Ten Days in Jerusalem

At just under one square kilometer in size and predominately pedestrian in nature, the Old City of Jerusalem is perfect for both short strolls and endless wanderings. Whether you choose to focus on one of the four quarters (Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian) or mix things up by viewing a number of the major sites, be prepared to withstand at least a little jostling during the daylight hours. However, if you find yourself overwhelmed, it’s easy to find respite from the crowds of locals, pilgrims and tour groups by ducking into a small cafe or quiet limestone corridor.

Jerusalem from Above
Cobblestone Streets of Jerusalem
Armenian Catholic Monestary Jerusalem
Dome of the Rock
Doors at Dome of the Rock

Abu Shukri was our favorite Old City eatery and is located along the well-trodden Via Dolorosa in the Muslim Quarter. Well-touted by Lonely Planet guides, locals, and tourists alike as hawking the best hummus in the city, this casual street-side restaurant is perfect for a mid-day refueling. Order a serving of pita to stuff full of hummus, Arabic salad and falafel for a filling and mouth-watering lunch. Finish it all off with Abu Shukri’s addicting mint lemonade before heading back out into the melee.

Hummus at Abu Shukri
Pita Bread on the Streets of Jerusalem

Because much of the Old City shuts down in the evenings, you may want to find dinner elsewhere (West Jerusalem is an ideal neighborhood for this and is a short uphill walk from the Damascus Gate). Still, the allure of these ancient streets is best experienced after sunset. Quiet but not abandoned, patrolled by the Israeli Defense Force but not heavily militarized, we felt safe meandering the main thoroughfares once most locals had left and shops had been shut down. One of the highlights of our evening strolls was a trip to the Western Wall just prior to sunset on a Friday evening. We stood enraptured by the throngs of Jewish worshipers who had come down for Shabbat (Sabbath) to sing, dance, pray and worship en masse as the sun’s rays turned Jerusalem’s most famous limestone wall from bright gold to dusty rose.

Crowds at the Western Wall of Jerusalem

For nightlife, diversity in dining and a retreat from the more conservative mentality of the Old City, make your way to West Jerusalem. Loads of outdoor patios and cafes stay open from early morning until the late night hours and make this a fabulous spot for people watching. The architecture and attitudes of this sector of the city offer an almost European flare. Since our accommodations were in the Old City, this is where we would often come for leisurely breakfasts, long dinners, and shopping. Whether you’re looking for the perfect bagel or a piece of memorable jewelry, you won’t have to look far in West Jerusalem. This would also be a great neighborhood to stay in if you prefer not to be concerned with dressing conservatively or if the church bells and calls to prayer of the Old City cramp your sleeping patterns.

Stone Walls and Steps in Jerusalem
Stone Arch in Jerusalem
View from Ecce Homo Convent

For side trips and short stays outside of Jerusalem, we chose a day trip down the Dead Sea and several days in Bethlehem to round out our adventure. Friends of ours who had been in Jerusalem for a few months recommended renting a car to see the ancient site of Masada as well as the Dead Sea, as opposed to spending a long day tethered to a tour group. We were a bit intimidated by the prospect, but from the rental itself to navigating the roadways to passing through the checkpoints, we were surprised at how relaxed and seamless the entire experience was. After a rather sun-baked visit to the top of Masada, the ancient rock-hewn city fortified by Herod the Great, a float in the Dead Sea provided a strangely salty reprieve. Bathtub warm and bizarrely buoyant, lolling about in the Dead Sea just across the valley from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was a treat we were grateful not to skip out on. We also spent three eye-opening days in Bethlehem over Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday, and had the opportunity to both visit and dine with Palestinian Muslims and Christians, hearing their stories of what it is like to live life behind the wall of the West Bank. In our short stay in Israel and Bethlehem, we tried as much as possible to connect with locals of varying faiths and ethnic backgrounds. From Orthodox Jews in the conservative community of Mea Shearim to Palestinian Christians whose families have lived for generations in Bethlehem, to Muslims living in a Palestinian refugee settlement, we made every effort to listen to peoples’ stories in order to catch just a small glimpse of what life is like in a land brimming with overlapping cultures, passions and histories.

Kitten in Bethlehem
Woman Traveling in Israel
Crown of Thornes in Bethlehem
Love Wins Painting at the West Bank

No matter what one’s faith, ethnicity or political distinctions, Jerusalem and the surrounding areas have something to both dazzle and bewilder just about anyone. Tread with reverence and curiosity and one is bound to encounter so much more than what the media depicts as typical, because in this part of the world, there is no such thing!

Blue Doors in Bethlehem
Wall Art at the West Bank

Stay

Ecce Homo Convent
Via Dolorosa 41
91190 Jerusalem, Israel
+972.02.627.7292

The Jerusalem Hostel

44 Jaffa Rd. Zion Sq.
Jerusalem, Israel
+972.02.623.6102

Helpful Hints

  • For the best hummus in the city, try Abu Shukri restaurant (63 El-Wad Rd., Muslim Quarter) in Old City, Jerusalem.
  • Shopping for olive wood carvings and Roman glass jewelry was a highlight for us.
  • Visit the Mehuda Yahane Market on a Friday morning and the Western Wall at sunset on Friday afternoon for a taste of Sabbath preparations.
  • Wander through Jerusalem’s Old City and the ultra-conservative Jewish neighborhood of Mea Shearim for a cultural experience. Be sure dress modestly!
  • Short trips to the archeological site of Masada, the Dead Sea and Bethlehem are a must for both educational and spiritual experiences.

Jaime Fenwick is a Canadian wedding and lifestyle photographer living with her husband just outside of San Francisco. She is passionate about discovering adventure and beauty across the globe and around the corner. Fine art prints are available for purchase here. All proceeds go to help Jaime’s dear friend Galina, who was injured in a hit-and-run snowmobile accident while on her honeymoon in Montreal.

Destinations,
Vacation Type

Comments…


  1. Lisa Anderson Avatar

    Jaime these images are so beautiful…after our talks of visiting Israel you captured it so wonderfully…thank you for sharing these!

  2. Marcie Avatar
    Marcie

    Beautiful, would love to travel there…

  3. Roosevelt Butler Avatar
    Roosevelt Butler

    I have been there but I would love to go again. Is there any way that I can get in contact with any of the Old City’s busy bodies; you know those people who know all the local families? I am greatly considered about people I met while I was there many years ago and I would like to inquire about their welfare. Here is my email address just in case anyone should be kind enough to help me out: [email protected].

  4. […] foto de Fotografía Jaime Lauren vía Entouriste […]

Comments are currently closed.