Merry Sabbath to all, and too all a gut vach!

As I'm laying here, I'm listening to the sound of construction outside. A large tractor is moving large clumps of earth from the site next door. A jackhammer is not only pulverizing rock, but also the now dead silence that was in the air only moments ago. I am reminded that it is Christmas today only by checking twitter before writing this and seeing everyone in the 'States talking about it being Christmas Eve over there. Outside, along with construction is a world of working people, going about their business just before Shabbat, on a regular Friday. It's a little before 8am here and it is rather cold, I must admit. Hence why I'm doing this from the warm comfort of bed. I am too tired/lazy to upload and edit my digital shots from yesterday. Please understand. I will do that probably Saturday night or Sunday morning. Please check them out on my flickr photo-stream (linked to the right in the links section) once that happens. They are amazing!

We had a rather late night last night, going to bed around 2ish, though it wasn't the fault of jetlag. The morning began with us, once again, heading to the Shuk. We decided it'd be a good idea to do major shopping then instead of Friday because it was going to be insanely crowded. Not that we don't plan on going today as well. We still need things like Challah and cake and more rugalach to feed our addiction. But so we purchased items for the dish I am to prepare: Kidney pie. Typing that sentence caused a somewhat evil grin to move across my face. It is going to be delicious! I will surely document the event with detailed photographs and a link to the recipe.

We also purchased some lovely sharp cheddar cheese, some pesto cheese, and these exquisite olives that served as our light lunch yesterday after we returned from the Shuk. I took photos of that as well.

In the evening, we headed to the old city for our tours. I loaded up my serious photo gear, perching cameras on tripod and making sure my pockets were stuffed with film and lens cleaners and what not. We walked to the Kotel through the streets of Jerusalem, getting funny looks from native frummies who looked at me a bit dumbfounded as if to say, "What is a nice frum Jewish woman doing smothered in cameras, balancing a tripod over her shoulder?" What can I say? I'm a liberated Orthodox Jewish female. *shrug*

I got waved through security at the Kotel because the guard thought I was a journalist. I corrected him that I was an artist. He said, "Yea, me too." Ok. I felt a little unsure if he was doing a good job but Michael assured me it was merely because I am very, very white, wearing a tichel and a long skirt, and speak perfect English. I do not fit the profile for an evil-do'er. Apparently, I do fit the profile of a journalist though; which concerns me because those two are not that far apart.

At any rate, I took a few nice night shots before we went into first the heritage tour and then the tunnel tour. The tours were really great. I got asked by another tourist why I had a film camera on me when I also had a digital one. The digital was better, he exclaimed. "Why on earth would you have film?" I gave him the same shpeil that I give to anyone and everyone with doubts of the power of analog photography: Does a painter use only one brush to paint a masterpiece? Instantly, as always, it was now understood. He was a nice guy though. We chatted with him a bit at the end of the second tour before heading off to take more pictures. We wandered around the alcoves and hallways of the Arab shuk in the old city. It was pleasantly deserted, with the exception of a few soldiers, posted there to keep peace. I got asked a couple more times about cameras by onlookers and I got a few more odd glances from my fellow religious Jews.

We headed back out and a flood of Christian pilgrims migrated past us, going the opposite direction. I got lots of shots of them too. A few more long night exposures later, we headed to Ben Yahuda St and witnessed the bustling nightlife and partook of hot, chocolaty crepes. Lots of people out partying last night circa midnight. All walks of life and sorts of people, mingling together in the holy city of Jerusalem. Some goofing off, others catching a meal. Some playing music, more dancing and singing. It was lovely.

When we got home it was rather late/early but I still managed to be up at 6:30 this morning.

As I've mentioned we're to head back to the shuk for last minute things. I'm koshering the oven as we speak and I hope to cook. We're invited to Michael's cousin for Friday night meal, which is lovely and exciting. I hope it isn't too cold tonight on the walk back.

Shabbat Shalom!