Day 15: From ‘The Promised Land’ to the ‘Land of the Chosen People’

   Place: Abraham Hostel, Room 314, Jerusalem

  Time: 17:37

Thought for the day: ‘Abraham was the first backpacker’  - Abraham Hostel (it was written on the wall)

Before I start, I have to express how much I (we both) are IN LOVE with this fantastic City, Jerusalem. It has been a day of such excitement just strolling the local streets and markets that we are completely smitten, so much so, that after our walk we returned to our hostel and booked for another night.

This is how our journey to Israel started:

Craig (being the incredibly intelligent and amazing man that he is) decided that we should take a chance by leaving Madaba first thing this morning to be at the Jordanian/Israeli Border when it opens and before all the masses flock to the border. So we arranged for Tawfeeq, a Jordanian driver to take us to the border at 07:30am this morning. This meant that we had to set our alarm and be up at about 06:30 in order to fit a quick breakie and coffee in before setting off to try and get across the King Hussein Bridge to Israel.

We were a little apprehensive about whether or not we would be allowed to cross the border as we have heard so many stories about the interrogation that we would be put through, but to our surprise, it went rather smoothly and we found that the Israeli officials were incredibly pleasant and let us in with a welcoming smile.

It’s amazing how God has made our passage into this area so simple and easy.

Craig and I got a shuttle taxi to Jerusalem where we would take a chance and find our way to a hostel that I had read about just outside the ‘Old City’. On our way, Craig befriended a young American guy from Utah by the name of Greg. Greg was only on our bus because he was sent back to Jerusalem as he was not allowed to enter Jordan because they don’t issue the Jordanian Visa at the Allenby border gate, little did he know that it was all part of God’s plan. He is living and studying for his Masters in Jerusalem. He walked us to a stop and gave us instructions to catch the Number 17 bus to Ha’naviim Street where we would find our Hostel. We got off at the beginning of Ha’naviim Street, as we weren’t sure if there would be another stop closer to our hostel. As we were walking we got to chat to a very friendly English-speaking (American accented) woman, she too is studying here in her retirement and she walked us to the front door of the Abraham Hostel.

This is a fun and exiting place to stay. We were taking a chance by showing up with no reservation, but another blessing our way and we got an amazing room with a great view.

Craig and I were equally keen to drop our bags off and explore, so we put our bags in the luggage room until we could check in and left scope out the local market and grab some grub.

Jerusalem has proven to be lot more expensive than we are used to, so finding some lunch was an adventure as we were both craving some healthy fresh produce not involving pita J. Eventually we ran into a small and more reasonably priced place where we shared a huge and delicious tuna salad, which Craig and I ‘inhaled’ effortlessly. We were now ready to go and adventure around the city aimlessly.

Jerusalem is a captivating and romantic place and very different to what I had imagined. It is modern, neat and charming. There are so many different types of people which adds a great thrill to spending as much time here as possible.

We found ourselves wondering around the streets and markets for hours, trying different foods, taking pictures and drinking coffee.

We bought some HALVA which is a sesame and coffee paste/cake thing which is so yummy but costs so much – about R70 a slice. So will have to make every morsel count.

We headed back to our hostel where Craig had a little ‘shut eye’ and I just couldn’t wait to write our blog and tell you just how much I love Jerusalem.

For dinner, we went to the 1^st floor to the dining area of the hostel, which has an awesome backpacker vibe. Garlic smells from the stove where a couple is cooking pasta and the acoustic sounds from a guy playing his guitar and his mate playing the blues on his harmonica and making up limericks- this is what we came up with:

There was a man from Jerusalem

No one really knew of him

He took his dog for a walk

And never ate pork

And now he’s at Shula with the rest of ‘em’

And

‘There was a man with a lopsided ear

He liked to drink Wine and Beer

He went on a trip

With a lovely girl attached at his hip

And God was with them, so never did they fear’

Craig and I are loving every minute of it!

Tomorrow we are going to Bethlehem and will be sure to let you know what treasures we find.

XXX