Jerusalem

 Jerusalem is quite a contrast from Haifa and the smaller towns -- it's crowded and busy and very much a city.  I took the bus from Haifa (goodbye, beautiful Mediterranean!) and arrived around lunchtime.  My hotel is just off of Ben Yehuda street, a pedestrian shopping area, so it was fun to browse around some of the little shops.

Then I headed to the Old City.  I spent some time in the souk (marketplace), which is is a series of alleys lined with shops selling mostly souvenirs.  It's cool because there's a lot to see, but it's also exhausting because at almost every shop someone is trying to get you to come in ("I make you good price!"), and of course, at most of them there are no prices listed but only bargaining. Even outside the souk, the Old City is annoying because people are constantly accosting you to offer tours, "help", asking for donations, etc. It kind of takes away from being able to appreciate the history and significance of the place!

I went to the Western Wall, but didn't go up to the Dome of the Rock -- it's only open certain times, and I didn't make it here early enough.

Tomorrow the plan is to take a walking tour with one of the other folks from the workshop.

Approaching the Jaffa Gate

Outside the Old City

Souk (Market) in Old City

Do you think they get a lot of American tourists?  :)

Menorah in preparation for the Third Temple

Western Wall and Dome of the Rock

Western Wall

Spices in the souk