Visit to the Old City of Jerusalem

Our ship stopped in Ashdod, the largest port in Israel.  It is located south of Tel Aviv and not very far north of Gaza.   Our tour to Jerusalem was to begin at 7:30am and we were to be on the dock by 7:15am.   Around 7am we were still off the port at a dead stop in the water presumably awaiting permission to dock.  As you probably know security in Israel is very tight.   (In Aqaba, Jordan we just walked off the ship with no clearance required and no authorities paying attention.) 

 Eventually we tied up.  Israeli immigration arrived and about six ship's officers carried trays of our passports each of which contained a  landing card which had been precompleted for each of us by the ship's staff.  We each then had to retrieved our own passport and proceeded to be interviewed by Israeli immigration followed by the usual airport type screening.   The standard procedure is for our passports to be held by the ship on the ship so this entire process of picking up and carrying our passports was unique.  After all this, no one left the port before 8:30am.   

Our one hour drive to Jerusalem stretched almost into two as our bus slowly made its way toward the city through heavy rush hour traffic.  We both enjoyed the ride, the guide was excellent and there was much to see along the way.  Jerusalem today is a very large city with the Old City occupying only a small part near the center.   Today the Old City is inhabited primarily by Arabs.  Christians are the next largest group with far fewer Jews and Armenians.   Many of these people live and work within its walls.   

Before entering the Old City we stopped at the Mount of Olives for an overview.  This can be seen in the following picture.

We entered from the  Dung Gate with the Western Wall shown in the left corner.

A frequent sight in Jerusalem, Ultra Orthodox Jews.   These men for the most part don't work but instead spend there day studying the Torah.   I think we were told that there are about 300,000 Ultra Orthodox men and boys in Jerusalem alone.

Entering the Arab market area

Arab women shopping.   We can tell that they are Arab as they cover their neck while Ultra Orthodox women tend  to cover their hair but not necessarily their neck.   These women also frequently wear long skirts and thick stockings.   Regrettably I  was not able to get a photo.

Military service is mandatory for all young men and women in Israel.  They can be seen all over the country and for the most part are very friendly and welcoming.   BUT there is no question that they are there!