landa
Registered: March 2010
Posts: 1
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Names (left to right): Ainsley Land
Where photo taken: Jerusalem, Israel
Best meal: In Jerusalem, the best food is the street food. The Arabic sweets in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City- from chalvah, a sesame-based nougat, to falafel for 10 shekelim (about $2.75), the food sold in the narrow and winding streets of the walled Old City is both delicious and inexpensive. Also, it is absolutely mandatory to pick up a fresh loaf of challah, or Jewish braided egg bread, at one of the local bakeries on Erev Shabbat (Friday before sundown). They are inexpensive and heavenly.
Best deal: Most of the holy sights in Jerusalem are free, so it is amazing to be able to see the Kotel (Western or Wailing Wall), the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock) and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher all for free. Jerusalem is a truly interfaith experience: you can place a meaningful note in the ancient cracks of the retaining wall of the old Temple, hear the call of the muezzin wafting over the city at sunset, and then light a candle at the tomb of Christ. So, in a more general sense, the real "best deal" about Jerusalem is the fact that for no money at all, one can soak in an almost inconceivable amount of history, religion, and culture. The holy presence is definitely palpable in the city's air, and it is not necessary to spend money to experience the gravity and magnificence of a city that has seen so much joy and sorrow.
Best time to go: Seeing Jerusalem over Hannukah is incredible. In the evenings, the sense of festivity in the air was increased by the flickering glow of oil candles, separating light from the winter darkness. In place of snowflakes or Christmas trees on street lamps, Jerusalem boasts menorahs. Also, every bakery is stocked with delicious sufganiot, jelly doughnuts, filled with chocolate, custard, strawberry jelly, or any variety of delicious sweets. Even if you are not Jewish (I am not), I loved Jerusalem during Hannukah. Spontaneous singing and hannukiah lightings are frequent in Jerusalem restaurants at sundown, and the city seems magical.
Best travel tip: Pack layers, good walking shoes, and a backpack that is worn on the back (as opposed to a purse). Particularly in the winter, Jerusalem can be chilly in the shade of the Old City, but warms up in the daytime. Rain is also common in the winter. Good walking shoes are essential because driving in Jerusalem is an adventure of the less-pleasant type, and because the city is fairly compact, walking around gives more freedom and sightseeing opportunity. Additionally, the Old City is constructed almost entirely out of white Jerusalem stone, pathways included, and they are slick from age and use. Wearing a backpack, instead of carrying a purse, is much easier in the narrow and crowded streets of the Old City, particularly in the quarters that boast market places. In these cramped, colorful, and noisy streets, being as narrow as possible will help prevent getting clogged in a human traffic jam (and subsequently being heckled by the somewhat aggressive street vendors!)
Additionally, be respectful of the diversity of religious life in Jerusalem. It is important to dress modestly wherever you are, and to bring a scarf in case head-covering (for women) is appropriate. If there is a sign at the entrance of a neighborhood that asks visitors to act appropriately and to not disturb the residence (such as there is in Mea She'arim, an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood), it is very important to abide by these requests.
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