Old City Wanderings, Days 1 and 2

Ok time for more pictures. I talked earlier about the heavy police presence here.

These guys are pretty heavy. Some of the guys who carry the M16's are under regulations to never remove their finger from the trigger. They hold their guns in creative ways, but they always have their hand on the handle somehow.
Here's two army guys patrolling through the Arab marketplace.
I took a walk up to the top of the Mount of Olives, and there was a great view of the city. You can see the golden Dome of the Rock in the background.
This was at a church on the Mt. of Olives, built in the approximate spot where Christ would have wept over the city in Luke 19. Again, a great view.

This is the view from the City of David archaeological preserve. The valley below (i think) is the valley of Jehosephat. Lots of cool old looking buildings.
This is the western wall of the old city. I like the green grass against the medieval walls. Very pretty.
This is the golden menorah that will be placed in the third temple. Artistically cool and eschatologically creepy.
This is a camel. Artistically ugly.

All is well here. I met some palestinian guys who were cool enough to show us around the old city and take us back to their apartment for a drink. Me and my travel companions were wary, as one always hears travel horror stories that begin this way, but our fears were pointless. Their hospitality was out of a diplomatic and friendly spirit. We sat around and B.S.'d about Palestinian and American culture. Very fun. The only obligation they had for their hospitality was that if they came to the States, we'd show them around. I'd be more than happy to oblige.

Peace out.

First day in the old city

This place is pretty cool. Growing up in California, I can still say that the diversity in this city blows my mind. There are Muslims, Jews, and every type of Christian you could think of. Everyone seems to get along in the private sphere at least. The city is most definately a middle eastern city. My hostel is in the "Arab quarter", run by Palestinians. They've been really nice and helpful in helping me plan out my trip.

This is the view from my balcony. The Old City is only a few hundred yards away.
This is the Damascus gate; inside it is the Muslim quarter.
This is the marketplace. Most of the signs are in Arabic. It's a lot of fun to peruse.
Its cool to see this vibrant marketplace still going in a 3000 year old city. The architecture reflects its age and gives it a uniquely ancient feeling.
Like Cyprus, there are tons of cats everywhere. I ran across this one (and a few of its siblings) and I had to take a shot.

im in ur trash, reedin teh newz

Leaving for Israel

Leaving Larnaca has been bittersweet. Although I'm definately looking forward to getting home and seeing my wife (and motorcycle), Cyprus was a nice home while I was there. Lots of history and a beach within walking distance. What more could one ask for?

I arrived in Jerusalem last night and crashed in the New Palm hostel at about 2am. So far all I've seen is the Damascus gate and part of the walls. I'll post pics later. Shalom!

Hey everyone, just thought I'd show you a few pics of the town I'm in.

Down by the beach I frequent there's a medieval fortress. It's got elements from the Franks (French), venetians, and Ottoman Turks. Old women in bikinis are optional. I told her my name was Jeff Terry.
This is an Arabic inscription dating to the Ottoman days. It's cool and wierd to see Arabic inscriptions on a building built by Crusaders in a pious Greek-Orthodox town.
This was one of the better traffic jams I've seen, and that's coming from a guy born in L.A. There was honking and yelling, and mopeds zipping all over the place. Totally awesome.

This is what I do when I get a few spare minutes. I'm glad to hear, Noah, that you found your DS. We'll have to play something when I get back.

Farewell.

This last weekend

This weekend we took a field trip to the capitol of Cyprus, Nicosia. Among other things, the old town in Nicosia is surrounded by a land wall built by the Venetians when they took over the island in the late 1400's.

The old town is cool. It's what you'd imagine for an old-school mediterranean city. Except, as you travel down the shopping touristy section, you arrive at...
The Green Line.
Nicosia, like the sign says, is the last divided capital in the world. Ever since the invasion of the Turks in 1974, the top half of the island has been under their control. The situation is still a very hot political topic. The invasion was in reaction to radical Greek nationalist groups targeting innocent Turkish-Cypriot civillians, but it seems to have brought on even more strife. Today it seems like the Greek-Cypriots simply want a united Cyprus, but the Turkish-Cypriots simply want to be able to exist--and they're constantly reminded by the Turkish-run government of the dangers of "greek rule". Sticky situation.
The green zone is patrolled by the U.N. and there are troops all over the place along the line.
This is something I had to post. I haven't even seen this kind of awesome creativity in the states.

Until next time, peace out.