Old City.

I did it! I managed to have all day off today so was able to go to Jerusalem for the day. I was up at 6:00 this morning, as usual, and managed to catch the 8:15 bus from Arad (which is a good thing because it's the only one that runs directly from Arad to J'lem).

So I got here at around 10:30, I think, and have just spent the day wandering around. It took me a good hour to get from the bus station to the Old City as I had no idea where I was or how to get anywhere. So I wandered around, lost, in blissful ignorance until I found Jaffa St. From there I knew how to get where I was going. And where was I going, you ask? Jaffa Gate, of course. One of...8 (?) gates into the Old City.

Within the first two minutes of entering through Jaffa Gate, four different old men had already offered to be my tour guide (not free) and/or attempted to coax me into spending money at their "family's shop". "No, thanks."

After a little more wandering around, taking in the wonderful, bustling city, I found the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (I was kind of looking...but not really). It was unbelievable. And, worth noting, the first time I've actually felt "overwhelmed" during my trip. There were something like a gajillion people in there/trying to get in/trying to get out and I can totally see why. The place was huge and I took somewhere around seven million pictures (I'll show you each and every one when I get home). Some of the more interesting artifacts were giant mosaics depicting the last hours of Christ's life and, of course, the stone on which it is believed Jesus was laid to rest after the crucifixion. There was also some kind of well or pot or something that a people were lined up to get their picture taken touching. I don't know what the significance of that was.

From there I headed EAST! I went and prayed at the Western Wall again and was trying to figure out how to get into the Temple Mount. I guess it was closed because there was this big sign that said it was closed. Yeah. I figured that out. It's interesting that there's a separate section for men and for women to pray at the wall. This morning the women's side was packed and there weren't very many dudes. Which is funny because the women's side is way smaller than the guys' side.

Then I wandered around a little more, saw some more stuff, and stopped for a falafel (I'm hooked).

I figured out yesterday that there isn't any line or combination of lines that will get me from Jerusalem back to Arad tonight. So the next thing was to do some more wandering...and look for a hostel. The first place I stopped at was very fancy and, understandably, all booked out. Fortunately, the place two doors back had dorm beds available and I payed the man. It's actually a really cool place, if you like caves. And I do. The low ceilings and uncut stone walls lend to the caviness as well as the low lighting and tight quarters. But it's cheap! I think there's about five or six floors because the stairs just kept going. Until I got to the roof, which was also awesome. It's a great view from up there and I would still be up there now if it hadn't gotten cold. Everything above the ground floor is private rooms and at the very top just before you get to the roof is a kitchen. But anyways, 55 shekels for a bed...I'm not complaining. And free internet. Did I mention the free internet?

After checking in I went back out to wander some more (this time without my heavy bag) and managed to find myself at one of the Muslim entrances to the Temple Mount. Thinking about it, that's really gotta be one of the safest places to be...the Muslim Quarter. I mean, really. Right? Like...who's gonna set off a bomb in the Muslim Quarter? Anywho, by the time I realized I wasn't supposed to be at that entrance, the cop was already hassling me. For some reason, his only interest seemed to be whether I had any hashish on me. And he had a big gun so I wasn't TOO sarcastic. He told me the Temple Mount was closed but not before systematically asking me what was in each of my pockets. Hashish? Nope. None in that pocket. What about this? What's this? That's my camera. Ipod. Wallet. Book. Hashish? Still none. Can't help you, buddy. By the time he got to the third pocket, I was walking away.

And that mostly covers my day. With a few minor details left out. Now I'm sitting on my bed at the Citadel Youth Hostel in the Old City in Jerusalem, Israel. It's only 6:40 but it's been a long day and I'm tired. I'll probably crash soon so I can get up early tomorrow and see a couple more things before heading back to Arad.

I have lots of new pictures but can't do anything with them until I get back home (Arad). So, you'll just have to be patient. I miss you all and I love you (especially you) and I can't wait to see you again soon. Thanks for tuning in! Goodnight.

.Timothy Ryan