The Western Wall, the Old City, and the Mega Event

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Today our group traveled to the Western Wall. The place considered to be the Holliest for Jews in the World. We entered through tight security to get to the Western Wall. Once inside the women in our group were yelled at to cover their shoulders. There were some orthodox Jews handing out the wrap to put on for prayers. I put one on and was given a sheet of paper with the prayer on it. I headed over to the wall and began to pray and to put a note in the wall. During that time others and I were constantly bothered by guys trying to sell little red strings. I finished my prayer, removed the wrap, and silently left the wall. I am not a religious person but for a few moments I was the closest I have ever been to a mighty religious experience.

Our group left the wall and toured the old city of Jerusalem. It was a interesting place with lots old alley ways and covered walk ways. We headed over to the Cardo where the group did some shopping in the Arab market. This was my first real experience with bargaining. It was hard to know what to pay for something but if you stuck to your guns then you would get the price you asked for. I only thing I noticed was that every little shop had the same type items in them. It was a fun little shopping experience which I will have more of in Egypt.

To end our tour our group was taken to the Mega Event of Taglit - BirthRight Israel. There were almost 8 thousand Jews from 14 different countries at the event. BirthRight put on a great show with live music and dancing. It was a wonderful way to end the Israel experience. The next time I will write will be from Egypt. I fly to Cairo on June 15 and will be in that country till June 29th. So I bid my readers a good night and stay tuned for my next chapter of my adventure in Egypt.

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Photos

The Western Wall
Male Jews praying at the Western Wall.

I was there
Me after I had finished praying at the wall

Morrocan Meal
Our tour group had lunch in a house in a Morrocan village in Israel

The Mega Event
Over eight thousand Jews from around the world attended the event

Comments

[Chase N. Tales]

All that head banging
THe experince was great... you now had a religous moment in your life... Your bubbie would have said after you stopped banging your head onteh wall how good it felt....And you felt good after you stopped she was right...

[anglepie]

well done
The end of the first book of your adventure is here. The pictures are great and the food so colorful. I hope your next adventure in Egypt is even better. Be safe , take care as always , Mom