Today I set out to explore the old city of Jerusalem. I walked about a block from my home and took a bus directly to the old city. It is very easy to get to from here. You can buy a 10 pass bus ticket so the fair is only about $1.50 each way. The buses run about every 15 minutes. When I got off the bus I walked several blocks to the walled city and went to the western wall- a very holy place for Jews. I sat there for about an hour taking in the sights and sounds. It was very nice and the weather was beautiful. In keeping with tradition, I gave money to the first begger I saw.
From there I went to the Arab market and walked around. Again, in keeping with tradition, I haggled on the prices for 3 nativity scenes. I had a nice lunch in a cafe at the wall and sat around leisurely eating and absorbing my surroundings. It was wonderful having no responsibility except to myself and to be able to move about on my own timetable in the heart of Jerusalem. I then left the walled portion of the city and found a post office to mail the nativity scenes. I began my search for the perfect wedding gift for Donna and Adam. I will continue searching in the days to come.
I finally feel like I am living in Israel- I exchanged my dollars for shekels and I am getting a feel for converting the money ($100 US= 360 shekels). I am working on my Hebrew and have picked up a few words but have a long way to go. The hospital offers free Hebrew lessons once per week and I took my first lesson yesterday. Some people have a flair for language----and then there is me. I will give myself a month with the lessons and Rosetta Stone and if I am still not getting it, I will probably hire a tutor to bang it into my brain. Supposedly it is an easy language to learn but I am skeptical.
Tomorrow is my first day shift on the job so I am curious as to how it will be. I know the children must get up and go to school.
I hope all is well at home. I had long chats with both of my sons today which was wonderful! They are doing well and I will try to post pictures from the wedding tonight. I can't believe it's only been a week since the wedding- what a crazy busy week I've had!
Love to all,
Sue
It sounds like you're settling in quickly. I think your time there is going to fly by. I'm enjoying hearing about your daily adventures.Thanks for keeping us posted. I'm going to be on the look out for Dora also!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mary Ann
Sue, this is so interesting! I have a feeling that we will all learn a lot from you - and about you - during the next 8 months. Keep up the blogs!
ReplyDeleteSue, I am happy to hear from you. It took one week to join in the blog. I was reading all your adventure. As you know, Israel is one of the place in my list to visit. Thanks you for buying the Nativity. Time is going to fly soon. So enjoy every moment.
ReplyDeleteSue,
ReplyDeleteI am loving being able to wander the streets of Jerusalem with you and can even picture standing at the wall with you....
Love the posted pictures of the wedding and you looked marvelous....
Keep blogging and sharing your journey...
Sandi
Hi Sue: Thanks for sharing your journey. I am really enjoying reliving wandering the streets with you. It has been 11 years since I was in Israel and I can picture where you are as you describe it.
ReplyDeleteThe wedding pictures are great. You looked absolutely beautiful and radiant. Keep writing. I will look forward to more.
Patty