UNREST IN THE CHURCH

The winter is coming, a lot of people are saying. I just wonder what kind of 'winter' do they mean? It's been scorching hot again and there is no sign of any impending cold on the way. 
Not a terrifically exciting day at the Western Wall. Not much evidence of the big black hats and long frock coats that are usually depicted here at what is also called the Wailing Wall. 

One of a few

Just around the corner is the Eastern Wall where the museum is. During the last 50 years archaeological  digs have revealed the extent of this complex. 

Streets that would have been used 2000 years ago can be seen , in much the same way as those famously rutted ones in Pompeii have been uncovered. 

An interesting insight into the Jewish practice of washing  before entering the temple. 
So, dirty feet down the left side and clean feet up on the right. Luckily no water in the pool as I took this picture. 

Its probably well known that almost all Israelis, men and women, have to do national service and since arriving I couldn't help noticing the many army uniforms on the streets. But more than that they nearly all carry a very business like gun hanging from a shoulder strap. Me, not knowing one gun from another decided to have a chat with these three standing in the souk. They didn't mind me taking a picture and then their commanding officer appeared and offered to take this shot for me, of me. You can see how young they are, except for the person of a certain age standing beside them. I was told they are carrying M15s.


The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the honey pot for just about every religion. It was by all accounts a quiet day there and I'd hate to be there on a busy one. 

The attraction is the Aedicule which is the shrine enclosing parts of the tomb, it is alleged. Some of the desperate crowds queuing behind barriers were resorting to anything to jump the queue. A well built orthodox cleric, trying to extract two beefy looking women from the line, had to enlist the help of a security guard to turf them out.
It'll take too long to describe some of  the wacky conversations I have overheard. The best one was concerning the so called 'second coming'. It seems its very immanent and they are counting the days. It's going to happen very soon according to their source, whatever that is. They talk as if its fact, how often has that been predicted? 

I suppose that's Jerusalem for you!!!!!!

QUESTIONS OF TIME

Coffee at 4am. Airports are all the same..

Arriving in the wee dark hours is not the best way to enter a new country. To wile away some time before the sky comes out, this free wifi is very welcome.
Checking in on an EL AL flight is like nothing I have experienced before. I was forewarned about this stringent process but it still came as a surprise. Normally we go straight to the check in, show passport and dump the luggage on the conveyor belt, never to be seen again. But in this case 6 small desks are placed in front of a line of check ins, and by each a passport inspector stood. Everyone has to have a 5 minute cosy chat with one of these officials: only then can we proceed to the check in proper.

Some of the questions.
Have you been to Israel before?
Have you been to any middle east countries or North Africa recently?
What's your job?
Have you got any contacts in Israel?
Why have you come to Israel? (the big one)

I believe they grade passengers according to risk level. Suppose potential threats get a further grilling when they have landed in Israel

I think he might have been a bit miffed because my almost brand new passport didn't have a single stamp, or visa to mull over.

Entering  the departure lounge seemed a little more thorough than usual too. Arriving here at Ben Gurion Airport it was much the same, before I could collect my luggage.

Have found the shared minibus rank which shuttle between here and Jerusalem, for 64 shekels almost to the door. I want to ride there in daylight to see what Israel looks like.

On the street where I live at 5.30 am. No souvenir shops open yet, but its a different story now. 

Deprived of sleep, since 6am yesterday, the effects hit me in the afternoon but not before I discovered one of the best views of ancient Jerusalem - from the roof of this hostel. Petra-Hostel/Jerusalem/

Through a maze of streets I can reach The Dome of the Rock, but not till tomorrow. This evening I'll try some night shots with the illuminated Dome. There must be thousands of images like this but there is nothing like capturing it with your own camera. There is a free buffet breakfast here and its eaten with this as the backdrop. I know I'm bloody impressed.

Good Night and Good Luck

ISRAEL SOON

Just set up this blog in readiness for a trip to Israel on October 9th. Hopefully, should be able to report every day, with some photos and comments. 

I've had this trip in the back of my mind for several years, so when I came across a direct return flight to Tel Aviv for a very reasonable price, it had to be the time to go. Seems like bus transport is also well within my budget so hopefully, based in Jerusalem, I should be able to see some other places in this unusual country that doesn't exist in the eyes of some of it's neighbouring states. 

I hope that nothing happens in the mean time to change a reasonably peaceful period that exists there at present. 

Flight El Al from Prague   246 Euro

Egged buses             http://www.egged.co.il/eng/

Hostel in Jerusalem.  http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels

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STREET VIEW of hostel location. With apps such as G/maps who needs to travel anymore?

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