I made it to Jerusalem...
I arrived in Jerusalem early this morning by bus..... only one hour from Tel Aviv through biblical lanscape of rolling hills and stones. After walking through the Jaffa Gate into the Old City with my Virgin America roller-bag and checking into my hotel in the Christian Quarter, I set out to a place I have seen many times in pictures and read plenty about..... The Temple Mount and the Western Wall. I have always been fascinated by this place and I couldn't wait to see it with my own eyes. In my opinion, this is truly the center of the world; A place of enormous relevance both in history and today. Considering myself a courteous and respectful traveler, I donned a Jewish skullcap, prayed, and left a note at the Western Wall like all visiting diplomats do. On this day, the Chinese Vice President, Xi Jinping, did the same thing. Following him was a thousand excited Israeli school children clapping and singing. This spectacle was an amazing sight. Of course, this is probably just your average day here, but this is not an average place and not an average day for me.
I also acquainted myself somewhat with the neighborhoods of the Old City.... walking through the Arab Markets and the Jewish Quarter. I also walked the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried his cross before letting an Arab shopkeeper talk me into buying some things from his shop. This happens from time to time... I came away with a bunch of cool old photos of the Old City after some haggling. After he offered me some tea, some hookah, and a sandwich, I had to buy something.
Tomorrow, The West Bank.
Peace in the Middle East.
The view from my hostel....
The Vice President of China makes an appearance followed by hordes of media and a very important rabbi.
Paul Schroeder visits the Western Wall...... (I can pass as a Jew... see?)
I am starting to have a thing for IDF Girls.... cute girls with guns....
Thousands of young schoolchildren show up to sing songs and dance....
Leading the chants......
I also acquainted myself somewhat with the neighborhoods of the Old City.... walking through the Arab Markets and the Jewish Quarter. I also walked the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried his cross before letting an Arab shopkeeper talk me into buying some things from his shop. This happens from time to time... I came away with a bunch of cool old photos of the Old City after some haggling. After he offered me some tea, some hookah, and a sandwich, I had to buy something.
Tomorrow, The West Bank.
Peace in the Middle East.
The view from my hostel....
The Vice President of China makes an appearance followed by hordes of media and a very important rabbi.
Paul Schroeder visits the Western Wall...... (I can pass as a Jew... see?)
I am starting to have a thing for IDF Girls.... cute girls with guns....
Thousands of young schoolchildren show up to sing songs and dance....
Leading the chants......