Israel 2010 The Old City

While this an older blog, and I have attempted to take pictures previously, I am just now getting this posted. My camera died before, and with our schedule we did not always make it to this area, although I do visit it often. I like the people here, the attitude, and the relaxation of being non-tourist in nature.

This morning we ventured into a different area of town, the old city. This area was worn and old, but alive with local activity. It was not so much a tourist area, making it far more inviting to me. It as a time to explore, learn, shop a little, and haggle much.

People in these shops were more personable, and other locals came and went with their own input as well. It was a maze of so many different shops, store fronts, antiques, and small industrial shops of metal work, leather shops and cobblers, tailors, and cabinetry.


This is a gateway of an old Turkish section.


I love doorways, especially with character. This door opening is only about 5' tall.




A newer addition to the old city honoring the well, with a water wheel.

This area, just to the right had more visual of reconstruction. This area was hidden and has not been addressed yet.

The tall building in the background, for some reason has a very surreal feeling to me.

Mona Lisa was Hebrew or Turkish, maybe?

The Mona Lisa clothing store.

Posters can found posted everywhere.

Right down the center of old town. We sat at a coffee shop on this corner that served both coffee and beer. The beer is served with snacks of pretzels, green olives, black olives, pretzels, and seasoned peanuts. It was a shop that served everyone, but seemed mostly Russians.

This old building attracted me the most. The awnings torn and much work needed, but business as usual.

While my husband is trying to help me understand the lay of the roads, to create a map of the city in my head (I can laugh inside at my lack of comprehension, even if he can't), he finally gives up and points to key buildings which will serve as landmarks and visual honing places to direct me back on path.