It's been a cold and rainy day in the Arab section of the holy city on my first day in Israel. The streets like Sala ed Din and Nablus are nevertheless busy with shoppers. The now familiar evening call to prayer echos through the crowded and dirty avenues.

The Damascus Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem, also named the Bab al Dimashq
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A police chase ensues and two cars one chasing the other barrel around the corner of the narrow street with sirens wailing and commands to pullover being shouted through the speaker system.

The people dress mostly in western style and the western products from big screen tv's to ninja turtles are everywhere. Though many if not most of the women continue to wear the hijab (headscarf), I saw one woman, however, in the full head to toe all black outfit that I had not seen since being in Aleppo Syria a couple of years ago.

As I walk down the streets alone most people pretend not to look, but every so often I catch the quick glances. Everyone I've actually talked to has been cordial if not friendly and I'm daring to try the little Arabic I know, which doesn't go far, but I think people appreciate it when you try.

Arabic music come out of the CD stores into the streets and I'll buy some after I get settled and bring it back with me. Just as I'm thinking about it a car drives by with American hip-hop blasting out of the windows and bump, bump, bumpin down the street.

TV antenna and satellite dishes near the Damascus Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem, also named the Bab al Dimashq
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Our Global Exchange group meets for the first time tonight after dinner and then we'll be getting started on this adventure come Monday morning.

The photos are of the Damascus Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem, the Bab al Dimashq. Notice the satelitte dishes in the upper right hand corner. I just thought it was interesting to see them juxtaposed against the ancient walls of the town that is at the center of the three great mono-theisms of Islam, Judeism and Christianity

From East Jerusalem,
Mike Thornton