Today was our quiet day, and our last day in Jerusalem. We slept in and woke just after 9:00, after the last few days we felt like we should “have a holiday”. We were lying in bed contemplating what we were going
to do for the day when Suzanne called to follow up on the previous day and to have a general chat. We were very blessed to have come into contact with her (and we’re not saying this just because we know she’s reading the blog!) After laundry & dressing, we went off to the New City on a few missions – to find breakfast, buy more airtime and change traveller’s cheques. En route, we passed a number of artists painting in the streets in the area (Musrara) where we’re staying. This is so typical of many parts of Israel and Jerusalem.
First stop … FOOD. After looking at a few places we went into “Sambooki” – like many places in Israel it is partly self-service and freshly made. We chose sandwiches of tuna, boiled egg (Jen) and roasted vegetable with salad (Rob). These are popped in an oven to crisp the bread roll and a choice of fresh salad goes on the plate. Rob had to pig out and have a cinnamon pastry as well. This you take to a table and sit and eat.
While sitting there a parade went past. They had assembled up the street at Zion Square and then marched (the band) and walked (the people) down Jaffa Street to the Municipal square. We spotted Benjamin Netanyahu walking with former soldiers with chests full of medals. They were mainly Russian but there were some walking with the UK and USA flags. This appeared to be part of the 60th anniversary celebration, and to honour those who have helped Israel to be what she is today. Of course Jen got emotional watching these aged gentlemen walking with such pride (and accompanied by their families) and whilst wiping her eyes, a camera was shoved in her face through the window of the restaurant. Hopefully they were just filming for the “reflection” of the parade in the restaurant window ….
After this we asked at a few places where we could buy airtime, this we found finally at a kiosk, very simple once we knew what to ask for. “Pelephone phone card…” Their cell system is not as simple as asking for recharge vouchers for Vodacom, MTN and Cell C.
Walking back down towards the Old City we stopped at American Express to cash our Travellers Cheques, and here we chatted to a wonderful elderly man, Chaim, who asked us “so why don’t you come live here ?….” After telling him that it was complicated because we weren’t Jewish, he gave us his card and said he’d be our ambassador if we wanted to move here.
In the Old City we stopped in to chat to Haroud who relieved Jen of some more dollars for a lovely gold chain; this not before she traded insults with the poor man. After this we walked to Shorashim, a little shop that sells biblical based items, and a whole lot more. It is run by two brothers, Dov and Moshe, and had been introduced to us by Suzanne. They are Orthodox Jews who want to assist in opening a dialogue between Jews and Christians. Whilst we were there a Christian group arrived for a discussion and we asked if we could sit in. Moshe, who has written a few books, explained that the biggest problem was that Jews and Christians often speak a different language – not so much English, German or Hebrew but words that have very different meanings. Two of the group, which was mainly American, were quite vocal but Moshe quietly explained the context and Hebrew meaning of the verses thrown out many times and he drew out the common ground and emphasized that the purpose was to please God.
After the group left we chatted a bit more and bought a few books, Rob hopes to chat to them more on our return to Jerusalem. They are two wonderful people whose desire is to see God be glorified and who are doing something to bring about unity, and to make God’s house a place of prayer for all nations.
A slow walk back to the studio we started to pack up ready for our departure for the Dead Sea and Massada.
We decided to take a walk to the Ben Yehuda area and have some supper; it was strange to see people strolling around after 8:00pm at night, shops trading musicians playing. We had supper again at Café Dolce Latte, the food was great. Walking back we stopped for desert, Jen wanted a crepe, they were being made right on the street, a selection chocolate, nuts and toffee could be used for fillings, Jen choose white and dark chocolate…
Well she finished it … Just!
Tomorow The Dead Sea and Masda Day 16