 Ethiopean monks and me. Photo by David Ben Zur by tzuki | The Old City Jerusalem tips and photos posted by real travelers and Jerusalem locals. • 38 Photos
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 by gilabrand
I can still see them in my mind’s eye: dozens of black birds, their wings spread, circling the Western Wall as the sun rose over the Old City on that morning in May.
One of my brothers was celebrating his bar-mitzvah that day (when a Jewish boy turns 13, he is ushered in as a member of the community by performing certain rites, one of them wearing tefillin – phylacteries - and being counted as an adult in a prayer quorum.)
The whole family went with him to the wall to pray that morning. It was very early. The air was cool, and the plaza in front of the wall, usually crowded with visitors, was almost deserted. We could come right up to the wall and touch the ancient stones. They were smooth and worn. Stuck in every crack and crevice as far up as people can reach were little bits of paper (it is customary to stick a “kvitl” in the wall inscribed with a prayer or wish). Higher up, various species of plants, among them thorny caper bushes with delicate purple and white flowers, jutted out between the stones.
But those birds – they kept hovering overhead. Around and around they went, silent and eerie.
They appear every day at the crack of dawn, an old woman told us. They are the souls of the dead. Leave a Comment
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 ceramics by Carmela71
Some tips are:
Never pay in a market the first price, once they tell you the price began to haggle, try first half price or even less, as much as you offer as much they will think you can pay. (well I did not follow this rule, even if I knew it in one of my shopping lol)
Play the game, if you go out of the shop and he follows you, you can still play it ;-)
Even if they are aggressive, do not let your self intimidate.
If you are just looking, do not make the seller loose his time, even if it is a game, some politeness is appreciate.
Window shopping here lol is not recommended ;-)
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 Spices by Carmela71
Of course you will be accosed by the shopkeepers, that will try to convince you to enter and see their stuff (specially when you are the only foreigner around, as it happened to us)
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For a different experience, try entering the city of Jerusalem through the Damascus Gate, which is the Arab Quarter.
There you will see fewer tourists and more real-life activity. We spent an evening wandering through the shops and enjoyed interacting with the people that were there for an evening out. Leave a Comment
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 by sandravdpLeave a Comment
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In the center of Via Dolorosa there is a hidden jewel: on number 37 the "Austrian Hospice of the Holy Family" is located, a building with about 6 stories and a wonderful, accessible roof-terrace, offering stunning views over the Old City and her buildings.
The"Austrian Hospice" was officially opened on 19 March 1863. With some major interruptions it serves as a hostel, hotel,restaurant and haven for pilgrims from all nations.
1987 the building was completely renovated. Pilgrimage activities resumed in January 1988,since then, guests from all over the world have been able to enjoy its hospitality.
Hotelrooms and dormitories - in the very center of Jerusalems Old City - are available at fair prices.
Another attraction is the "Genuine Vienna Coffehouse", serving many dishes, usually only available in Vienna. Leave a Comment
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 by FruitLover
It provided water for drinking and building the Holy Sepulcher church.
If you go down the steps to this cistern you'll find a musical surprise waiting for you. Sing your HYMN and enjoy your ECHO-SOUNDING.
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 by sandravdpLeave a Comment
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"The characteristic decorative elements of the Mamluk period are:
Mukarnas - graduated, three-dimensional stone stalactites in the half-dome above the entrance.
Ablak - striped masonry. Courses of the beautiful cream-colored local limestone are alternated with courses of differently colored stone, usually red, but also black and yellow.
Klebo - interlacing stones in different colors, carved in a variety of profiles and laid in intertwining, puzzle-like fashion".
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"The characteristic decorative elements of the Mamluk period are:
Mukarnas - graduated, three-dimensional stone stalactites in the half-dome above the entrance.
Ablak - striped masonry. Courses of the beautiful cream-colored local limestone are alternated with courses of differently colored stone, usually red, but also black and yellow.
Klebo - interlacing stones in different colors, carved in a variety of profiles and laid in intertwining, puzzle-like fashion".
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