches as they are so beautiful. Once inside the first thing you see is a marble slap raised from the floor and decorated with lanterns. People are kneeling all around it praying, touching and kissing it. I even saw a lady lay her baby on there. This is said to be where Jesus body was prepared for burial after he was crucified. It was amazing to see how people were behaving. Further into the church was the Rotuna. On one end is a shrine and in the other was the entrance to Jesus tomb. People queuing for hours to go inside and be blessed from touching the tomb. The actual tomb in the Rotunda is not the real coffin, it is believed the remains are somewhat below ground. The rest of the Church was beautiful although it was not exactly what I expected for the final resting place for the son of God.
After returning to the hostel for the evening I got chatting with an Aussie girl called Stevie from Melbourne (we had lots to talk about!) and a lady called Melodie, she was originally from America but is currently living in France as a Missionary. She had some amazing stories to tell! Sadly it is not advised to wander alone around the old city late at night.
- comments
Dad This is very different to anything you have experienced in the past, another culture so completely different, make the most of your time there.