Tuesday-Tour of the Old City

This morning, our guide Nir, took us for a tour of the Old City.  Having been here previously several times, I was anxious to get in and return to the places that I had visited, but tried to be patient knowing that there would be plenty of opportunity to return.  We entered through the Jaffa Gate, through the Armenian Quarter, continuing on to the Jewish Quarter.  Each of the Quarters, had its own unique characteristics as style identifying the particular culture.  We entered the Arab Shuk (market), stopping at the "best" Halavah (a sweet) stand where many of us stocked up on varieties of Halavah.  I found a shop near this where I could stock up on the scarves that I like from a man who said he was having sales because he was closing his shop and moving to Texas.  The scarves at $3.00 a piece were a great deal so I purchased several saying that I would return with my friends to purchase more.  (I later had a memory that I had met this merchant during my last visit and he said the same thing.  But the scarves are still a good price.)

From here we proceeded to Lina's restaurant, also in the Arab Quarter, which claims to have the best Humus in Israel (and it certainly does!).  After we enjoyed our lunch, we continued to the Western Wall for all to have the opportunity to visit.  From here we entered a location which took us to a newly excavated continuation of the Western Wall underground.  (I had been here before as well, but am still amazed at the length of the Wall and the layers of history found here.)  In this Western Wall tunnel, there are areas for prayers for women (the men have a "library" and study area off to the left of their area of the wall).  Leaving this area, brought us our to the Lion's Gate, where we found our bus and returned to the hotel.

We had a brief opportunity to catch up before proceeding to our study session.  These sessions have been very meaningful and educational.  I have been pretty quiet during many of these as there are others who are more comfortable speaking up with comments or questions.  During these sessions, we study passages that are relevant to the places that we have or will be visiting.

After our study session, we found that several of our group wanted to have dinner with us.  It came as somewhat of a surprise and we were unable to accommodate all.  We went with a small group (now with some new friends) back to Ben Yehuda Street.  Again, meandering through the street and shops and finally to the Rimon Cafe where we had dinner. At the Cafe on this evening, all the women received a rose in honor of Rosh Hodesh, the celebration of the new month.   Following dinner,we walked with a new person to the Western Wall.  I particularly love being there in the evening which has a different feeling that during the day.  This was a busier evening as many women (and men) came out to honor and celebrate the new month.

Following our visit, again we took a taxi, returning to the hotel.