2nd Day in the Middle East

Jerusalem Travel Blog

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November 13th, 2007 – by: HIP2BSQRE

:30 AM: Dressed and realized how difficult it is to dress without turning on the lights and waking people up.

7:10 AM Asked person at hotel about ride to Mt of Olives. Person said to take taxi, but I decided to walk. Got out of Herod's Gate and found taxi. Paid him 40NIS –for the short ride. Too much, but he wanted more. Should have asked him to use his meter. At top of the hill, meet man who wanted to be my guide. Told him that I did not need a guide. Offered him coins, he refused so I did not bother with him. Was allowed into the Chapel of the Ascension for 3NIS ($1) since he did not have change. Ended up giving man some change later. Wanted to try and visit another church but found out it was too far and on a steep hill—gave up.

8:45 AM Visited Church of Peter Naster—lots of buses here and was very surprised.

Decided to catch taxi back, but alas there were no taxi's so had a long hot walk back to the old city.

11:00 AM decided to visit Mt. Zion, via Zion Gate. I got a little lost since there were no signs saying it was Zion Gate. Then managed to find sign. Went to King David's Tomb and washed my hands with Holy Water. Went to Upper Room, where they think that Jesus had his Last Supper. Meet a guy who wanted some money, gave him approx. $3. (Notice: A lot of people here wanted money). Talked to a lady about rifles to protect the children. Pretty sad---She said people would target the children that are why they are needed. It is one thing to see soldiers with rifles, by teachers? Visited Dominion Abby and took pictures and even went to the crypt. Man was upset since I wanted people in church pictures. There was a tower there, that allowed you to see all across the valley but it was closed.

Decided to find Garden of Gethemane. It was about a ½ mile walk around the outer Old City Wall. All you had to do was look for the tourist buses. Went inside Garden, very spiritual and took a few pictures. I was nearly locked inside since it closes at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM for prayers. Visited the Tomb of Mary—very beautiful in a crypt. Visited the Arabic part of town. Brought soda for 6.5 NIS, where beforehand I was paying 8 NIS. Also found out bread was cheaper than W. Jerseulum.

2:00 PM Had lunch and had coke drink. Did some emails.

3:00 PM Caught 9 bus to Israeli Museum. Arab bus driver was very nice.

4:15 PM Arrived at museum. They had English tour starting out at 4:30 PM that started out with only 1 person—moi.

Jesus slept here in his last night

Approx. 6 people joined tour. Went and saw Dead Sea Scrolls—very cold. (Next time---bring sweater). Saw model of Jerusalem from the 2^nd Century. Also saw an exhibit from China. A little afraid of how late bus ran.

8:00 PM Caught 9 bus back to new city---pretty surprised it was the same bus driver. The driver was very helpful and I gave him all the change that I had. (He was one of the few people who was helpful and did not want anything from me.

Talked with a couple of people---one from Japan and emailed Waddi about Beth. Tour. Went to bank---which was right next door and withdrew some cash. Went out to dinner. Meet two nice females—1 from NZ and 1 emigrating from France. Had shower