Ola amigos!! Hope you haven't all been blown away by this storm I've heard about!? I must admit it's rather chilly in Jerusalem, but no wind!! So after my last blog I got chatting to an interesting English/Austrian guy in the hostel and my early night didn't happen! The hostel was great- a free dinner, free shesha, free breakfast and helpful staff.
Wednesday I walked with the guy from last night to the train station and managed to sort an Israeli SIM card! But the missed nights sleep and stinking cold had caught up with me, so I had a nap before heading out to explore some more- treated myself to a delicious quiche thing, the crust was like a pizza and the filling was poached egg, mushroom and fennel! Back at the hostel I rather randomly found a guy playing the violin on the toilet- he was very good- it was beautiful to listen to, if a bit surreal! Then up on the terrace a guy was giving another one a tattoo using the traditional blow and poke method with a stick, again surreal but interesting! So many Germans!! But I ended up chatting with 2 people from Manchester, it's funny how many people are here for holidays and all come expecting it to be much hotter than it is! I called at a supermarket and you wouldn't believe how expensive food is- I was horrified!
Thursday:
I checked out and headed for the bus station where I got a bus to Jerusalem. It's only 1.5 hour trip. Jerusalem is much more attractive than Tel Aviv and has an amazing character! It is law to build all buildings in stone, so it feels old! But the highlight is the diverse mix of people and religions! The old city has a Jewish, Armenian, Muslim and Christian quarter, but they live peacefully alongside each other and as you walk around you just see 100s of the Jewish orthodox, in their hats, beards and long black coats, alongside shoals of Muslims in their headdresses on a pilgrimage to the holy land, amidst groups of Christians who are wearing their neck badges stating "German Christian Tours" or "American Christian pilgrimage". And then there are the atheists like me, who are just being nosy! Outside the "old city" the new city consists of the Jewish part and Arabic part! I got totally lost finding the hostel, but eventually found it before heading out to do the free walking tour!! 4 people who I met on the Tel Aviv tour were also on it, haha! It was extremely interesting to be taken around the different quarters and hear the history, etc. Even though I don't believe in it and so felt like a bit of a hypocrite, we saw the wailing wall and the people all praying and posting their prayers into it! We saw the site where Jesus was supposedly crucified. The holy site where the Muslims believe the world began. The excavations that reveal some of the ancient history! So much history!! Bit gutted I only had a 50 shekel so had to tip the guide like £11!! But that is the suggested tip and I was horrified on the last one when a French couple gave the guide one Euro between them!!! Even I'm not that stingy!!
Back at the hostel, it has a terrace with a wonderful view of the city, although it was a bit cold to hang around for too long!! In the lounge I got chatting to an old English guy who looked like a tramp! He's been here months so I asked for suggestions for cheap food, however, when he recommended a place for like 30 shekels (£7), I recoiled in horror! Then shortly afterwards he gave me 50 shekels and told me to get myself a good hot meal!! Hahahaha!! I don't know if I've already lost weight or he just pitied me, but I did try and insist that I was ok and couldn't accept it. However, he wouldn't take it back! So maybe I am that stingy, lol!! I went out exploring again and come across a vege restaurant! It was the most amazing meal- help yourself to about 25 hot and cold vegan dishes!! And only 42 shekels (£10). I come back and these tramp like guys were multiplying, so I sat chatting to another one who was a bit nutty, but quite amusing!! The first one wouldn't accept the change from dinner, but I made him a green tea!!
Things shut down on a Friday afternoon and Saturday here, rather than Sunday. So I plan to travel in the morning to Ramallah, which is in the Palestinian area in the West Bank. I come back to Jerusalem on the walk and feel I've seen the highlights. My 600 mile walk starts in 2 weeks on Saturday, but I'm thinking of doing Jordan beforehand, as people say you need no more than 10 days there! I'll keep you posted! I'm really looking forward to the walk, a) turns out it's a cheap way to see the country, b) the cities are a must-see but, as I've said before, I prefer the nature and challenging myself.
Laters xx