Blogs from Jerusalem District, Israel, Middle East - page 3

Toured the multicultural city of Jerusalem today. Dome of the Rock - moslem, Christian Church St. Anne's in honor of the mother of Jesus, and heard a Jewish call for evening prayer. A 4th quadrant of the city is Armenian. And yet they all walk through eachothers' quadrants. We were mostly in the moslem quadrant today and yet saw an orhodox jew and a catholic nun walking through. I felt remarkably safe with a sea of people around me. The Temple Mount, first built by King Solomon aorund 970 BC, then King Herod, around 60 AD. Then the Romans destroyed it 100 years later, and the moslems built their temple 500 years later after it was in ruins for centuries. What a remarkable history.... read more

"Non è la prima volta e non sara' l'ultima. Ma ieri e' corso il sangue dentro la Basilica del Santo Sepolcro dopo che l'ennesima disputa tra pope greco -ortodossi e monaci armeni e' degenerata in una rissa da saloon, a calci e pugni, ceri branditi come bastoni, tabernacoli rivoltati, inseguimenti e agguati nella penombra delle navate, i pellegrini in fuga terrorizzati. Con intervento finale della polizia israeliana in tenuta antisommossa e arresto di due tra i piu' focosi contendenti." No, non e' la prima volta e non sara' nemmeno l'ultima che il Mercante vi racconta cazzate ma in questo caso e' tutto vero: il virgolettato e' preso parola per parola da La Repubblica del 10 Novembre 2008 e comunque questo genere di "battibecchi" sono davvero frequenti. Ma come siamo messi quest'anno in vista del Sacro Natale? ... read more

Today my host (friend) set up a meeting for me with her friend to get a special, off the beaten path, view of Jerusalem. I met Sara downtown Jerusalem and spent the next several hours experiencing this city she loves through her eyes and her stories. I could not believe the pocket neighborhoods hiding in this big city. Absolutly beautiful! Sara was so sweet during the next couple of hours and was very concerned that I wasn't asking any questions. I couldn't because I was just soaking everything in. Again, here I was experiencing something special that another tourist would never get. I have been consistently humbled to have received the many gifts that Isreal has given to me! After several hours of walking and listening to Sara, she invited me back to her home for ... read more

Coming to Isreal's official memorial to the victim's of the Holocaust was a requirement for my trip and one I do not regret. But first order of business, I needed to get my Rav Kav card! What is it? The transportation card that allows you to use the bus/light rail system. So, off I went to find the central station. I got onto bus 75 and the driver was so helpful. He told me when to get off and where to go. Into Central Station I went up to the 3rd floor and I followed the Rav Kav signs. Got my number and waited in line. Before I knew it, my number was called. Even though the clerk did not speak English, we were able to communicate enough that I was given my card! How cool ... read more

So last day in Tel Aviv...what to do? After a wonderful breakfast I headed back to the beach. I spent the next couple of hours walking in the water, looking out to the Mediteranian and enjoying the peace that comes with the water. Then it became decision time...because I am not Jewish, nor am I familiar with their customs, when I was planning this trip, I planned my travel days on Saturday. Big mistake! Why? Because of Shabbat! Pretty much everything shuts down Friday night and doesn't start up again until Sunday. So that means no public transportation. Private taxi it is then. With that comes more freedom of choice. So, do i go early or later? I decided to head back to Jaffa and go later...benefit of traveling alone, I get to make all the ... read more