David Lee Roth lights the Manorah...

Ah yes...Jerusalem. I finally made it to one of the holiest cities in the world. Essentially the city is divided into 3 parts: the old city, the new city and east Jerusalem. I decided to stay in the old city. It consists of several parts: the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter, the Christian quarter and the Armenian quarter. Religion's just in your face everywhere you turn. I got hassled to buy everything from kippas to monorahs to hookahs at 'Best price! 1 Shekel!'. It was quite annoying. It's a city thats not only guarded physically but also figuratively. Since it's so touristy out here, the essence of Jerusalem is definitely well beneath the commercialized surface. So many tour groups...

But overall, my time was great. I met a South African girl, Andrea, in my dorm who took me to the nicest couples house for dinner...for free too! It was great to have a home cooked meal and meet some down to earth locals. I saw a couple of the sights: Jaffa Gate, Yehuda Market, New Gate and a few more historical sights. And of course...devoured the hummus!

The entire city is built out of this stone. Its the same as was used 1200 years ago.

The city lights up like gold at sunset...so pretty!

The old city walls. Built like a tank!

City view. It's so old!

I'm not going to lie, I felt a little out of place here. After a little pondering, I realized it's because Hinduism is the only major religion left out of this city! (Buddhism really doesn't count...it came from Hinduism.) This is one city Indians have not taken over. Ah well, you can't win them all.

Anyway, I nixed Bethlehem from my itinerary and am now going to Eilat! A beautiful beach town in the south of Israel, perfect for my trip to Cairo. Fun in the sun here I come...

General Thoughts/Reactions:

-Israelis are super nice. When I arrived in Jerusalem, a random girl helped me navigate through the bus station and found the right bus for me to take to the inner city. So nice.

-I feel inept without my laptop, internet and constant telephone access. My lonely planet is my life.

-I tried sabi for the first time, loved it! It's an Iraeli sandwich in a pita with eggplant, amba sauce, cucumbers, tofu, salad and chili. Delicious.

-I'm a little nervous for Cairo, apparently Egyptians have a very premiscuous perception of western girls. But I've wanted to see the pyramids since I was 5 years old. This will not stop me.

-I finished The Fountainhead. Wow. I think I love Ayn Rand a little bit more. I prefer Atlas Shrugged but I know The Fountainhead is written better.

Things I miss:

-Mexican food

-knowing where everything is

-my dogs

Things I'm looking forward to:

-BKK! Pad Thai lady here I come...

-The Pyramids. It'll be nice to see where I was in a previous life...after all, I was Cleopatra.