Was up early to walk Michel to his bus to Amman and after a good bye walked up to post some cards and get a taxi to the border. Did not fully arrange the price with the cabbyso he tried to take me for a ride and tried to charge me 10jd. That is about 12 cdn. No way we came to an understanding and i left for the border by foot.
The Israel side was so very different from the get go. The terminus was so clean the guards were not to cuddly but what do you expect it was a border. After a load of questions they allowed me access to Israel.
popped up to the bus stop and found outthe only bus was at 2pm so what else . It was time to relax. Went to the Beach with book in hand. The town was like being in the US. The funny thing is this is the first women I had seen . In Jordan the women where full burka. You can in some cases not even see there eyes. In Israel they let it all hang out. Was like I was in Spain or Italy.
Almost finished my book and working on the tan.
met the bus and took the 4.5 hour bus trip to Jerusalem.
Was a dusty landscape with hills and once in a while you would see palms popping up. i sat beside a 20 year old woman that was a officer in the army. All Israelis have to serve 3 years in the army.
We discussed Israel and it quickly got political. I had spoken to two Jews and both started on about the Muslims and what the west thought of the Jews. There is a definite hate on for the Muslim's. She made comments about how loud they are etc... i told her I love the call to prayer and i was a morning person so i was a wake up call. She said that all Muslim hate the Jew's and she would never travel to Islamic countries. 20 years old and she seem to think she new the whole world. There was no way to convince her any different. She said again how all the Muslims were and rude. I Had it! i did tell her that one of the rudest guests i had ever had was Jewish and that I would never have my experience with him dictate my opinion of the Jewish people. They are kind and very warm people. That did shut her up.
The bus rolled into the city at sunset with lightning on the horizon. it was quite dramatic.
the rain started to come down but it was warm so i waked it to the old city to find the Petra hostel. made it a little wet but no problem. the hotel is very old but has loads of character. The price was 40 schekls in a dorm room. the door was wide open and looked into the old square.
Found the Internet that works well expect the pictures to follow tomorrow.
been a long day and plan to walk the city at the sunrise.
GPS location
31 46.604 N
035 13.714 E
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6 comments:
So did she give you a black eye with the butt of her rifle? Indeed - it's quite something how they are so adamant about their views at such young ages and don't question things.... we on the other hand question everything!
How come you changed your mind and went to Israel then? Group thing?
I hope you are visiting all the key tourists sites and taking lots of pics! Sounds like you are having a blast! What date are you home again??
Loving the GPS thing .... still!
Stay safe!
Nicky x
Hi Jay,
Just loving your blog and photos. Have just started following your adventures and appreciate your even-handed views on the whole Muslim/Zionist dynamic.
Keep up the good work - I am going to go onto your blog site tonight with my kids.
Just one question...for an encore are you going to take your next vacation in North Korea or Burma?
Keep safe - and if you see a triangls-shaped sail on a traditional wooden dhow - please snap a picture!
Warm regards
Randall
Hi Jay. Glad you arrived safely. Was it not a tad dangerous to be talking like that to a soldier and you a "foreign tourist person" :-)
I don't think she is any different from a lot of 20 year olds, just learning to speak for themselves but still remembering what they have been taught and not forming their own opinions yet. You never know you may have started her thinking. Way to go :-)
Jerusalem sounds great. Will you be visiting all the places from the bible I am sure there is one or two there of interest???
Well keep safe and try not to tick off too many cab drivers. If he would not budge maybe that was a fair price, did you think of that?
Love you
Mom :-)
Good morning Jay,
Just wanted to let you know that we are all loving your blogs and photos. It sounds like you are enjoying yourself.. you deserve it.
Just to let you know....we burned the inn down.. it was a pumpkin related incident .......... Hahahaha kidding.
We all miss you
See you soon
The Girls at the rosewood.
Hi Jay, great images and what an adventure! I put all the GPS coordinates in Google Earth, and it's a great way to see the sights around you with the panorama/image feature.
Interesting interaction with the local 20 year old...gives some insight as to why the thousand year old tensions and rifts will probably continue for quite some time.
take care, be safe and we'll see you when back in Victoria! - perhaps you'll share your pics with us via a slide show - very cool!
Jim
Hi Jay - what an awesome trip! so good to hear from you.
I truly believe that if we all made the effort, like you, to go out and meet real people in other countries, engage them in a way that is fair and unprejudiced, the world would indeed be a safer place.
I do feel for those women, though, that are not only covered, but forbidden to speak to you.
I understand your mom's concern - please be aware, and keep safe.
Look forward to talking when you get home.
Susan
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