Jerusalem, Israel (2 days ago - 8/23/09)
I have been putting off writing about Jerusalem because it is so difficult to put the experience into words. Jerusalem was unlike any city I have ever been to. The history and spirituality that oozes from every cobblestone is simply overwhelming. The Old City, enclosed by centuries (millenia?) - old walls, is a playground for all the senses. It is split into 
three parts - Christian, Muslim and Jewish Quarters. (Should be Thirds...right?) I wandered around the labyrinth of narrow passages where people both lived and worked. It's like one big bazaar...you could buy absolutely anything at one of the little shops. You'd turn down one corridor and shops with spices take over your olfactory sense, and then
take another turn and rows of raw meat carcasses hung from the roofs. There are a lot of tourists, to be sure, but there is also no shortage of "regular" people negotiating (loudly) things like the price of the figs to bring back to their kids. It's incredible to think that some of these stores have been in people's families for hundreds of years.
three parts - Christian, Muslim and Jewish Quarters. (Should be Thirds...right?) I wandered around the labyrinth of narrow passages where people both lived and worked. It's like one big bazaar...you could buy absolutely anything at one of the little shops. You'd turn down one corridor and shops with spices take over your olfactory sense, and then
take another turn and rows of raw meat carcasses hung from the roofs. There are a lot of tourists, to be sure, but there is also no shortage of "regular" people negotiating (loudly) things like the price of the figs to bring back to their kids. It's incredible to think that some of these stores have been in people's families for hundreds of years. 
I think that Jerusalem deserves several entries, so I will add more tonight.
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