Israel...Part 2...Day 2

March 7, 2019

Day 2: We woke up this morning way earlier than expected, around 4:45, unable to sleep another wink due to severe jet lag. We got ready and headed down for breakfast where there's salad, toast and chocolate frosting...yeah, it's weird but oddly satisfying!

After breakfast I had one wish: Coffix. Coffix is a 5 shekel (roughly $1.40) cup of coffee. I was too stuffed with toast and chocolate frosting for my signature chocolate croissant, but I was still happy for the frozen/iced coffee concoction that was given to me.

We decided to meander around Jaffa St, then wandered over to the Yehuda Market. For those not in the know, the Yehuda Market is where Jerusalem-ites shop for food and candy. Yes, kosher gummy worms, bears and, as Clara will soon find, cobras. Yuck!!! We also picked up some main staples for our Shabbat lunch - the entire city of Jerusalem shuts down on Saturdays and we will have to fend for ourselves that day. We'll head back over there tomorrow for dessert and freshly baked bread but rest assured that we're well taken care of...

Yahuda Market

We had a City of David tour scheduled for 2pm so we had some time to kill. The best way to do that? Shopping at Jerusalem's shuk (aka market)!!!! I got to polish off some of my old bartering skills and Joanie and my mom got to join into the fun. It's just the first day of shopping and I'm already needing another suitcase. Oops!

Shuk shopping!

Jewish Quarter

The City of David tour was something that I missed last time my family visited Israel. Such a shame! Our tour guide, Allen, was very knowledgeable and it was a wonderful way kick off our Israel adventure. We visited a portion of Nehemiah's wall and spelunked in Hezekiah's tunnel. We learned so much! I can't even begin to discuss everything we heard and saw today.

The tour guide explained that this is a new dig. 20 years ago he used to park his car here. 

An old mansion. How do I know this? Take note of the indoor toilet.

Part of Nehemiah's wall

Hezzakiah's Tunnel

Hezzakiah's Tunnel. They didn't tell us there would be a weight limit...lol. thankfully we made the cut! 

While walking back toward the hotel we decided to hit an Ethiopian restaurant, taking my poor mom waaay out of her comfort zone. Safe to say that Joanie and I took out the majority of the food ( my mom picked at the recognizable salad on top).

Ethiopian food - my mom said NEVER AGAIN!

We wound down in the lounge with a couple drinks (mine...not theirs) but we took off once the noise started getting obnoxious. It's getting late now though and I can still hear the music below us. Thursday night is their Friday night so I'm wondering how long this will go on tonight????

Miles walked: 10.84