Through & Around the Old City

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Our apartment in Jerusalem is a few minutes' walk from Jaffa (aka Yafo) Gate and 10-15 minutes from the Western Wall (known as haKotel, the Wall, in Hebrew).

The men's side of the Wall.  A security check is required before entrance.  On Friday night the Wall is crowded with people celebrating the arrival of Shabbat!  It is truly a wonderful experience to be there with the celebration.
There are tours of the Western Wall tunnels (to the left of the entrance; close to the Netivaryeh, a yeshiva)--each about an hour and a half.

The Golden Gate.  It has been sealed up (as prophesied in the Bible) by the Muslims to prevent the Messiah from entering in during His second coming.  This is also the gate Yeshua (Jesus) entered through on a colt, the foal of a donkey.



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Through the Streets

Church of John the Baptist

Shawarmas and falafels are Israeli foods you can find everywhere!  Shawarmas are mostly filled with meat and are usually slightly bigger than falafels.

A fountain in Jerusalem.  Storekeepers in Jerusalem move their wares with wheelbarrows and sometimes small trucks with large wheels which allow them to drive up and down the steep, slippery stone steps.

Breadseller.  Hands are commonly used to pick through the loaves.

Vendor selling fresh-squeezed fruit drinks--a must to try in Israel!
Most fresh fruit drinks are sold for 4-15 shekels (depending on freshness and whether or not water has been added)

Every shop is tiny!  It is amazing to see how people are able to sell so many goods in such a small place (also see below)




Mount of Olives

Many people want to be buried on Mt. Olives so as to be ready when Messiah comes.  Tomb space costs range from $8,000 to $22,000.  Stones left on the tomb show how many people have come to pray for the buried one.  The more stones, the better.
At least ten men (a minyan) are needed to pray certain prayers for the person laid in the tomb.  The books they are holding (see photo above) are prayer books.

The way up to the top of the mountain is steep all the way through.  If we had known ahead of time, we'd have brought plenty of water and taken a quick trip to the restroom before the climb!  It costs 2 shekels to use the restroom at the foot of the mountain.  We were very thankful to arrive at the top!

And when we did arrive at the peak of the mountain, we saw...

The view from the top of the mountain is AMAZING!!  The dome-shaped structure is the Temple Mount, where the Temple once stood.

Comments

  1. reneeOctober 5, 2016 at 3:13 AM

    Yes, the streets are full of tiny shops just exploding with merchandise.
    Did you try the fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice? I think I had one every day...it's sooooo delicious.
    Did you dance with the women IDF soldiers on Erev Shabbat at the Kotel? That's always such a meaningful time with the women at the Wall.
    And at the top of the mountain (ah yes, I know the walk well), did you take a camel ride?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Catherine ChenOctober 6, 2016 at 9:28 AM

    The pomegranate juice is delicious, cool, and refreshing! I love it.
    We watched the soldiers dancing, but did not join in. I think we are still settling in a bit. :)
    No, we did not see any camels. If we had I'm sure we'd have taken a ride! Maybe we'll have a chance next time.

    ReplyDelete

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