City of Gold

My hotel is on Mount of Olives which is just outside the eastern border of old Jerusalem ('City of Gold). This is the view from my window.
The Jews believe the Messiah will descend down to heaven on Mount of Olives during Judgment day. For this reason, Mount of Olives is covered with Jewish graves. It's an extraordinary landscape (and an incredibly steep one).
There are so many narrow lanes in the old city, making it very easy for beginners to get lost. The constant inclines and jagged steps turn much of the city into a giant stepmaster. I bet my butt cheeks will be solid after this week!

Mahmood runs a souvenir shop in the Muslim quarter of old Jerusalem (there are four quarters to the old city - Muslim, Jewish, Armenian and Christian). He said business was difficult at the moment because tourists were a little frightened to venture into the Muslim quarter. When I asked him what he thinks about the Occupation he merely said "I don't [think about it]." Did he think there would ever be peace? "For fifty years we have been occupied... I was born under the occupation. So I don't think about it, I don't see why anything will change." Mahmoud lives in Ramallah, a city approximately 20kms north of Jerusalem. It takes him 3 hours to get to work every day because of the Israeli checkpoints. He told me it takes foreign passport holders (and presumably Israeli settlers) 30 minutes to travel the same distance!

The Dome of the Rock. The point where Jews, Christians and Muslims believe the universe was created, and where Abraham offered to sacrifice his son to God. Muslims also believe it is the place where the Prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven to meet other prophetic lumaneries like Adam, Moses and a few others I forget.

This is Jamal, whom I met at the end of Asir prayers (specifically, when I lent over to stop him standing on my glasses). He was far too friendly for my liking and, paranoid as ever, I got even more suspicious when I noted his shirt said 'Australia Macabia Games'. The smart money is on him being an Israeli informer asked to check me out (non-Muslims aren't allowed into the mosque). He asked me a lot of questions about where I was from, and before I said anything suggested I was from Australia... and Pakistani. Eerie, so much so I thought I might as well take his photo!

A father waits patiently as mother lines up their young family for a photo outside the Damascus Gate. The Damascus Gate is one of the entrances into the Muslim qaurter of the old city. It also happens to be where the Intifada (Palestinian uprising) of 2000 began. The children are wearing 'Free Palestine' t-shirts. Not everyone is as gloomy as Mahmoud.

The classically Middle Eastern looking dwellings of Palestinian East Jersualem. If I could paint this would be my first choice. I know the perfect spot to do it too, right across the other side of the valley where the Jewish quarter begins. If any of you can paint and consider visiting Jerusalem let me know and I'll set you up at this spot.