Walking Jerusalem

[fauxklore]

I started the day by walking down to the Old City for the free walking tour that leaves from Jaffa Gate. My theory is that free walking tours are usually good because the guide wants to get good tips. The tour was two hours, which means it was a little superficial, but it was a good introduction to all 4 quarters of the Old City. And it did answer the burning question of why the Armenians get a quarter of their own. (In short, they've been there a long time.)

In one sense I was disappointed, because the Old City is not especially different from various other ancient places I've been. I have to remind myself of its specific religious connotations. It's also hard to notice every detail because you have to pay attention to your footing, with all the steps and slippery stones in the drizzle.

After the tour I wandered some more. Actually, I wandered more than I'd planned to, due to my unfailing sense of direction. (Unfailingly wrong, that is.) When I finally escaped the Old City, I took the light rail up to Mount Herzl. Fortunately, the signs for Yad Vashem are good. I've done a certain amount of Holocaust tourism in the past (notably in Poland) but I still couldn't have brought along enough tissues.

Comments

[cellio]

The Armenian quarter is the one I've seen the least of. I should have sought out a tour; I managed to totally miss the existence of the ones you're talking about.

I too found the footing challenging -- in the winter, when that didn't surprise me because hey, wet stone, but also in the summer, when it did. I also whacked my shins on those little "sidewalk posts" more than once before getting that clue. :-(

[fauxklore]

Well you can't actually see much of the Armenian quarter. It is walls within walls, but there is one church that is open to the public.

The tour was helpful orientation and I did learn a fair amount.