Well the New hostel was a charm. the outside looked like a 18th century french manor. It totally lacked charm but it did have a great view of the jaffa gate.
My day was full of walking and exploring. i have learned so much about he Jewish faith in such a short time. The young men with the black hats and beards are studying the Torah and training to be Rabi's.
They are paid by the state. I was able to be in Jerusalem for the shabat. Stores are closed and people are not to work or eat meat/ This is from sunset Friday to sunset on Saturday. The Muslim markets were open so i did not have to do without food.
Met a English man named harry that evening . He had just returned from the west bank. the security was crazy. He was interrogated for about 30 minutes but he said it was not a bad experience.
I have had a hard time with so many guns. Automatic weapons in the hands of 18 year old men and woman. I saw a pretty woman in street clothes walking down the street wearing anything a woman would wear at home. Accept for the machine gun on her back. They have to keep it with them at all times. It is a criminal offence if you loose your gun.
most Jews said to me after only a moment how the Arabs hate them. i am at an Internet cafe. i told the young man how I have been enjoying my trip Turkey to Israel and Jordan. He replies that the Arabs hate then because they have so much. I told him not one Arab has said anything negative about the Jews to me . he did agree the Bedouin were good people. The hate runs deep on both sides. If i had one thing I could change in the world with would be this.
The mount of Olives was amazing and the streets of Jerusalem are like a maze with no dead ends. The city is so very old. getting up at at 6am is the best after 9am the street change to one big bizarre. The city is broken up in sections. Jewish quarter , Muslim quarter, Armenian quarter. In such a small place you can walk 30 feet and it feels different. Spent all my time i the old city. Went out for a beer with my new friend Harry and slept like the dead.
Was woken by the chain smoking roommate that came from California in 2005 and never left.
Now were to go next. Was up to see a little more before packing up and heading for the bus station. After walking about 20 minutes we were all stopped by the police. the road was blocked and police were everywhere. There was suspicious package. I could see the demolitions robot disarm the package/ the road was blocked for 30 minutes. caused quite the traffic jam.
The bus station was large and part of a mall. Every building you enter you have to endure a bag check. It is common place so no one complains.
Met a charming woman from Texas Andrea who now lives in Bethlehem. She was a christian that teaches English to Muslim women. We chatted about the trip and her experiences here.
The sun set over the mountains and we arrived back in Eilat. I was invited to join her friends for dinner and they showed me to the hostel on the beach.
Long but rewarding day.
My day was full of walking and exploring. i have learned so much about he Jewish faith in such a short time. The young men with the black hats and beards are studying the Torah and training to be Rabi's.
They are paid by the state. I was able to be in Jerusalem for the shabat. Stores are closed and people are not to work or eat meat/ This is from sunset Friday to sunset on Saturday. The Muslim markets were open so i did not have to do without food.
Met a English man named harry that evening . He had just returned from the west bank. the security was crazy. He was interrogated for about 30 minutes but he said it was not a bad experience.
I have had a hard time with so many guns. Automatic weapons in the hands of 18 year old men and woman. I saw a pretty woman in street clothes walking down the street wearing anything a woman would wear at home. Accept for the machine gun on her back. They have to keep it with them at all times. It is a criminal offence if you loose your gun.
most Jews said to me after only a moment how the Arabs hate them. i am at an Internet cafe. i told the young man how I have been enjoying my trip Turkey to Israel and Jordan. He replies that the Arabs hate then because they have so much. I told him not one Arab has said anything negative about the Jews to me . he did agree the Bedouin were good people. The hate runs deep on both sides. If i had one thing I could change in the world with would be this.
The mount of Olives was amazing and the streets of Jerusalem are like a maze with no dead ends. The city is so very old. getting up at at 6am is the best after 9am the street change to one big bizarre. The city is broken up in sections. Jewish quarter , Muslim quarter, Armenian quarter. In such a small place you can walk 30 feet and it feels different. Spent all my time i the old city. Went out for a beer with my new friend Harry and slept like the dead.
Was woken by the chain smoking roommate that came from California in 2005 and never left.
Now were to go next. Was up to see a little more before packing up and heading for the bus station. After walking about 20 minutes we were all stopped by the police. the road was blocked and police were everywhere. There was suspicious package. I could see the demolitions robot disarm the package/ the road was blocked for 30 minutes. caused quite the traffic jam.
The bus station was large and part of a mall. Every building you enter you have to endure a bag check. It is common place so no one complains.
Met a charming woman from Texas Andrea who now lives in Bethlehem. She was a christian that teaches English to Muslim women. We chatted about the trip and her experiences here.
The sun set over the mountains and we arrived back in Eilat. I was invited to join her friends for dinner and they showed me to the hostel on the beach.
Long but rewarding day.
4 comments:
Hi Jay, Wow! What a journey! Graham and I would love to journey to the middle east. Can't wait to hear about your journey first hand!
Along with everyone else, we wish you safe travels and wonderful experiences! Take care Jacquie
Hi Jay!
What an incredible experience! I don't know if I'd have the guts to go to the Middle East with all the strife and hatred between different factions.
Look forward to you returning safely and sharing your impressions first hand.
Take good care of yourself. Andy
My computer won't allow me to view your site anymore as the granny security comes on!!! I can't remember the codse so am viewing this at work
Sounds like a great trip. Have to go as I have to prepare for a meeting but take care especially from those guns
Love You
Mom :-)
People should read this.
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