A wrong turn!

This morning I set out to see Oscar Schindler's grave. I wanted to pay my respects to a brave man that saved hundreds of Jews during WWII. I did my homework before I left my house. I looked up the location of the cemetary and set off. The cemetary, according to my source, was located across from the Damascus Gate in the old city. Furthermore it was located near a bus parking lot there. So how hard could it be?

For those of you who do not understand the set up of Jerusalem, the old city is in the heart of Jerusalem. The old city area is surrounded by high walls so you must enter the area through gates that date back to the time of the crusaders. I usually enter through the Jaffa Gate. There is a beautiful shopping area prior to the gate and it is generally the area that the tourists use. So for the first time I went to the Damascus Gate. This is in the Arab quarters and I found myself clearly a minority on the streets. I felt perfectly safe though. It was broad daylight, a beautiful day in the mid 60's (sorry for those of you suffering in the cold) and the area was very busy and well travelled.

So first I walked along the street in front of the Damascus Gate in one direction looking for Schindler's grave and then turned around and walked far in the other direction and still did not find it. I asked several people along the way but nobody spoke English. Finally I passed a hotel and thought that they might be able to help. I went in and asked and was directed to a place about 2 blocks further. Great! I arrived at a sign for the tomb only to discover that they were now closed for a 2 hour lunch. Okay, at least I found it.

So, having time to kill, I went into the old city through the Damascus Gate. It was somehat different then I've seen before. This was not at all touristy. This area was filled with Arab merchants and shoppers. There were stands filled with fruit and vegetables, carcasses of animals hanging on hooks as well as clothing and household items. I had a falafel sandwich and wandered around.

At the appointed time I returned to the gate. Waiting outside were about 30 Nigerian citizens, all in their national clothing also waiting to get in. The doors opened and I followed the Nigerians in and asked the gatekeeper how to get to Schindler's grave. He said "Schindler's grave, I don't know where that is; you've arrived at Jesus's tomb". So that is how I, and 30 Nigerians, spent the next hour. I got to see where Jesus was crucified and I got to enter his tomb. I never did find Schindler's grave, that will be for another day I guess. It was all kind of funny in the end.

The pictures above are as follows: A UN van which I thought was interesting. The rest are from Jesus's tomb. The top 3 are the tomb (sorry it's sideways), the courtyard in front of the tomb and the guide discussing the tomb. The last picture is the area (skull mountain) where Jesus was crucified.

Lastly, my random observation. Young people actually get up and give their seats on the bus to older people. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you'd like to view it, nobody has relinquished their seat for me yet!