Trip to Jerusalem

Last Thursday Esther and I took a couple of days off and traveled to Jerusalem for two days off, something that all EA’s are encouraged to do from time to time.  We are also encouraged to take public transportation whenever possible so we can meet other people and have conversations with them.  We left our flat in Tulkarm and walked to the bus depot.  We were lucky to find a bus waiting for passengers so the trip to Ramallah cost us 13 NIS (shekels) which is about $4. 

View From "Stars & Bucks" Coffeehouse in Ramallah

That trip took us 1 ½ hours and we got off in downtown Ramallah.  We next went to Stars & Bucks coffeehouse located on the third floor of a building which has many coffee, dessert and ice cream selections.  We chose cheesecake and ice cream along with a cup of coffee and enjoyed the sunny view of the busy streets of Ramallah. 

The St. Thomas Guest House in Jerusalem felt like home to us now and we knew right where to go when they handed us our keys.  We were delighted to have private rooms—our first since arriving on December 6^th.  After a rest we started our trek to the Old City of Jerusalem.  We also explored some neighborhoods outside the Old City. 

Since it was Thursday, many people were preparing for the week-end which is basically Friday and Saturday and then back to work on Sunday.  We walked around until we were tired and hungry.  It’s pretty easy to find any kind of food you are craving and we settled on the Holy Bagel for a snack and Thai food for dinner.

We had arranged a day trip to the Dead Sea but it was cancelled when there weren’t enough participants to make the journey.  I hope we’ll be able to go there another time.

There was plenty to do in Jerusalem the next morning and we decided to visit a holy site nearby called the Garden Tomb. 

It is believed to be the garden of Joseph of Arimathea where Jesus was buried after his crucifixion.  We joined a Nigerian tour group whose guide gave the narration in English.  He quoted scripture and outlined the historical significance of the place.  It was an incredible walk through the beautiful garden and we were privileged to hear hymns sung by the group as they walked through. 

After that we walked to the Old City of Jerusalem.  Since January 7^th is the day the Eastern Orthodox celebrate Christmas we wanted to visit an Orthodox church and see if any services were being held.  As it turned out many people of Orthodox faith had journeyed to Bethlehem to celebrate there.

Women in Black Vigil

Since we were in Jerusalem on a Friday we attended the weekly Women in Black demonstration.  It has been held weekly at the same time (1 to 2 p.m.) and in the same location since 1988 which was one month after the first Palestinian Intifada.  (I will write at a later time about Intifada....) 

It is an International Movement of Women for Peace.  Their beginnings involved a small group of Israeli women carrying out a simple form of protest.  Once a week they would wear black clothing and raise a black sign in the shape of a hand with white lettering reading in either Hebrew or English:  “Stop the Occupation.”  Within months vigils were held throughout Israel. 

Several months after the first Women in Black vigil in Israel began, “solidarity vigils” began in other countries.  It has become a movement of women of conscience of all denominations and nationalities who hold vigils to protest violence in their part of the world.  It was a privilege to stand in solidarity with others, particularly Israelis, who desire an end to the Occupation.

Susanne