Old city and western wall

So, last night I took a tour of the old city and the western wall tunnels. Unfortunately I couldn't tell you much about the old city from the tour. There were too many people and I couldnt keep track of where we were and it was all very whirlwind. However it was uber cool at night and I have the pictures to prove it. The better part of the tour however was the tunnel tour. We had a woman originally from Philadelphia lead the tour and while she was unbearablly...hm how can I explain it. I guess I would say fake- overly chipper and clearly reciting a script in an unnatural way the irked me to no end, she was clear and informative. Though her manner had me ready to rip my hair out, like she was a robot, only a enthusiastic smiling one. Anyway, the western wall is only viewable in two secontions, the arab section of the old city and the portion you usually see known as the western wall. the other section has a different name I believe. However, the tunnels take you on the other side and I believe below street level so you see much more of the wall and get an idea of how it was 2,00 plus years ago.

The wall is so famous because it used to be the location of the first and second temple, both of which were destroyed. The temple site is actually the most holy site for Jews but the wall is as close as they can get so it is their most holy place. However, inside the tunnels you can get closer to the "Holy of Holies" the sacred area that only the high priest could enter one day of the year than even the outside wall and many people go there to pray. I touched my hand to it and said a short informal prayer as I passed. Then on our way to a Roman cistern form when the Roman's occupied the city we went through a section of twists and turns that had us feeling, as one woman put it, like indiana Jones. I'm talking it was really cool.

When we got out our tour guide gave us pieces of paper to write a note on. People come from all over to write a prayer on a paper and tuck it in the cracks and nices of the western wall. Tis was at 12:00 at night but it was still bustling wit people. A lot of Orthodox Jews were there, the ones with the black hats and two curls. Even the children dress in strict formal black coats and pants and hats, with the curls. There is a woman's and men's side whic I'm sure people will be all outraged about but it's their tradition and religion and I respect that. I'm not going to rally against it because despite the segregation the western wall is a beautiful place, with a reverence that overcomes whatever argument you could possibly start. I mean really it's not what's important. there's no place like it in America. To watch people pray at their most holy site, a site that had been denied to them for so long, except for one day a year is something beyond powerful. You arent supposed to turn your back on it because it's disrespectful to turn your back on such a holy place so when you leave you walk backwards. Even the young children were doing it and that was really neat to see, everyone doing the same.

I said a small prayer and put my notes in and it felt nice, it felt amazing just to be there to be a part of someting so important and so special. It felt nice to say a prayer for people I love, it meant a lot to me.

So I got home and it was like 1:00 AM. In the morning I had to go get food before I went back to te old city with Greg for a day time visit. See at sundown today Sabbat begins, the Jewis Holy Day, and everything shuts down. BUses dont run stores are closed, everything, because tey aren't supposed to work or even operate machinery or use technology at all. It's very strict. So I knew I would have to be stocked up on food. UNfortunately everyone else had the same idea and the store was packed with people getting their last pre shabbat shopping in. Also Jews have a shabbat meal friday night and saturday so Im sure people was buying last minute necessities for that. Luckily I grabbed a few yogurts and granola bars and was out of there fairly quick. By the way did you know you ave to pay to use the shopping carts there? Yeah, crazy, 5 shekel. I never pay.

Then Greg and I figured out the bus to go down to the old city. Bus 19 takes you right there and I bought a ten ride pass so I should be set. I was happy it was so easy! Only getting back was so complicated we never did find the bus stop for going the opposite way. Not after asking a bus DRIVER, a native, and calling the bus line itself!! because shabbat was approaching and Greg is orthodox I agreed to split a cab. It was so NICE. Leather and air conditioned and the guy simply asked would you like to pay 35 shekel or use te meter? Very politely, and we chose the 35 since we were splitting. He knew where the campus was and when we asked him to drop us off at the dorms he did so with no problems, and didnt charge any extra. It was stress free. I was so relieved!!!

Anyway, the old city during the day was amazing. Though it was bustling and busy the shop keepers always were right there when you looked the slightest bit interested and bothering you. They are much more bothersome than Italy, not in a rude way just in a "I want you to buy something" way.

So I was good at the bazaar actually, though I really want a necklace that's custom made with my name in Hebrew. I mean it's over priced but I think it would be super cool. Also I saw some really nice art of jerusalem that would make some nice gifts. I was saved by my camcorder providing a great distraction, as I was trying to video and not fall over and crack my head open. I succeeded. Our first stop was the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site were jesus was crucified and laid down after. I got a video and some pictures and went to where the crowd was to again say a small prayer for those I know it would mean most for at this site. I dont know if Im supposed to say who. Then I was desperate to find a place that sold rosaries for a friend's mother back home, I thought if i could get one here it would be the best site. Luckily a few steps away form the church there was a small religious article store and i got one there, the closest I could to such a holy site.

I was very glad I found one, most stuff is jewish there. Then we walked through the bazaar again, and to the western wall. The bazaar was amazing, and there was so much cool exotic looking stuff to buy! So so so many things, way better shopping than Italy for interesting stuff! Also they tried to sell my hookahs constantly, those were everywhere, haha. The only badpart wa sone street/ srea that was all butchers and it smelled sooo gross, and had dead animals hanging all over the place. I could barely handle the smell. Anyway onto the western wall, I had told him I wasn't dressed for it, and I hate breaking rules especially religious ones but he swore I'd be fine. Liar, my shoulder's werent covered and I was fairly mortified when the woman at the gate handed me a shawl. Many people inside had the site provided shawls and they had them for that reason to give out but I hate looking ignorant when I really do know the rules. Oh well. So we shot some video there and then left the old city to go to an outdoor more modern shopping center and eat. I had a fried cream cheese sandwhich. I think it was cream cheese and not sour cream o.O But it wasn't fried at all, just, grilled. It was like the egg you get on an egg mcmuffin only firmer and not tasting of egg. It didnt taste much like cream cheese or sour cream, which ever it was (I'm leaning towards cream cheese) but more like a mild mozarella. The rest of the sandwich was normal, tomato, mayo, lettuce etc. And there was an iced cappucino that was more like a shake but it was sooo good.

So then we tried to get back and went from one bus stop to another. We asked again and again but with time constraints we had to give up and take a cab. Le sigh. Oh well. But overall it was a nice day. We were only there three hours and I didnt go in one shop, except to get a few adapters. I'll have to go back and make a day of it there is so much to see and do there. However, I think today helped ease some of my nervousness. The bus is uber easy and never crowded (from what i've seen) which I love. Im so glad class is done by 12, so I have rest of the day to do as I please, granted I get my uber amounts of reading done. Yeah there's more reading than I thought and it's very necessary too.

Well Im currently uploading my videos which will be on youtube. Comment if you want to see them Im debating making them prvate so you might have to have an account and friend me or give me your email, Im not sure how it works. If it's too much hassle I'll make them public but that makes me a bit nervous for some reason. We'll see.