The Old City

Jerusalem is so unique. The entire place feels at once ancient and historical, and yet completely alive. These people live on a site that has been inhabited by various groups for most of recorded human history. The stones they walk on on a daily basis have seen centuries of wear, and some of the most important events in human history have taken place on these grounds.
Class is getting even more difficult, but the ten hour days are starting to pay off. We can communicate concepts such as My Son and My Daughter live in Lebanon and have a House with a Big Door, or Every Dog Has His Day. Great stuff.
After our first exam we all went to the old city with my friend Turner. The others hadn't seen any of the old city at all, so we went to the Wailing Wall and the Souk, an extensive Arab and Jewish bazaar that extends forever in corridors under the old city. Entering the Zion Gate, there is the first little metal box with scripture in it (I can't remember or transliterate the hebrew) that was ever placed on Jerusalem. Walking through the sense of the history is really too much to absorb. The entire old city is composed of labrynth smoothly worn stone streets, and is full of small shops and ancient monuments through which a steady stream of tourists, soldiers, and the inhabitants wander. People actually still live in the Old City, which is divided in the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim quarters.
We went to the Souk first and I got the try my hand at bartering for the first time. I thought I was doing good until I pissed off an Arab shopkeeper with too low of a counteroffer and he actualy got antagonistic. I think he just doesn't like americans in general, and the blond hair might not help. The souk was incredible, wares and spices everywhere in a tightly packed maze of humanity. No prices, all bartering. Its a little disconcerting to have someone approach you and tell that he needs to feed his family, and that he likes you already, and so you can buy his little medallion in the shape of a hand (good luck for the hebrews) for the amazing price of only 80 scheckel. Only 80! (+/-20 $)... Or worse when they say things like I can't believe you couldn't want anything in my store. But apparently being able to walk away is a respected trait and I got some good deals. I think.
After that we went to the wailing wall. Its hard to really describe what its like - it an old delapilated wall and yet the sacredness of it is almost palpable. Military guards it all over, there are security checkpoints on all sides. Security is so ever present that you stop noticing it here. Also, modesty as a sign of respect is mandatory. Men must wear a head covering, especially to enter the synagogue in the tunnel, and women must cover thier legs. Taylor got a cool skirt thing on loan- an Israeli soldier (girl) walked up and offered her one. I don't think she really thought about refusing. Around here everyone carries semi-automatics.

Photo descriptions -
Tuggle, Turner, Randy, Taylor, and Myself at the Wailing Wall ( also known as the Katal)

A random backyard that just happens to be a stones throw from the Dome of the Rock and overlooks the Katal

The Cardo - last remenants of the Roman road

A view down centuries of Jewish history to the original foundation of Jerusalem

Stone Labrynth

Zion Gate