Crowne Plaza Jerusalem

... each with their own priests/outfits/etc. These kids have religions squeezed together like people on the London Underground at peak travel times. One hopes that it is a symbol of how people can still live together and respect each others beliefs. I also kind of understand how easy it is for tensions to mount, space is at a premium in the old city. Not so much in the new city outside the walls what with the ...

Sunday, September 20, 2009, 11:53 p.m.<br><br>from Fred<br><br>Friday: Started with an abortive attempt to drive to the City of David to do Hezikiah&#8217;s tunnel. I missed the turn off to Jaffa Gate and ended up on the road to Har Hatsofim (Mt Scopus), through a tunnel with no way to turn off or back track. So an hour later we arrived back at our starting point. What was gratifying is that we found our way back without difficulty and ...

... next year&#8217;s&#8230;<br><br>Mostly though, I have spent my final few days painting murals on some of the walls. I am so pleased to have the opportunity to do this as I always feel that I do not give myself self the time for art expression. It is lovely to have the creative space and be able to leave a really tangible mark here. I have painted the door of the just-started giftshop and, with the kids&#8217; help, Aztec designs on the walls around it. I have painted the stairs ...

... thinking that we could just make it up as we went along. Wrong! There are some things that are quite popular and advance reservations are essential. DId we get into any of there? No. Did we regret it? Yes. We spent a lot of time getting from place to place, getting lost a few times, and even took a bus tour on a double decker, yet we weren't able to see and do it all. Best as we tried, we weren't completely satisfied with our time spent in Jersulam, me more than Bonnie ...

... into the elevator to go up to the 19th floor, and none of the buttons worked. But the door closed and took us to the 2nd floor. I was frantically pushing the down button, and it took us back to the lobby. We got out and I stepped into the next elevator. Lo and behold, those buttons didn't work either! It was then I realized that the elevators were in "Shabbat mode". Since the Jews can't do any "work" during Shabbat ...

... hallways, it's not that easy. These little, covered streets go off in all directions, often with no street signs and not labeled on maps. I managed to walk all the way around this huge church without ever laying eyes on it. I just laughed all the way back to Christ Church. The weather changed today. It cooled enough that I wore a jacket most of the day. And the wind coming off the Mediterranean was strong. It really did ...

... is kind of oily on the skin. Shame the site was so littered. Rubbish everywhere. Never mind, rather put up with that than paying to enter one of the beaches which aren't much cleaner. <br><br>Drove back to Amman. Really enjoyed the morning. Driver was telling us he gambled and lost 1000 dinar last night so I think he was chuffed to bits to have got some money back to recoup his losses. Bought us all some snacks for free. Typical of Jordanian hospitality.

DISCLAIMER <br>I h*ve chosen to loc*te myself in Isr*el for this entry r*ther th*n The P*lestini*n Territories *nd I will refer to Isr*el for the rest of my jo*rn*l entries. I in no w*y intend to minimize the plight of the P*lestini*n peoples. I h*d to m*ke * choice *nd I've m*de it - send *ny e-m*ils of compl*int directly to rodney@*********.com. <br><br>CROSSING THE BORDER <br>Crossing the border into Isr*el w*s *s e*sy *nd ple*s*nt *s I ever im*gined. I left ...