Part II. Jerusalem: The Old City

After crossing the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem in an Israeli approved taxi (I had to leave my West Bank taxi just before the check point and get into an Israeli taxi before making the crossing), the landscape changed immediately: congested, arid, part abandoned and part bustling-energetic gave way to clean, organized, landscaped and daily-fertilized. I was appalled by the disparity in conditions; even the neatly painted, six-inch standard-sized and uncracked curbs seemed to quietly smirk at their own good fortune. Location, location, location.

Simultaneously, and antithetically, I began to notice that I enjoyed being in a neatly organized, well-funded city. Women jogged outside. Green grass grew from the ground. Public transportation systems worked efficiently. Street signs marked every street.

The taxi driver was friendly. A young native Israeli, he was eager to welcome me to Jerusalem. We chatted en route to the Old City and then he made an aggressive move to pass a car and make it through a light -- an act which ultimately resulted in an unexpected chance to walk through the city. As soon as we pulled through the light, sirens blared and we were pulled over.

Apparently, the driver had a few problems with his license and after this latest move, and a heated debate with the officer who pulled us over, he was arrested. I had a nice little stroll before finding another taxi - this time the driver was an older Christian man, with a running, grumpy commentary, who upon each sighting of an Israeli guard would roll down his window and pray in loud rasps while simultaneously kissing his cross. I started saying a little prayer of my own that his car would actually make it to the old city...though he changed gears in name and location, the car didn't actually seem to respond and stayed at about 20km/hr.

Finally, I made it to the Jafa Gate of the Old City. Thankfully I had a guide book with me which enabled me to find the three key sights (among literally hundreds) I wanted to see that day. Below, you'll find pictures of:

1.The Church of the Sepulchre (which houses the Cavalry where Jesus is said to have been crucified and the Stone of the Anointing where Jesus was prepared for burial).

2. The Wailing Wall

3. The Dome of the Rock

Please enjoy and let me know if you have questions. k