Bethlehem and Old City, Jerusalem

Today's modern city of Jerusalem was a pleasure to experience. Overnight I found accommodation in a small hotel which carried out all communications through electronic tablets located outside and inside the hotel. It nearly worked except human error had resulted in the room key not being left in the digitally locked key cabinet, and the owner had to be called!

The street scene that night on Yafo (main street) was very upbeat. A festive joyful atmosphere without a festival .... guitar music, spontaneous singing and young people sat around on the paving. It felt good.

In daylight and refreshed overnight there was still climbing to Bethlehem. Here  the Church of the Nativity, built over the place of Jesus's birth, stands next to the town square where children play. Streets are dusty and dangerous where road improvements are being made.

Cycling into Palestinian Territory on the way to Bethlehem was straightforward. Then realizing the overpowering concrete wall barrier built by the Israelis to protect themselves was sobering and sad. The evidence of the Wall much clearer now graffiti covered in protest. 

Adjacent the Wall the hotel name was making a statement. 

Returning through this border control point was again straightforward for me with my British passport. Cars were being checked for illegal passengers. Only Palestinians with authorised visiting documents can enter.

Arriving at Jaffa Gate to enter the Old City of Jerusalem during late afternoon is my journey and pilgrimage end point.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.