We walked into the Old City for Purim. We found out Purim is celebrated in Tel Aviv on Sunday and in Jerusalem on Monday, so we were a day early.
Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the story in the Old Testament book of Esther. People dress up in costumes. We were told the rules fall by the wayside on this day. Even Orthodox Jews consider it a day when they can do things they normally won't do - listen to the radio, get drunk, etc.
Since we missed Purim, we took pictures of everyday scenes.
This home is built into the side of the hill. It is across from "Cosco" on the Old City side of the Kidron Valley. We pass it each time we walk from the Jerusalem Center into the city.
Jews of different sects have unique dress and appearance standards. The color black is pretty common.
This man was standing at a walking intersection. We asked him for directions which he kindly gave us. Before we left, he asked for a donation to an organization for poor people. I asked for a card from the organization, and he said he didn't have one. Linda gave him some money, but I really don't know if the money will leave his pocket for the benefit of an organization or for himself. I hope he was legitimate, but it would be a nice scam.
Instead of a hat, this Jew is wearing a kipa. It looks like he just finished his ice cream bar.
Beards are very popular among the Orthodox Jews.
This is a Jewish family, headed down the stairs to the Western Wall while enjoying a little refreshment.
At least his sweater isn't black.
Ringlet side burns are popular among the Orthodox Jews.
These young Jews got upset with Linda for taking their picture. Notice they are wearing kipas.
This young Jew was a real ham. Linda asked his mom if we could take a picture of him. They were on the way home from a performance. He has a violin strapped to his back, and...
...the violin is almost as tall as he is.
There's his brother in the background.
We stopped at an pottery store in the Armenian Quarter, just inside New Gate. This is the owner. He designs the pieces and does some of the painting.
Here is a close-up of some of his products.
Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we see the rock where Jesus' body was laid after he was crucified. Golgotha, the hill where he was crucified, is in the background on the second level. Queen Helena, mother of Constantine, identified this as the site of the crucifixion and resurrection. This church was built to mark the location.
We stopped at Lina's in the Old City on Via Dolorsa for lunch. Linda ordered hummus with roasted pine nuts. You would never guess it, but she really did like it.
We watched as one of the cooks mixed a new batch of hummus. Hummus is ground chick peas.
He saw me just as I took this picture. He gave me a tongue lashing in Arabic.
Meat market in the Old City.
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