http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Middle East , Israel , Jerusalem District en-us Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:55:32 BST Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:55:32 BST HiI love Jerusalem it is authentic has the best weather in Israel and offers a great deal of attractions for every taste. As you may know the city has made some progress tourwise and there are quite a few new places to visit while touring Jerusalem. Anyway for all of you who visit Jerusalem on a frequent basis and also for those who plan a trip to Jerusalem in the near future I'd lik http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-319142.html Reunited at long last with my dearest friend we rode along the road heading away from Ben Gurion Airport and towards the city of Jerusalem. I sat observing vast land with a smattering of buildings and a striking church. I later learned that that church was the Church of All Nations where Jesus is believed to have prayed near the Mount of Olives. As we moved along she encouraged her chil http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-313664.html Shalom everyone. Thank you to everyone who has been keeping up with my journey its trials and tribulations its joys and passion. While this visit to Israel has been most memorable I look forward to returning to a semblance of normalcy in Minnesota. There my journey will definitely continue... Sunday August 10 2008Okay so Irsquove humbled myself a little bit in regards to Tish BrsquoAv http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-311112.html Thursday August 07 2008The summer yeshiva program officially ended today. We were fed pizza not recommended by American standards and falafel for a farewell lunch and gathering. Itrsquos really quite astonishing how quickly this program has grown. Not too long ago there were less than 10 students here for the summer. This summer there were over 135. And the beauty of it is that while the n http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-309484.html Tuesday July 29 2008Playing hooky on this Tuesday afternoon. Actually Irsquove decided none of the classes interest me on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons so my day ends at 4pm instead of 515. Gets to be a long day otherwise I can tell I am nearing the end of my stay here not only because of not being in class all the way through the afternoon but also I have been coming back to the apartment http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-307963.html So yesterday was one of my favorite days so far of course. We stayed in an international hostel in the old part of Jerusalem. The streets are narrow walkways paved with ancient stones one area actually said the stones were from the Roman period buildings built on top of each other for the last thousand years. On the inside the buildings look like little caves with arches supporting the s http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-306861.html We spent Wednesday and Thursday in Jeruslem.We started Wednesday a little slow because we went out and partied at Rivlin street 10 minute walk west of the Christian quarter until about 0430. Around 0930 we took a bus to Bethlehem in the West Bank Palestine area in which we had to cross a wall because Israel is building a wall to separate the Palestine areas from Israel. While we were in B http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-306730.html Sitting in a cave like cafe downstairs from our hostel in the old part inside the walled city of Jerusalem. It's amazing here Muslim Jewish and Christian pilgrims coexist but you can tell they don't really care for eachother. The people watching to say the least is interesting. We went to the Western Wall this afternoon and walked so much our legs are tired. Yesterday we went to the Sea of G http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-306083.html Well... after leaving the tour group in Amman including Ryan Tammy Rob and Tom who took off to Istanbul we arrived in Jerusalem. One of the coolest cities I have ever visited We checked into our hotel called Knights Palace which is built along side the old city wall and designed like an old crusader castle. For those that don't know the old city where most the significant religiuos sigh http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/blog-305985.html Friday July 25 2008Relaxing on Friday afternoon before Shabbat. Judy and I were up early today to meet another friend for a trip to the shuk outdoor market. We were finally able to get there without any security warnings we are told to stay away from highly populated areas during such warnings. First we stopped at a wonderful bagel shop naturally called Holy Bagel love the name to get a http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-305147.html Sorry I haven't updated this in such a long time but as you might imagine I've been very busy.Susan has taken a side trip alone to Eliat to go snorkeling in the Red Sea I decided not to go due to my toe having a nasty blister now so will stay back and take care of it.Rather than backtrack to what we've done in the past week I will tell you what Bridgette and I did today...rather I will let he http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-303690.html Shalom all Apparently Barak Obama is in town schmoozing it up with the Israelis funny it takes me coming half way around the world to get this close to an American presidential candidate He's staying at a hotel around the corner from here... Hope all is well on the home front Sunday July 20 2008The second session starts today. Said goodbye to those who left after the first session and welc http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-303661.html Well I have finally arrived in South Africa after a long and circuitous journey. I ended up flying through Tel Aviv and spending two days in Jerusalem It was quite wonderful and entirely too short. I got into New York early on the morning of the 16th of July and flew out again around noon headed to Israel. One side note to an otherwise uneventful flight they confiscated my laptop beca http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-303242.html Wednesday July 09 2008I had a fairly exciting day today. Arlette and I joined the yeshiva participants on a bus ride to the Kotel where they went for morning prayers that we skipped out on. Instead she and I visited the Temple Mount or Haram Esh Sharif in Islam where there are two mosques important to Muslims. I have never been on the other side of the Wall literally and figuratively so it http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-300626.html We just got back from our Dead Sea spa adventure.Patty picked us up at 7 am this morning we went to Masada first it was really amazing what a sad and tragic story. Rode the tram up of course it was 80 degrees by 9 am when we got there. And what a view.A very good museum very airconditioned inside which was really nice as by the time we were through it was almost a hundredFrom there we went t http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-300095.html We had fun shopping today the shoulk is full of people getting everything they need for Shabbos.We bought all sorts of fruits and vegetables halvah sweets and nuts.I'm having a good time I'm getting used to all the walking and the heat.Getting out of the cab yesterday I caught my big toenail on something and nearly tore it off it was bleeding pretty good and I cleaned it up and bandaged it http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-298402.html Shalom y'all Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. There was actually a July 4th celebration of sorts in Tel Aviv. I guess I'm not surprised since there are many expats and tourists from the States here. Anyway closing in on the end of another week... my is the time flying Have a great rest of the week... Monday July 07 2008I imagine these writings will become fewer as my days become mo http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-297607.html Saturday Night Night walk at the old city of Jerusalem http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/blog-297412.html Here are the pictures that should have been with the last entry http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-295595.html Last night we had a nice Shabbat meal of fish and vegetables bought at the local market.The fish was a red trout from Gallilee and a sea breem from Eliat near Egypt both wild caught.Susan went for a walk and found she could easily walk to the Jaffa gate in only 15 minutes from the apt. she went by herself I stayed home and took a nap before starting dinner.Our visit to the Shrine of the Book w http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-295571.html Shalom from JerusalemWe had a long day yesterday. After light breakfast we set out to the old city.It took us a while since we were not familiar with the bus routes and all but made it to the Jaffa Gate entrance eventually.It was around noon and I wanted to be able to call home and let you know to log on the www.thekotel.org so you could see and hear us but we have yet to figure out how to call http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-295162.html Hi everyone Hope this note finds you all well and enjoying the summer. It feels strange for me not to be thinking about the upcoming holiday as I would usually do have something to do with it not really being celebrated here Anyway enjoy the long weekend and be safe... Tuesday June 24 2008I think todayrsquos theme is ldquolost.rdquo No not the TV series but the way this day turned http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-294083.html Hi EveryoneI'm sorry I have not been able to update the blog yet. This is literally my first time sitting down at a computer since I have arrived. I won't have time to write a full entry until tonight however I wanted to say a quick hello. My experience in Israel thus far has been truly life changing. This place is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined and so rich in colorful history. http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-293097.html Over the past few days we have visited the Old Port of JaffaTel Aviv done some swimming in the warm clean waters of the Mediterranean Sea and learned the pitfalls of asking for directions on the streets of Israel's major cities. We also visited with some friends in Nes Ziona the Himmelhoch's. They welcomed us with a grand feast of meat vegetables and fruit. David really liked the cake. http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-292478.html ShalomSo much has happened here in the past week or so its hard to remember it all. I haven't been able to find the time or the internet connection to sit down and write so here's a short blurb.I'm currently in Jerusalem with a few days left. I know 7 letters of the Hebrew Aleph Bet and about 5 wordsphrases.I have been rapelling off a cliff in the Negev Desert. I've seen the Arab controlled Jeri http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-291250.html Well we made it safely to Jerusalem. First the Ben Gurion airport is stunning. There is a beautiful water sculpture in the middle of the lobby. The drive by Sharout to Jerusalem was a bit of an eye opener. We travelled with some Israeli's and they pointed out the various check points and the narrow corridor of undisputed land that links Tel Aviv to Jerusalem basically just the highway. T http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-291090.html Saturday 62108To airport at 615 thank you Susan. Everything smooth through security. Flight is 1 hrs late. I really donrsquot think things happen by chance since the flight was delayed I decided to splurge for breakfast. Good way to start the day after all. And then I promptly spilled a full cup of coffee into my lap. Explicatives abounded Irsquom afraid to say. Those who know me k http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/Jerusalem-District/Jerusalem/blog-290927.html