Israel

Newest first

Trip start
July 11, 2023
Israel Traveler
Long first day(s)
July 13, 2023 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Yesterday was long. I was away for over 24 hours, possibly the first time ever. Despite a few hiccups, we arrived safe and sound in Jerusalem. It was an adventure, but I don't want to focus on the negatives (mostly things out of my control and a couple of dumb mistakes on my part).

We are in a beautiful apartment not far from Ben Yehuda. Some website calls this neighborhood Nahlaot but I have no idea if that is accurate. Everything seems old and significant and mysterious. Arch-covered alleys leading to courtyards or other streets, half-naked Israeli women smoking and walking beside Hasidim, Hebrew all around us (that we don't understand at all). I'm sure we stick out like sore thumbs - when people immediately flip into English, that's a sure sign. Does that mean they look down at us? I don't know. It's scary and intriguing. I wish I could just wander the streets all day taking it in.

But, we have to get some things in. Not sure what it will be today. Maybe the Old City.Read more
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Israel Traveler
The Old City
July 13, 2023 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
Woke up today and realized we are a stone's throw from Mahane Yehuda. We found a gluten-free stall and got some supplies, and then wandered the market a bit and got some fruit for breakfast. After eating, we walked down Jaffa Road to the old city of Jerusalem.

The old city seems a bit to me like Niagara Falls - a must see, but lots of tourists and hawkers of souvenirs. That got me a bit down. We soldiered on.

We went through the Muslim Quarter, maybe a bit of the Christian Quarter and finally found our way to the Jewish Quarter. We had not planned on actually going to the Western Wall (don't ask me why, I have no idea), but when we got there, we went down and through security (Yallah! Hurry Up!).

In the heat of the day and the crowds, it was a lot to take in and we balked at going up close. We decided to get food and promptly got lost when we took a less busy exit that led to the maze of yeshivot and synagogues.

Amongst the very religious Jews there, we were largely invisible. They must be used to accidental interlopers. We eventually found our way the food area and had some falafel and then decided to head back to Agripas.

I vastly over estimated how much we could pull off in a day, especially in the heat. After some down time and unintentional naps, we headed out to Ben Yehuda and got some dinner. More falafel for some, shawarma for others. The back to Mahane Yehuda for desert. It was a very different places from when we went in the morning - like one big open party. We got our desert and went back to the apartment and called it a day.Read more
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Israel Traveler
Old City, Take 2
July 14, 2023 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
With Shabbat coming on us, we started by getting some food at a local supermarket and Mahane Yehuda. Things close early on Fridays and most things are closed on Saturday, so the market was really hopping. We ate and then decided to take another shot at the Old City. Specifically, the Kotel.

We got there a little easier this time (taking a critical right turn in the Muslim Quarter that shortened our trip significantly). This time, we got right up to the wall. Jonah and Ari put on tefillin, courtesy of Chabad. We took a peek at the men davening in the shul in the tunnel off to the left, and then took some time at the Wall itself.

Next, we went back to the Cardo, got some refreshment and took a stroll through the small area of art stores. Lilly navigated purchasing a bracelet, and was very please with herself for completing the sale on her own.

More walking, and back to the apartment for our own Shabbat dinner. Getting to services somewhere is more than we want to take on right now so we're just going to stay in.Read more
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Trip end
July 25, 2023

Long first day(s)

The Old City

Old City, Take 2