Jerusalem
Jerusalem…moving day went very well . On the sabbath buses and trains do not run but taxis and sheruts work very well even though they are a bit more expensive. I got lucky and they lined up efficiently with no need to wait anywhere … hurrah. From hostel to hostel I think it took 2 hours max…
I arrived here with few expectations …I thought … but I was taken by surprise driving in . Jerusalem is a city of 700,000 people and it takes a bit of time to drive in to the centre. That drive is mostly through buildings that are 30yrs old or less . Mostly multidwellings and all look quite good . I cannot get over how much this country has accomplished in it’s short and tumultuous history.
and then we have Jerusalem . My hostel/hotel is in East Jerusalem next to the old city …the Damascus Gate and my first glimpse of the walls were impressive … they are impressive … massive…fascinatingly beautiful.
I entered and discovered that I was in a market !! I did not for a moment realize that I was going to be in a market !!!Twisty turns ,cobbled streets , narrow (with special tiny tractors and trucks that make deliveries and collect garbage) and filled with people shopping and/or looking for Holy places…it was raining off and on and that did not add much to the experience because it was actually cold. Eventually I was able to figure out where I was and had no problem continuing to ask for directions.
I decided to check out the Church of the Holy Sepluchure as it seems to be the focal point of the Christian church here in Jerusalem .YIKES!! I can not relay to you the size of this place . It is large …and it was FULL of people coming and going , kneeling and praying , and bowing and crawling into small spaces and kissing others… … … … … I left . It was an absolute sensory overload that I had not been prepared for … I’m a quiet reserved Canadian !
I was also cold and tired so I headed back to the hostel , where I had upgraded my room to the hotel side and had supper then a hot shower and met a few of the other guests in the common area. That night I slept in my long underwear even with a heat turned on and an extra blanket…am I turning into a wimp or was I spoiled walking on the beach sleeveless with my pants rolled up?
If you discount the madness of shopping and the over the top religous fervor of the day it is an interesting and quite a beautiful space and there is so much to see and do . I am glad that I have the time to do quite a bit.
On Palm Sunday I was able to attend an English Mass at Saint Anne’s . It was in English and it is a parish of the White Fathers . It was a nice service filled with the joy of the occasion even though I was really tired since it was at 7am!!! I returned to the hostel for breakfast and a nap before heading out to a procession from the top of the Mount of Olives back to the city .Wow what an event . I ended up walking with the St Anne people who told me that this is the biggest celebration of the Easter season here in Jerusalem since all the Christian denominatons and sects get involved . I believe her . We were walking at the beginning of the group and it took us @ 1hour to descend the Mount . I sat down in the shade to rest (keep in mind I had to walk UP the Mount first) and it took another 90 minutes for the last group , a cardinal ,several bishops, a patrriarch or 2 and several other men of distiction to appear. It was a wonderful experience with singing ,drumming ,laughter and joy .It ended in the courtyard at St Anne’s with marching bands then music and dancing . What a day !
Monday was MUCH quieter… I walked the Southern ramparts of the city’s wall and then spent the afternoon in the archeological site of the second temple … very impressive . I can comprehend a tiny better why the Western Wall is so important to the Jewish people. Then I headed back to the Holy Sepulchre and am happy to state that it was a much better experience . Not crowded or frenzied this time. I joined a procession led by the Franciscans to 15 stations within the church and comprehend why so many people gather there. I may return again before I leave.
Today I walkd the Northern ramparts and checked out the churches at Gethsemane . A pretty simple day even though I have done a great deal of walking . I quite enjoy the walking and my body does well . the stairs can be a bit much at times but not a problem.
Tomorrow I am going to take a break from the old and tour the new Jerusalem . I look forward to doing that as it seems to have a lot to offer . Today is Passover so many things have been closed but it has not been a problem .
Hope all is well . Haven’t heard from some of you in a while .
More Source:
The Jerusalem WebsiteJerusalem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jerusalem
Jerusalem - Jerusalem.com
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Submited at Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 at 6:00 pm on Middle East by john
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