Jerusalem

The first thing that we did when we (my friend and me) arrived in Jerusalem was getting some money at the nearest mall. And yes..they had to check my backpack again..and my handbag. There was a line for going in. We did our things and got out to find a bus..when my friend suddenly realised that he left 1 bag in the mall. He was just in time, otherwise there would have been an alarm in the mall. Actually...would have been interesting to see ;)

We took a bus to the famous market in Jerusalem, the Mahane Yehuda market. It was soooo busy...and with a backpack and such..not really comfortable :P But it was great anyway. I love markets. Bought a big box with all kinds of little breads (they call it cookies here) and a bag with vegetables.

We took a bus to our couchsurfingplace, because we had only an hour left before sunset (before saturday starts, before the last bus leaves). Our host was a really nice guy. He lived there with a roommate. He showed us the Haas Promenade, on which we made a nice walk with a great view over the city (I will make a panorama-picture). He had to leave us for a dinner with his friends...so we went for a stroll in the old city by night. It was amazing....I cannot say a lot about it..it's an experience...I guess you just have to check out the pictures...for a minimalistic reconstruction of that experience ;)

But the big, big thing that night was going to the Western Wall. The Shabbat night is the best night to go there...and it was amazing. It was weird...you felt the energy and excitement. It was like a festival..people were singing and jumping, it was...pff..cannot decribe it. People were praying..you saw a lot of different groups...and it was reallly busy. I took some pictures from far away..but not when I went through security..out of respect. We walked back to our hostaddress and I had a great sleep on the couch!

The next day we had some greeeat weather...and started by taking a walk in the Nahla'ot neighbourhood. This neighbourhood has some really cute alleys to walk through. After a while we got thirsty..but it's realy difficult to find something open. Even the 24/7 supermarkets are 24/6! But then....there was MacDonalds..and ofcourse that's open! We bought some drinks to take with us and went walking to the Old City again. We came through a very new shopping area..with art along the route. Stopped for some views..and decided to walk the Via Dolorosa, the last walk of Jesus. It began at the Moslim-quarter..and went further into the Christian-quarter. It was a happening....groups of people with crosses...singing...rushing by. It was a weird experience to walk there myself. It took us while...especially the last part that was in a church that we couldn't find at first :P. But joining tourgroups for some minutes helps ;).

We ended the day by going to Ein Kerem, a 'far away' neighbourhood with some great views. I saw a cat there with 2 different eyes. (yes...I love cats and had to tell this). And there was a beautifull Russian church...or something..with golden 'tops'. After a stroll and a drink we took the bus to our hostaddress and we decided to take a bus to Haifa that night. Some people need a week for Jerusalem...for now 2 days is enough. And the next day (today) would be a rainy day anyway. We first wanted to go to the Dead Sea..but with rain you cannot really go there. And I really had enough Holyness for the weekend and for a long time..so the bus to Haifa was a good option. I was glad to 'be home' again...haha.

Today was a couchpotato day again. I watched a movie I should have watched aaaages ago: One flew over the cuckoo's nest. Great movie!
And good to stay inside today...loads of rain. (Hoosbuien! in Dutch..).

Soo..that was it again! Chau!