We climbed into a larger bus (because our Jordan tour group wanted to set us up so they could take us directly to the Israeli boarder instead of us having to take the shuttle.) They were successful but it was more than an hour wait at the border before we could cross the bridge. Once over the bridge, we piled out, got our luggage and got in line. There was a guy that took all our passports and came back with a white sticker on the back of our passports, and a sticker for our luggage. We then went to the first gate and they check our passports and gave us a pink sticker to go with the white one. Next was passport control. The first person in line, hand in hand with another person on the tour answered all the questions and then they stamped our passports and we were off. After much debate about whether to get the stamp or not, it didn't seem to matter because even those who didn't want the stamp got one! We then waited in a holding area until our luggage had cleared but they don't tell you... you just have to keep going up and having them scan the white sticker until they said okay.
We then piled into the new van and were off... but not for very long because our van started to slow down and then the driver turned off the A/C and then he really slowed down. We almost had to stop on the highway but he did manage to get to a service station where we all got overpriced ice cream! But within 10 minutes there was a new van and we were in Jerusalem before we knew it.
We freshened up a bit and we went out to wander. First stop was lunch where I had falafel. It was really good (but I was also STARVING!) The chicken shwarma also looked very good but I didn't partake. From there some of us went one way and others another. Sue and I went with the the people that ended up wandering in the Suk. We got some great photos and some how managed to get back to where we stared. I got an awesome video (but I'm way too tired to wait for it to upload! Maybe tomorrow.)
We stopped for a beer, I had a great Israeli beer and we watched the people go by in the Muslim quarter. Three of the people sitting with us spoke with fellow cafe patrons who gave us some great recommendations (negotiate for price and start 60% lower) and they also recommended going up the an area of roofs because we missed getting to go up on the outer walls by about an hour. We did find the rood and it was so beautiful up there... although LOTS of satellite dishes and cats. A concrete playground for kids as well. There was a large clowder of cats between me and the stairs... everyone took their photos and then I ran by... and I'm so grateful I did because we came across the most amazing view of the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock. It was just in time for sunset prayers and there were many people at the Wall. It was both noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. It was beautiful. Very much looking forward to seeing it up close tomorrow.
We then headed back to the hotel. Stopping at a shoe store. Sue got some fabulous brown shoes. I, on the other hand, am still on the hunt for the perfect pair.
Back at the hotel we all hung out and had some Palestinian beer. Sue and I were hungry so we had a homemade pizza at the hotel restaurant. It had tomato sauce, mozzarella, goose breast, artichokes, rocket, parmesan cheese and then balsamic vinegar. So tasty! To bed early tonight... it is going to be both an early morning and a very long day!
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