Day 1 in the Holy Land….Jerusalem

Our journey to the Holy Land began on Tuesday morning, April 9th….

….each of us (Rebecca, Cris and me) arriving separately at the Warsaw Chopin Airport. 

We were traveling on El Al…my first time to travel on this Israeli airline. I was the first from our group to arrive and was asked many questions about why, with whom, and how long….I would be visiting Israel.  It was surprising to see 12-15 guards with automatic weapons surrounding the El Al check-in area….I had not seen this in the Warsaw airport before.  I was told this was  normal procedure for traveling on El Al.

We flew for four hours and landed in Tel-Aviv, Israel. 

My two traveling friends for the next 5 days, Rebecca and Cris….walking through the Tel-Aviv International Airport on our way to baggage claim.

We had prearranged for a shuttle service to pick us up at the Tel-Aviv airport and take us to our hotel in Jerusalem. Our driver was a very kind and friendly man that conversed with us on the drive to Jerusalem. It was about a 45-60 minute ride to our destination.

One of the first sights in the Holy Land were the many terraced hillsides along the highway from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.

We stayed at the Addar Hotel….which we found online for a very good price for 3 travelers. The reviews were only "okay" but we took a chance that this hotel would work for us because the price and location were very good. There were 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a free breakfast each morning, and free internet service. Two positives about the hotel….the price and location! 

The hotel was in the Muslim Quarter, as we were told by our driver….

….and we could also tell by the decor.

After quickly settling into our rooms, we set out to see the neighborhood, walk to the Old City and complete a few errands before our organized tours over the next few days began.

We exchanged our money for Israeli shekels.

We found the tour company that had arranged our first all-day tour.  We were so glad to talk to the owner, pay and find all in order for us. We were grateful the little tour office was close by. 

After a 10-15 minute walk, we came to the walls of the Old City…Jerusalem. 

The Herod's Gate entrance was one of the eight large gates into the Old City.  It was one of the gates closest to our hotel….through which we would pass several times over the next few days. 

Upon entering through Herod's Gate we were in the Muslim Quarter.

We often stopped to take pictures….

….or just to gaze at the places and people we were seeing.

It was Tuesday late afternoon / early evening....so the markets were not as busy or crowded….lucky for us!  There were foods, spices, and wares of all kinds for us to see and purchase….

….local families buying candy for the children….

….meats for sale….

…. and fresh produce that we saw and tasted that was fabulous!

A little grocery store….

This spice pyramid was quite interesting….and what a mixture of smells !

We traveled around and inside the old city …..following our maps the best we could. We entered the various quarters:  Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian.

The Lion's Gate is another the entrance to the Muslim Quarter.

It was on this first day we learned that people actually live in the Old City.  I love the picture below!  These boys were talking and kicking a soccer ball around a tiny courtyard…they happily stopped for a picture from three touring ladies!

 Our first experience walking through the myriad of streets and seeing the variety of markets…. it was a bit overwhelming at first…colorful, busy, fun and enticing at the same time.

Cris and I both found traveling bags that would work well for us over the next few days.

It took us stopping at a few shops…but in the end we were happy with our first purchases!

While walking up and down the market streets, my attention was drawn to this red truck that was descending a steep stairway filled with many people trying to walk up or down.  I was amazed!  But this would be a common sight over the next few days.

Where's Rebecca in the crowd of people?  I think I see her below!

I love this picture!

We had wandered into the Christian Quarter, where the "Nun's Ascent" is located….

….it is a narrow and steep pathway.

As the markets were all closing we finally decided it was time to find a place to eat.  We exited through Jaffa Gate, located at the border of the Christian and Armenian Quarters.

The walls of the Old City were lit up beautifully.

After finding a place to eat we made our way to the hotel.

We were amazed by so many interesting, beautiful and unique sights in just our first few hours in Jerusalem!