Jerusalem, we're back! A first brief impression

22 Nov 2021

Jerusalem, we’re back! A first brief impression

from Benjamin Funk

“It’s fuller than we thought” – we are amazed. Who would have thought that Jerusalem would be so well visited after all the lockdowns and entry bans.
We had forgotten how to queue in the summer. We had spent our vacation in Jerusalem and only had to share the sights with locals.
Now life has returned, in mid-November. Across the market alleys we hear the many languages. The world is back in Jerusalem. It smells and sounds lively and above all oriental. This is the Jerusalem we have been missing.
If the masks have not yet completely disappeared, joy has replaced fear. We enjoy our stay. Because we hadn’t been out for a long time, we were drawn to the Christ Church café when we arrived.
An absolute recommendation: the cake and coffee are to die for and taste twice as good in this wonderful setting.
Otherwise, however, we’ll hold back, because Jerusalem is not a cheap place for a family. Nevertheless, Jerusalem also offers cheap and above all oriental food.
Cheap and very good hummus, falafel, shawarma or a salad can be found on almost every corner. If need be, we can all do with a pastry.
We visit the Wailing Wall, which we call the Kotel (the Western Wall), several times during each visit.

“Cheap and very good hummus, falafel, shawarma or a salad can be found on almost every corner. If need be, one pastry is enough for all of us.”

Every time we visit Jerusalem, we also have highlights for our children on the list. And so:
It’s hard to believe, but there is a St. Martin’s procession from the Church of the Redeemer. Our kids know Israeli culture inside out. Laila, now four, had only seen a lantern parade on YouTube and really wanted to experience one – something typically German.
All in all, everything went well together: Lantern making with a parade through the neighborhood, a trombone choir, a festively lit Christian neighborhood, lots of German-speaking families, potato salad and bockwurst.
And in the evening, we were able to stop off at a friend’s house in the Johanniter Hospice and enjoy the peace and quiet. On a day like this, you can easily cover 8-12 km in the old town. Our baby carriage has been serving us well since 2017. We do not regret our decision to buy a baby carriage at that time. Anyone who has ever been to Jerusalem knows that it’s always up and down, up and down stairs and ramps.

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Photos by Elsa Mohrmann, Jerusalem

Even though we will be talking about traveling with children in Israel in the near future, we can already tell you this much: it works, and quite well, if you follow the tips and rules.
Jerusalem is a great place to experience again. There are hardly any C-rules, but all the more happy and grateful guests and business people. The old flair is back in new splendor, because a great deal of investment has been made in many areas.

A trip to Jerusalem is worthwhile, and easier travel times will come.

(Please understand that we are not discussing the cowardly and despicable attack and/or the pandemic here).