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November 23 - Day 11 Jerusalem
November 23 - Day 11 Jerusalem
Jerusalem, at last! It is difficult to describe in words what it is like to experience this place. The spiritual home of millions of people from three major religions it is truly one of the most unique, interesting and provocative cities in the world. Hopefully, over the next few days, Hilary and I will be able to convey some sense of what it is like to be here through this journal. If they are anything like it has been for us today, our first day in Jerusalem, it will be quite a story.
Jerusalem, at last! It is difficult to describe in words what it is like to experience this place. The spiritual home of millions of people from three major religions it is truly one of the most unique, interesting and provocative cities in the world. Hopefully, over the next few days, Hilary and I will be able to convey some sense of what it is like to be here through this journal. If they are anything like it has been for us today, our first day in Jerusalem, it will be quite a story.
We left our lovely little apartment in Jaffa in the morning, and took a bus here, about an hour's drive. We wanted to arrive as early as possible before Shabbat to explore the local market. A quick walk to the old City, and a very memorable visit to the Mayonot synagogue completed a very full day.
We left our lovely little apartment in Jaffa in the morning, and took a bus here, about an hour's drive. We wanted to arrive as early as possible before Shabbat to explore the local market. A quick walk to the old City, and a very memorable visit to the Mayonot synagogue completed a very full day.
Moving day. Luggage in hand, we're in the elevator to catch a cab, then a bus from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In the inner courtyard of our Jerusalem apartment. Built out of stone, the apartments were quiet at night, despite being in the heart of the city..
View from our balcony, overlooking the biggest market in Jerusalem. Our apartment location was amazing. The Mahane Yehuda is a cultural experience across the street in its own right, and we were only a short walk to restaurants,, museums, synagogues, and the Western Wall .
The video was taken from our balcony, a few hours the market closed for Shabbat. Businesses, including the market will be completely closed in the heart of Jerusalem until sunset on Saturday, so it's important to have everything for dinner before it shuts down at at 2:00 PM in preparation for Shabbat.
Having just arrived in Jerusalem that morning, it was important for us to get food for tonight, and the next day as well. It was a fun adventure taking on this mission.
Fortunately, our balcony is in better shape than this. Found a few blocks away.
A delicious brunch at a Kosher restaurant nearby..
Jerusalem is an interesting mix of very, very old, and very modern. Their rapid transit system is excellent, but interestingly we found this train travelling down the middle of a street filled with pedestrians. This proved to be a bit problematic when, as we were having lunch, one of them nearly ran over a young orthodox Jewish man with walking with earbuds, listening to music. Obviously, he didn't hear it coming!
Lunch done, and food stocked for tomorrow at our apartment, we ventured out again, this time to seek out the jewel of Jerusalem, the Old City.
The grand Walls, built by the Ottoman ruler, Süleyman I ("the Magnificent") in 1536, have eight gates, seven of which provide entrance to the city.
This one is the Jaffa Gate, which was the start of the road leading to jaffa. We saw an equivalent gate, located on the other side of the road in Jaffa, known there as the Jerusalem Gate.
Shabbat in Jerusalem is truly magical. These are some folks, perhaps from a tour group, hanging out at a cafe singing together while waiting for Shabbat to begin.
Click on the "play" button to listen in.
We were only a few minutes from our apartment, which was fortunate, as when we emerged from services it was pouring rain. A shabbat dinner of wine, Challah and Thai noodles awaited. It felt like camping, but it was fun.
After our brief visit to the Old City - more to come over the next few days - we found a synagogue, where we joined in on Shabbat services. This one had been recommended to us while we were in Vancouver.
Almost all synagogues are orthodo x in Jerusalem, rather than Conservative (which is ours, at home), or any of a number of different ones that can be found around the world. Although there are many similarities to Jewish services everywhere, a major difference is that in Orthodox synagogues men and women are separated by a barrier.
So I joined the 'guys' on one side. Although almost all of the service was in Hebrew, we felt very welcome. And, somehow, I knew enough about the service to muddle my way through. What made the service stand out from any of ours back home is that nearly everyone (except Hilary and I, perhaps) fluently spoke Hebrew. The words, therefore had deep meaning to them. The psalms were wonderful, and there was quite literally dancing in the aisles. You can imagine the sight of seeing orthodox men wearing very traditional garments with black hats and jackets, dancing and drumming rhythmically on the tables. It was an experience i will never forget.
Taking photos, of course is forbidden there, and ESPECIALLY on Shabbat, so we just have to remember what a special experience this was..
The Mahane Yehuda market, quiet now, looking out from our balcony at night.
Return to Hilary and Stan in Israel 2018
Return to Hilary and Stan in Israel 2018
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