Category: travel

This morning left Tel Aviv and headed to Jerusalem. On the way, we stopped at Neot Kedumim (Oasis of Antiquity), a biblical landscape preserve, and each planted a tree so we’d leave a little of ourselves in Israel. We also saw a 1000+ year old cistern at that site. While we were hearing about wheat and barley and how it was processed in ancient times, a donkey wandered up. I ate a fruit off of a sycamore tree. It’s similar to a fig, but not as sweet. We also saw almond trees and caper bushes there.

As we got to Jerusalem, we passed by the Israeli Supreme Court and the Knesset, heavily fortified as you might imagine. Then through some Jewish neighborhoods on the way to a vantage point overlooking the old city. Then it was time for lunch. As you can see, the vegan isn’t suffering.

Next we passed through some Muslim neighborhoods with a lot of graffiti on our way to the Western Wall. I didn’t really have any profound experience at the Wall. As I touched it, I could feel that the stone had been smoothed by many, many thousands of people doing the very same thing. The connection with all of the other people who have touched it makes the Wall a living thing. Okay, I guess that was somewhat profound, just not emotional.

Next stop was the City of David where we explored Hezekiah’s Tunnel, built 2,700 years ago to protect Jerusalem’s water supply, the Gihon Spring, from the Assyrians. We actually climbed into the tunnel, anywhere from ankle to thigh deep with cold water, and followed it to where it originally ended in a pool. They have just recently discovered the original pool and are excavating it. We were able to see a part that has only been uncovered for about 3 months. Sadly, no pictures from inside because of all the water they had us leave everything on the bus.

On the way back to the hotel, we passed by Damascus Gate which, if the photo isn’t obvious, is controlled by the Muslims. Back at the hotel I ate and wrestled with the internets.

So, we’re here! The plane ride was long but mostly uneventful. There was a bit of turbulence the first 30-40 minutes, the shimmy, shimmy, shimmy kind, but it wasn’t bad enough to be scary. Not to me at least. I was on the aisle, which made it hard to sleep, but I managed to get some in. I had an interesting experience upon landing and I’ll post that in video form in a bit.

This was basically a free night, so after we met up with the Boston folks, we headed to the hotel. The bus seats seemed absolutely palatial compared to being on on the plane. If that’s the kind of bus we’re having for the trip, it’ll be a nice ride.

Our hotel turned out to be right on the beach. I even have a few from my room. The rooms are fine. Not luxurious, but probably nicer than I would have bothered with. No free wi-fi though. At least you can buy time at about $5/hour.

After getting cleaned up, Gwen, Mitch, Patrick and I headed out for food. We found a place by the hotel right on the beach. We all shared a tasty hummus. This one was a little heavier on tahini than we usually get in the U.S. It also had plenty of garlic and lemon. I think I detected a bit of sumac as well. It came in a huge bowl and we completely demolished it. I had the Arabic salad as well. Finely chopped lettuce, tomato, cucumber, parsley and basil with lemon juice and olive oil. Refreshing after the airplane food. I also had a Weihenstephan beer. It was somewhere between a pilsner and a wheat beer. Very nice and quite potent.

After eating, we headed down to the beach to dip our toes in the water. Gwen and I both exclaimed how warm it was and either Patrick or Mitch complained that it was cold. Compared to the Pacific off of Northern California, it was like bathwater.

Tomorrow we head to Jerusalem. Here’s to hoping the internets are free there. Uploading is pretty slow on this connection, so I hope my video makes it up before I run out of time.