Shopping in the Old City

The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four parts- an Arab Christian Quarter, an Arab Muslim Quarter, a Jewish Quarter, and an Armenia Quarter. People set up shop and do business, but it is much more than a trip to the mall. It is where people also get together to discuss life, politics, faith.

Many of the stores sell Christian souvenirs like icons, woodcarvings, holy oil and other products that are often painstakingly carved by hand before being put to the shelves. 

A view from the wall of the city of the Damascus Gate (1).

A view from the wall of the city of the Damascus Gate (2).

Palestinian Muslims buying and selling food at the market. It is Ramadan, so they are fasting until it gets dark. 

Market scene from either the Arab Christian or Arab Muslim Quarter...I forget which one, unfortunately.

A shop in the Jewish Quarter, selling Jewish religious souvenirs.

A Jewish woman selling fresh fruit juice and slushies at a food stand in the Jewish Quarter.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Like last year, Maria* and I visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the place where Jesus was buried and resurrected. The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most important components of the Christian faith. Although Christ was crucified, God raised him from the dead.

Death is only a temporary thing, it is not the final word. God has the Final Word, and those who follow Him will one day have everlasting life.

The pictures below are from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The beautiful woman in the blue shirt and glasses is Maria*, my wife.

* Most ISM volunteers use pseudonyms, this is the name my wife chose.

"Jesus Taxi"

On the Mount of Olives, Maria* and I met a Palestinian elderly man who was offering people the oppurtunity to sit on his donkey. He called it a "Jesus Taxi".

He definitely is right, Jesus did travel on a donkey. In fact, when he entered Jerusalem for a triumphal parade that we mark on Palm Sunday, he did it not on a warhorse or an elephant, but a donkey. He showed that the power of the Kingdom of God is not military power or political power, as many were expecting and hoping for.

It's easy to pass up an oppurtunity to sit on a donkey, but a Jesus Taxi is another story completely. After this adventure, another man who was there asked us if we want to ride on his camel. It was my wife's second time since her time in Africa, and my first.

I don't know if the camel was a "Moses Limousine" or what, but we went for a 1 minute ride. Good times.

* Most ISM volunteers use pseudonyms, this is the name my wife chose.

Mount of Olives

Maria* and I spent the day checking out the Mount of Olives, and paying another visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Mount of Olives is a special place. According to the Gospels, Jesus went there to pray and he taught his disciples parables (stories) about being patient and waiting for his second coming. It was also on the Mount of Olives that Christ was betrayed by Judas, and arrested and later crucified.
There are several churches there that are in commemoration of his ministry and the important things that happened on this piece of land. It is awesome to see Christians of all denominations- Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant- coming together in faith and realizing what important things happened here.

The Mount of Olives is also the site of the biggest Jewish graveyard in the world. On a large plot of land that consists of some 70,000 graves; there are buried some famous rabbis along with other faithful. The cemetery had been in use since the First Temple Period, a testament to the long and rich history of this beautiful land.

Maria* and I enjoyed seeing the churches and cemetery, but there was a third reason we were curious to check the place out. About one year ago minus a week or so, we went up to the top of the Mount of Olives, and got pickpocketed by a dude who was selling maps, then ripped off by a restaurant owner who overcharged us for falafel and then his "brother" who drove us to the bank and demanded even more money for the "taxi fare".
Nothing of the sort happened this time, though we were approached by a guy who was trying to give us a large map while simultaneously trying to get his hands on my pack. We told him to shove off and he walked away. Different guy, but exactly the same tactic used a year ago. Basically, push a large map in someone's face with one hand so they don't see what you are doing, and try to use your other hand to snatch something of value. This happened in exactly the same place as last year, beside a church, in the exact same neighbourhood.
I am sure there are many decent people who live in that part of Jerusalem, and the area is poor. I wouldn't judge everyone living there based on what a small criminal element is doing to the tourists who wander by.

Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was betrayed.

Jewish graveyard. There are some 70,000 people buried here.

Maria* and I, with the city of Jerusalem and the cemetery in the background.

Cat chilling on the Mount. There are a lot of stray cats walking around Jerusalem, as well as Hebron,

In spite of how scruffy these felines look, it's tempting to pick one up and play with it. However, avoiding getting rabies is even a better idea.

The Falafel restaurant is the same place Maria and I were ripped off last year. I don't know who the owner is now, perhaps it's someone else who is a decent person. We didn't bother going inside to have a look.

Yes, the Mormons also have religious property on the Mount of Olives.

What you will see if you walk down through the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden.

* Most ISM volunteers use pseudonyms, this is the name my wife chose.

Some pictures from Jerusalem Old City

This city is considered to be a holy place by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike. It has a very rich, even if at times bloody, history.

It also has very beautiful people, created in the image and likeness of God, who call it their home.

People entering the Old City of Jerusalem through the Damascus Gate

The author of the blog standing in front of the Al Aqsa Mosque

The author's wife, wearing an improvised head covering, standing in front of the mosque

Palestinian Muslims studying the Quran in the courtyard of the compound.

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Jewish Israeli worshipers studying the Torah near the Wailing Wall

Church of Mary Magdalene, near the Mount of Olives

Some pictures from the Galilee and Nazareth

My wife and I spent the past two days visiting some "touristy places" that everyone who spends time in Palestine and Israel should in my opinion check out. Both Palestinians and Israelis have a lot to be proud of in terms of the history of this beautiful place.

Muslims, Christians and Jews have a very long rich history here. May one day they live in equality and justice.


Here are some pictures.

My wife and I by the Jordan River, Galilee. We spent the day on a guided tour, seeing several churches that are in memory of Peter, one of Jesus' disciples.

Church of the Annunciation of Mary, in Nazareth. It is believed that in the place this church was built, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. 

She agreed to do what was asked of her by God.

Mary is held in very high regard by not only Christians, but Muslims also.

The engraving on the door shows the stations of the cross, which depict the suffering of Jesus before and during his crucifixion. However, the story does not end there. His death and suffering is followed by his resurrection.

Pictures of Mary, made from different countries(1).

Pictures of Mary, made from different countries (2).

House of Peter. This church was built on the house Peter allegedly lived in. While I don't know how accurate the exact places are, the point is to remember a man who followed Christ and despite his own tribulations and failings, made a very real effort to be loyal and faithful to God.

If despite his weaknesses (like denying Jesus three times), Peter was forgiven and allowed to do great things for the early church, we can take some consolation that God is willing to forgive and use even people like me and you,

4th century synagogue (1)

4th century synagogue (2)

When entering the House of Peter, it is strongly advised to come without your dog, your smoke, or your kalashnikov. In addition to this, make sure you cover up. 

This tasty looking fellow is "St Peters Fish", a fried delicacy that we ate along with various salads, hummus, pita bread and potatoes on our second last stop of the Galilee/Nazareth tour.