Belmont Jerusalem

... who has several guests and they have even running (cold) water, at least I do not have to flush the toilet with a bucket like I did in Rwanda. That was the worst; to take a bucket shower is not too bad. This family was supposed to be involved in the micro financial aspects but as of today this is not any more the case. Perhaps I will move to other lodgings I am not worried about that. Somebody will be waiting for me at ...

... complete lack of understanding of the country and thumps a stamp on my passport as if she was branding a cow. I quietly thank her and silently mouth the word 'Tweezers', hoping that she will subliminally pick up the hint.<br><br>OK, Egypt to Israel, Camels at the side of the road are replaced with Mercedes Benz parked neatly by each other, dusty roads replaced with dual carriageways, cafes of spiced coffee ...

... needs to go to work and I have some time to kill before Rinat comes to get me so I hang out with the little girls and we play games. They're cute, I like them.<br> <br>At night Taly, her boyfriend, Rinat and I go out to the Tel Aviv club district. We dance, we drink, we have a good ol' time. I really liked the fact that I was hanging out with two people I never see, and they're my family to boot.<br><br>The following day I went to the beach in Rishon Letzion with Taly and her boyfriend ...

This time the old city was amazing!<br><br>I got up at a zrazy 5am, walked the 45 mins (which I am now getting very bored with) into the old city.<br><br>I saw the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the western wall again, Via Dolorosa and the dome of the rock.<br><br>The Church of the Holy Sepulchre Is where jesus died, was bueried and rose again and the place is huge. There were very few people there and I found it mezmorizing, the place ...

... openly carrried by soldiers and others not in uniform, prayer on public buses, on the street, everywhere. Everyone, but everyone, has a cellphone in Israel, even the small schoolchildren that we observed. The streets are abuzz with people, all purposely going about their lives, all making out just fine. Now, we've been to other large cities before, so this isn't new to us. But unlike New York CIty, for instance, there is something happening here that may be more our ...

... to Jerusalem two or three times a year (e.g., for Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, etc). They had to climb that mountain many times, and it took many days to do it. They must have felt like they were walking to heaven too. It was no accident that God placed his temple in that spot. When we drove into the city, we had to pass through a checkpoint (one of many around that area), and then we could see the Mt of Olives ...

... through the cave, and we oohed and aahed to show our amazement at how deep the cave was. Looking disappointed though, the boy picked up another rock, and again threw it towards the back of the cave. Suddenly there was a rush of air and we were startled to see some bats flit out from the darkness. The boy was rapt, and hooted his approval, pointing excitedly at the roof where one had come to rest. I was about as excited as he was ...

... Second, they arise when people see a need to assert the superiority, not of their theology, but of their tradition or to spurn tradition altogether. Even today, churches' bells try to outring the Moslem calls to prayer every day (it's actually quite beautiful). I wonder if it's possible to learn and love our history, to be devoted to and practice faithfully our tradition, and to graciously make room for others. I wonder if it's possible to make room ...

... how high up we were until I saw the views but maybe its because the valley below us is below sea level. <br><br>Took a drive down the mountain through windy roads passing some camels which apparently go for 3000 dinar a piece. Better off getting a car surely. Then again you pay 150% tax on a car here in Jordan, or so I'm told, so perhaps not. The French couple I've been traveling with had some friends who came here prior to us, so they knew of a ...

... is the nature of Jerusalem - any seemingly irrelevant action can set off another religious group.<br><br><br>Ben Yehuda St<br><br>Lauren and I went for a walk along Ben Yehuda St, Jerusalem's main pedestrian road, which everyone raves about but isn't all that impressive. Some of the shops were nice though, especially the Judaica stores. I found a store selling novelty clay mezuzahs of sports teams, Super Mario and Family Guy characters, as ...