Exploring Jerusalem

Jerusalem is another minibus ride away and we tell the driver to drop us off near Damascus Gate. This is where our hostel is located. We emerge from the minibus in the hustle and bustle of Friday afternoon Jerusalem. We find our hostel outside the ancient walls of Jerusalem and quickly drop off our bags to explore the inside of this relic.



Walking around the narrow streets filled with tourist shops, small markets, and more tourist shop it is difficult to believe that I am actually standing inside the walls of The Jerusalem. The streets wind in every direction and through a series of turns it’s easy to get lost. Next thing I know I am walking through an underground entrance to see the Wailing Wall. I queue through a metal detector and our bags are x-rayed before we are allowed to pass. Soldiers all armed with multiple firearms are standing around the entrance and along the walkway towards this sacred site.





The Wailing Wall is divided in halves, or more like 1/3 and 2/3. The smaller section is designated for women and the larger half is for men. Men must cover the top of their heads before going approaching the wall. A platform overlooks both areas where tourists line up to overlook the masses of praying people and to take pictures. There are prayers written on little pieces of paper that are stuffed into the cracks of the Wailing Wall. Walking up to the stones there are hundreds of these little pieces of paper stuffed there.