Posts from — January 2009
The Old City of Jerusalem: Spotlight on the Muslim Quarter
Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike all stake a claim in this beautiful, walled city as one of their religion’s holiest sites. Is the
There are four “quarters” of the
Everyone is very friendly and hospitable. Don’t be shocked if a shop owner invites you in for a look at his merchandise and a cup of the famous Turkish coffee, on the house. They speak your language, and will try to get the highest price no matter what language you speak (besides, perhaps, Arabic), so don’t be shy to speak your native tongue, and also be aware that they may understand any side comments you make. Drive a hard bargain, even start to walk away if the price isn’t reasonable enough. Their ‘cost’ of merchandise is usually half of what they tell you, so don’t feel bad at all if they give it to you at that price. The first price they tell you is always (no matter what they say) double as much as they are hoping to get. Near the entrance to the Western Wall is a shop owner named Ramadan, he or his son will usually give you some of the best prices. Oh, and ladies, please be sure you are modest in both dress and action – Middle Eastern men are *very* flirtatious.
If you get hungry, there are plenty of places to stop in for a bite. Try Jafar Sweets for traditional Arabic desserts (especially Kadifah, made from sweet cheese and crispy orange noodles on top), Abu Shukri for some of the best hummus out there (be aware, they essentially only offer this, along with various toppings), or a great, unnamed falafel stand at the bottom of the stairs inside Damascus Gate for the most amazing, always fresh, and very cheap, falafel in pita you will ever taste. There are plenty of scattered hookah bars, but most are male-only.
While walking along the way, you will see soldiers and police stationed, usually in pairs. They are there for your protection, and many incidents have proven the need for them. The Border Guard soldiers (wearing the green uniforms) typically do not speak much English, but they can be useful for very basic directions and the time. Once again, I must strongly remind the ladies that Middle Eastern men love to flirt. This particular unit of soldiers is infamous for being womanizers, so do be aware of this. For everyone – please avoid walking unnecessarily through the Muslim Quarter at night. It is dangerous, as theft, assault, rape, and stabbings are unfortunately not uncommon.
The Muslim Quarter is best to visit on Saturday. Friday is a day of prayer in Islam, so it is extremely crowded (imagine trying to walk through people packed together like sardines), and about half the shops are closed. Saturday is the Jewish day of rest, so the majority of
Basic Arabic Phrases/Words
Aywah – Yes (pronounced in most common situations as “ah”)
La – No
Ahdesh Hadah? – How much is this?
Bidi Hadah - I want this
Kif Halak? – How are you?
Ilhamdullilah – Good, Thank God
Insha-allah – Hopefully/God Willing
Numbers - Wahad (1), Tinin (2), Talatah (3), Arba’a (4), Hamsah (5), Sitteh (6), Saba (7), Tamaniye (8), Tisa (9), Asharah (10), Ashreen (20), Talateen (30), Arba’een (40), Hamseen (50), Sitteen (60), Saba’een (70), Tamaneen (80), Tiseen (90), Miya (100)
All images provided by the Author and can be viewed on her Flickr account.
Check out the other quarters of the Old City:
January 26, 2009 2 Comments
Israel: In Pictures
Israel is home to a variety of cultures and a surprisingly diverse collection of religious beliefs. The history of the country has many facets and due to its historical record, the political and religious landscape of the region is ever-shifting. Israel offers a wide variety of sites and scenes for potential travelers and here we’ll focus on a few:
Jerusalem
Jerusalem, as we know, is the capital of Israel and one of the world’s oldest cities. Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city, both in population and area, and is in many ways the cradle of Judaism. The historical and religious value of the city are awe-inspiring. The land has been fought over, time and time again, exchanging political and cultural hands repeatedly. According to sources, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. To walk within its walls is to walk amongst history.
Bethlehem
Located about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus and David. David is also said to have been crowned King of Israel here. Bethlehem, much like other parts of Israel, has had several rulers. The city’s primary source of income is tourism, with the height of the season arriving along with Christmas. Pilgrimages to the Church of the Nativity and to Rachel’s Tomb, an important Jewish holy site located near the city’s entrance, are a couple of Bethlehem’s primary attractions.
Haifa
Haifa is one of Israel’s largest and most progressive cities. It has exciting nightlife, gorgeous beaches and significant historical value. Home to a mix of Jews and Arabs, Haifa also boasts the Bahá’í World Centre, a Bahá’í pilgrimage site located on the slopes of Mount Carmel. This port city was settled as early as the 14th century and has been conquered by multiple groups. These include the Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans, Egyptians, and the British. Following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the city has been governed by the Haifa Municipality.
Nazareth
According to the New Testament, Nazareth was the childhood home of Jesus. The city is located amongst a range of hills and nestled at their bases. Nazareth is another of Israel’s common Christian pilgrimage sites.
Masada
Masada, or “fortress,” is the name of an area located in southern Israel. It was once home to fortifications and palaces that overlooked the Dead Sea from the lofty vantage point of a huge plateau. A siege of the fortress by Roman soldiers during the First Jewish-Roman War led to Masada’s inhabitants committing mass-suicide in an effort to avoid capture and torture.
January 13, 2009 No Comments
