Mira told me that next day will be warm and sunny so I decided to go that to visit in Bruges, famous medieval city north from Brussels. I took a train in the morning and the trip didn't took long, maybe an hour or little over it. At the Bruges train station it was clear which direction I should go because I could see the towers of the old town. But I bought map of the city at the station from a vending machine (map costs 50 cents) just to be sure. And people speak better English here than in Brussels and of course Dutch instead of French.
I first walked to the Begijnhof or Beguinage monastery. It was absolutely beautiful. The square was quiet and full of daffodils, and not so many tourists seemed to find their way here. But the blooming daffodils really made that place look special. This was my favourite part in my Bruges visit. I continued my walk towards Chuch of Our Lady and when I got there there was film crew filming something. Lots of people had stopped to see what was happening. But as nothing seemed to go on yet I went to visit the church. It was quite basic inside, nothing special to my eyes.
From the church I continued my walk along a canal to Rozenhoedkaai which is said to be the most photographed spot in Bruges. Nice spot but I found many more photogenic spots in this town. From there I walked to the Burg square which has nice buildings surrounding it but the real diamond of the city was already peeking behind the buildings. So I walked to the Markt square to see it closer: the belfry of Bruges. It's tall and beautiful and it's possible to walk to the top but with my bad fitness I decided to skip that. Markt seemed to busy market with both locals and tourists. Oh, I forgot to mention earlier but this town is full of tourists so be prepared. I had my lunch at Subway (yes, bad me) and then I walked to see part of the town that was called "The former Hanseatic Bruges" by my map. It looked same as other parts of Bruges. Looking at my map I noticed I had seen all the highlights of the city. As I wasn't interested to visit any museums and I had almost full day still ahead I decided to take a train to university city of Leuven which was recommended by my friends. On my walk back to the train station I passed St. Saviour's Church, some almshouses and gunpowder tower. Weather was getting hotter and many people were walking around in t-shirts and shorts. I also changed my long-sleeve to t-shirt.
After changing train in Brussels I arrived to Leuven. From the station I walked along what I believe is main street of the city to St. Peter's Church. It's belfry is World Heritage Site and it's has interesting history. The belfry is only 50 meters tall and doesn't stand out of the rest of the church. It was originally supposed to be 169 meters tall but it was never completed. Next to the church is the star of the city: the town hall of Leuven. It's an amazing piece of architecture. As sun was shining straight to the square in front of it I decided to sit down, have a beer and marvel at it's beauty. And at that point weather was very hot, summer temperatures at the start of April, amazing!
My next destination was Groot Begijnhof or Large Beguinage of Leuven. This beguinage was much larger than the one in Bruges and totally different in every way. The one in Bruges was just one square with white houses. This one in Leuven was like a small village with tile buildings without paint. I walked around and it seemed to serve as class rooms and apartments for the university. I would like to live here definitely! After nice walk around the beguinage I walked back to the town hall and from there I walked to see the amazing building of the University Library. I read after my visit that the original library was destroyed in World War I and this one was gift from the Americans. Finally something good coming from the USA.
After my Leuven tour I took a train back to Brussels. There was pregnant lady sitting in front of me in the train and at one point she started to hold her stomach and her face look like she was in lot of pain. I was hoping so bad that "please, don't start to give birth now!" Luckily it seemed that maybe her baby was just kicking as she stopped holding her tummy. But oh boy, how scared I was :P
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Belgium - Brussels, 1
I was going to attend an international student meeting in Netherlands in early April. But as I had been in Netherlands before I thought what new I could add to my trip. So I decided to spend couple days in Belgium before the meeting as I haven't been in Belgium before. So in April 3rd my flight from Helsinki to Brussels rose up in the air. I was flying with Air Baltic so I needed to change planes in Riga. I had only like 40 minutes time to spend in Riga airport which was more than enough.
My flight arrived to Brussels in early evening. Weather was sunny and warm in Belgium, it felt like summer already. In Brussels I was going to couchsurf again, this time with a guy called Hans. Hans lived near Gare du Midi train station so I took a train from airport to there. I found his house quickly and easily. He lives in St Gilles neigbourhood which is very beautiful area in my opinion. Hans had his ex-roommates visiting him and I had nice time talking and eating with them. After the guests went home we went to sleep.
Next day I started my extensive sightseeing tour. My plan was to visit in every World Heritage site in Brussels so I started doing that straight away. My first mission was to find Victor Horta Museum, part of the Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta World Heritage site. My host Hans didn't know it's exact location and neither did know his ex-roommates but they knew which part of the city it's located and what tram goes there. So I decided to follow that tram line and I hoped that I will end up in the right place. I really enjoyed walking through St Gilles, houses there are really beautiful! And it's hard to imagine that it's considered as a dangerous part of the city. Soon I was in the area where the Victor Horta museum was supposed to be and soon I realised I didn't have any clue where it could be there. But when I was about to ask help I noticed that I was on the right street! That was lucky! And soon I found the museum but it was still closed! The museum didn't open until afternoon and it wasn't even noon yet. So I needed to think what should I do before it opens. I was quite far from the city centre so I didn't want to go there. I looked at the tram map and I decided to go visit the Africa Museum in the outskirts of Brussels. I first took a tram to Montgomery and from there I walked little bit to Stoclet Palace which is also a World Heritage site! Unfortunately the palace (it's more house than palace) is not open to the public because it's still a private residence. I took couple pictures of it outside and then I took a tram to Tervuren where the Africa Museum is located.
Tervuren is actually outside of Brussels and the tram was going through forests which was new to me. It was very peaceful at Tervuren and so green! It was still snowy in Finland but here the spring was full on! I found the museum easily, there didn't seem to be many other visitors, only school groups. I was surprised about the looks of the museum, I didn't know it had such a huge and beautiful garden and the museum looked like a palace. There was nice elephant statues in the garden. The museum had very nice collections of African items and animals. Only problem was that there was only little information in English but the lady at the ticket counter said they usually have English brochures but they had run out of them at that time. But my Frech and Dutch skills were good enough to understand the main points of the information. After I toured the museum I went back to tram stop and I headed towards Brussels and Victor Horta Museum.
I arrived to the museum half hour before it opened. There was couple people waiting for it to open. I went get something to eat first and I found nice baguette shop which was called Krusties, if I remember right. They had quite cheap prices and nice customer service so I recommend them! I took the baguette with me and I went to wait up for the museum to open. The museum is not big as it used to be a private house. But it it was really nice looking and I recommed to visit it if you have time. It didn't took me long to go around it so I went to see other Victor Horta buildings which were nearby. In the end I found myself next to the Palais Justice, a huge court house. I was surprised how great views over Brussels you could see from the court house. From there I continued my walk towards Grand-Place. I passed the famous Manneken Pis on the way. It had started to rain a little bit so there wasn't that many tourists trying to take pictures with this peeing boy. Grand-Place was only a short walk from there. All I can say about Grand-Place is that it's beautiful and full of tourists. After taking pictures of the Grand-Place from every direction I started to walk back to Hans's place. On the way I bought some chips, which was my basic food during my stay in Belgium.
At Hans's place I got text message from my Finnish friend Mira, who was working in Brussels. She asked if I would like to come with her and her roommates to a bar. As Hans was busy on that evening I decided to meet Mira and her friends. Later I met Mira at metro station and we went to a bar near her home. I had very nice time there, talking with Mira and her friends and sampling different Belgian beers. Kwak and Gueuze were my favourites. Mira and I were both going to the Netherlands to the same student meeting so we were planning about our trip there. She also invited me to the Eurocrats Thursday's afterwork party which I definitely would attend. I left back Hans's place and when I came there he was already sleeping and sleep was just what I needed also after that long day.
My flight arrived to Brussels in early evening. Weather was sunny and warm in Belgium, it felt like summer already. In Brussels I was going to couchsurf again, this time with a guy called Hans. Hans lived near Gare du Midi train station so I took a train from airport to there. I found his house quickly and easily. He lives in St Gilles neigbourhood which is very beautiful area in my opinion. Hans had his ex-roommates visiting him and I had nice time talking and eating with them. After the guests went home we went to sleep.
Next day I started my extensive sightseeing tour. My plan was to visit in every World Heritage site in Brussels so I started doing that straight away. My first mission was to find Victor Horta Museum, part of the Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta World Heritage site. My host Hans didn't know it's exact location and neither did know his ex-roommates but they knew which part of the city it's located and what tram goes there. So I decided to follow that tram line and I hoped that I will end up in the right place. I really enjoyed walking through St Gilles, houses there are really beautiful! And it's hard to imagine that it's considered as a dangerous part of the city. Soon I was in the area where the Victor Horta museum was supposed to be and soon I realised I didn't have any clue where it could be there. But when I was about to ask help I noticed that I was on the right street! That was lucky! And soon I found the museum but it was still closed! The museum didn't open until afternoon and it wasn't even noon yet. So I needed to think what should I do before it opens. I was quite far from the city centre so I didn't want to go there. I looked at the tram map and I decided to go visit the Africa Museum in the outskirts of Brussels. I first took a tram to Montgomery and from there I walked little bit to Stoclet Palace which is also a World Heritage site! Unfortunately the palace (it's more house than palace) is not open to the public because it's still a private residence. I took couple pictures of it outside and then I took a tram to Tervuren where the Africa Museum is located.
Tervuren is actually outside of Brussels and the tram was going through forests which was new to me. It was very peaceful at Tervuren and so green! It was still snowy in Finland but here the spring was full on! I found the museum easily, there didn't seem to be many other visitors, only school groups. I was surprised about the looks of the museum, I didn't know it had such a huge and beautiful garden and the museum looked like a palace. There was nice elephant statues in the garden. The museum had very nice collections of African items and animals. Only problem was that there was only little information in English but the lady at the ticket counter said they usually have English brochures but they had run out of them at that time. But my Frech and Dutch skills were good enough to understand the main points of the information. After I toured the museum I went back to tram stop and I headed towards Brussels and Victor Horta Museum.
I arrived to the museum half hour before it opened. There was couple people waiting for it to open. I went get something to eat first and I found nice baguette shop which was called Krusties, if I remember right. They had quite cheap prices and nice customer service so I recommend them! I took the baguette with me and I went to wait up for the museum to open. The museum is not big as it used to be a private house. But it it was really nice looking and I recommed to visit it if you have time. It didn't took me long to go around it so I went to see other Victor Horta buildings which were nearby. In the end I found myself next to the Palais Justice, a huge court house. I was surprised how great views over Brussels you could see from the court house. From there I continued my walk towards Grand-Place. I passed the famous Manneken Pis on the way. It had started to rain a little bit so there wasn't that many tourists trying to take pictures with this peeing boy. Grand-Place was only a short walk from there. All I can say about Grand-Place is that it's beautiful and full of tourists. After taking pictures of the Grand-Place from every direction I started to walk back to Hans's place. On the way I bought some chips, which was my basic food during my stay in Belgium.
At Hans's place I got text message from my Finnish friend Mira, who was working in Brussels. She asked if I would like to come with her and her roommates to a bar. As Hans was busy on that evening I decided to meet Mira and her friends. Later I met Mira at metro station and we went to a bar near her home. I had very nice time there, talking with Mira and her friends and sampling different Belgian beers. Kwak and Gueuze were my favourites. Mira and I were both going to the Netherlands to the same student meeting so we were planning about our trip there. She also invited me to the Eurocrats Thursday's afterwork party which I definitely would attend. I left back Hans's place and when I came there he was already sleeping and sleep was just what I needed also after that long day.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Israel - Tel Aviv
Once again I woke up early and I headed straight to the Jerusalem Central Bus Station. Well, not totally straight. I wanted to first take a picture of the interesting looking Chords Bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava. I like Calatrava's works so this bridge was must place for me to visit. After couple pictures I went to find the bus to Tel Aviv's Arlosoroff Bus Terminal. My next host in Tel Aviv lived more close to that bus terminal than the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station. As it was Friday the bus station was full of people and I needed to queue up 30 minutes to get in the bus. And actually I didn't even get to the first bus but to the next one.
When I arrived to Tel Aviv it was hot outside and I liked it! I called to my new host Boaz and he came to pick me up from the bus station. We drove to his place and what a place that was! He had amazing views over the city from his apartment. I loved it! We talked little but he needed leave to his band rehearsels so I went to walk in the city. I visited in Rabin Square to see quite horrible the town hall. Then I tried to find a food court from Dizengoff shopping centre but I didn't manage to do that. Later I heard that it was downstairs where I didn't look. So once again I just bought falafel pita from the street but eating only falafels is not a problem in Israel because they are delicious everywhere! Then I went to see a handicraft market near Carmel Market. The market was full of people and there was lots of interesting stuff to buy, althought quite pricy. I decided to buy small retro Hebrew Coca-Cola advert. The guy who sold it to me had a lot of cool old posters for sale. There was also lots of performers at the market and I also bought an Arab pancake or something like that which was good. From there I went to Carmel Market where was many people too and I bought fresh strawberries from the same seller I bought oranges a week ago. And the guy selling the fruits still remembered me! And we talked little bit about Finnish football as he was Jari Litmanen fan.
I walked back to Boaz's place via the beach. As it was warm day many people were playing or just hanging around at the beach. I also decided to sit down and I enjoyed my strawberries and the sunshine. When I got back to Boaz's place I met Jack. Jack was other couhsurfer who was staying also at Boaz's place. I didn't meet him in the morning because he was outside. Jack was going to the beach and asked if I wanted to come with him but I was very tired because of lack of sleep so I just decided to stay home and take a nap.
When I woke up Boaz and Jack were both back home and it was already dark outside. Soon it started to rain hard and there was lightnings striking everywhere. We had earlier decided that we would go eating out together and so we left to Jaffa where we went to an Arabic restaurant. Once again the variety of starters amazed me and again they would have been enough to keep me full but I had already ordered a main course which was seafood, octopus rings and shrimps if I remember right. While eating Jack asked if I wanted to go clubbing with him after the dinner and I answered yes. So after eating Boaz took us to a bar near his place. We had couple drinks there and then Boaz went home but me and Jack continued to a club. The club was located in an old industrial hall outside city centre. When we got there the doorman asked password. We were confused but the guys before us in the line told us that if you know the password you get discount to the entrance fee. And the nice guys told us the password so we got in cheaper, yey! The club was big and the music was just right for my taste so I enjoyed dancing there very much. At one point they had band playing couple David Bowie songs live but after the performance the club music continued. They also had big video screens on the walls showing the music videos for the songs. At some point Jack and I lost each other and around 4am I decided to go home. For some strange reason I walked all the way back to the Boaz's place. I only stopped to buy water from supermarket. I was really tired when I finally came back to Boaz's place.
When I woke up I was feeling quite horrible. It was not hangover but it was my feet which were hurting like crazy. Boaz and Jack were already talking in the living room. Jack said he had came home before me with taxi. I decided to just rest the whole day because my feet were really tired and I was really tired. I only visited in nearby supermarket. Jack left back home to London in that day and Boaz took him to train station. While they were there I fell asleep. When I woke up later I asked if Boaz wanted to go eat something. We decided to get some shawarma and oh, how great it tasted as I was really hungry.
My flight back to Finland (via Budapest again) left at 6am so Boaz was nice enough to took me to the train station at 3am. But because I messed up with timetables I just missed my train. Next train was coming in an hour so I needed to take a taxi to the airport. I didn't have enough Shekels in cash to pay for the taxi ride but I had lots of euros. After short conversation the taxi driver said that it was ok to pay with euros and I was happy. At the airport the driver didn't really like that I paid some of the sum with coins but they were 2 euro coins so you can exchange them everywhere. And after I got out from the taxi the security hell started.
First I was stopped at the airport doors. The securityman asked basic questions: where I have been, what have I done, with who and where I'm going now. After that I got in. Then I searched where was my check-in desk. There was 2 empty lines and a securitywoman standing at the start of them. She asked me where I was flying to and then directed me to the right line. I walked through it and I came to the check-in area. There was 2 big machines next to me with some people putting their luggage through them but I passed them and went straight to the check-in desk. At the desk the check-in lady asked me where was my security sticker. I said I didn't have any and she adviced me that I needed to take my luggage first through the big machines I saw earlier. So I walked back to the machines and put my backpack through them. The securitywomen saw something in my bag and asked me to come with them. At the security check table they asked me if I had dates in my bag and I said yes because I had dried dates, papayas and kiwis. They wanted to see the dates and after I showed them they said everything was ok.
But then one of them asked where is my security sticker. And again I said I didn't have any security stickers. Then they asked if somebody had interviewed me already and I said that some securityman asked me questions at the airport doors. They said that they didn't mean that interview but an interview just before the luggage machines. I said that nobody asked me questions before I put my luggage in the machine. Then they took my passport and asked me to wait there. Soon a man and a women came to ask me questions. First they askes me where I was from and how is my name pronounced. Then they went away and came back again and now they asked the basic questions of my trip in Israel. Again they went away and again came back. Now they asked me have I been in Egypt (I have stamps from Egypt in my passport). I said yes and then they asked with who I was there (with my family) and where they are now (at home, in Finland...). Then they asked me when I was in Egypt and after I said almost 6 years ago they said they thought I had been there now (the dates in Egyptian stamps are in Arabic so they didn't understand them). They also quickly asked my parents names. Then they went away and came back with the security stickers which they put on my passport, on my bacpack and on my hand luggage.
I had to put again my backpack through the big machine. And now they saw more dangerous stuff in my stuff. This time it was the papayas. But then they went through all my stuff with a sniffing hoover. I little laughed because my dirty socks and underwear were on top so they needed move them to get to the bottom. After the search they finally escorted me to the check-in desk. But I didn't get leave my luggage there. Because I had been declared to be dangerous my backpack was put in a special elevator with other "dangerous" luggage. My escort released me and I went to eat at McDonald's where I had the most interesting customer service ever. The girl there was talking to her cell phone and was totally shocked when I dared to interrupt her conversation with my order.
After eating it was time for a new security check. The securitymen at the start of the security lines checked my passport after noticing from the sticker that I was dangerous guided me to the special people's line. It was only good thing because I didn't need to wait up in a long normal line. I put my hand luggage (and also my belt and my long-sleeve shirt) through the same kind of machine they checked my backpack earlier. After that security check I was free to go. All that security stuff took almost 1.5 hours so I didn't need to wait long for the boarding to start. I slept most of the flight, I woke up when the flight attendant threw the breakfast in front of me. At Budapest I had again 5 hours to wait my flight to Helsinki. On both flights I had the seat next to the emergency exits so lots of leg room! There was no snow in Budapest but back in Helsinki there was lots of snow and freaking cold. I wished I was still in Israel.
When I arrived to Tel Aviv it was hot outside and I liked it! I called to my new host Boaz and he came to pick me up from the bus station. We drove to his place and what a place that was! He had amazing views over the city from his apartment. I loved it! We talked little but he needed leave to his band rehearsels so I went to walk in the city. I visited in Rabin Square to see quite horrible the town hall. Then I tried to find a food court from Dizengoff shopping centre but I didn't manage to do that. Later I heard that it was downstairs where I didn't look. So once again I just bought falafel pita from the street but eating only falafels is not a problem in Israel because they are delicious everywhere! Then I went to see a handicraft market near Carmel Market. The market was full of people and there was lots of interesting stuff to buy, althought quite pricy. I decided to buy small retro Hebrew Coca-Cola advert. The guy who sold it to me had a lot of cool old posters for sale. There was also lots of performers at the market and I also bought an Arab pancake or something like that which was good. From there I went to Carmel Market where was many people too and I bought fresh strawberries from the same seller I bought oranges a week ago. And the guy selling the fruits still remembered me! And we talked little bit about Finnish football as he was Jari Litmanen fan.
I walked back to Boaz's place via the beach. As it was warm day many people were playing or just hanging around at the beach. I also decided to sit down and I enjoyed my strawberries and the sunshine. When I got back to Boaz's place I met Jack. Jack was other couhsurfer who was staying also at Boaz's place. I didn't meet him in the morning because he was outside. Jack was going to the beach and asked if I wanted to come with him but I was very tired because of lack of sleep so I just decided to stay home and take a nap.
When I woke up Boaz and Jack were both back home and it was already dark outside. Soon it started to rain hard and there was lightnings striking everywhere. We had earlier decided that we would go eating out together and so we left to Jaffa where we went to an Arabic restaurant. Once again the variety of starters amazed me and again they would have been enough to keep me full but I had already ordered a main course which was seafood, octopus rings and shrimps if I remember right. While eating Jack asked if I wanted to go clubbing with him after the dinner and I answered yes. So after eating Boaz took us to a bar near his place. We had couple drinks there and then Boaz went home but me and Jack continued to a club. The club was located in an old industrial hall outside city centre. When we got there the doorman asked password. We were confused but the guys before us in the line told us that if you know the password you get discount to the entrance fee. And the nice guys told us the password so we got in cheaper, yey! The club was big and the music was just right for my taste so I enjoyed dancing there very much. At one point they had band playing couple David Bowie songs live but after the performance the club music continued. They also had big video screens on the walls showing the music videos for the songs. At some point Jack and I lost each other and around 4am I decided to go home. For some strange reason I walked all the way back to the Boaz's place. I only stopped to buy water from supermarket. I was really tired when I finally came back to Boaz's place.
When I woke up I was feeling quite horrible. It was not hangover but it was my feet which were hurting like crazy. Boaz and Jack were already talking in the living room. Jack said he had came home before me with taxi. I decided to just rest the whole day because my feet were really tired and I was really tired. I only visited in nearby supermarket. Jack left back home to London in that day and Boaz took him to train station. While they were there I fell asleep. When I woke up later I asked if Boaz wanted to go eat something. We decided to get some shawarma and oh, how great it tasted as I was really hungry.
My flight back to Finland (via Budapest again) left at 6am so Boaz was nice enough to took me to the train station at 3am. But because I messed up with timetables I just missed my train. Next train was coming in an hour so I needed to take a taxi to the airport. I didn't have enough Shekels in cash to pay for the taxi ride but I had lots of euros. After short conversation the taxi driver said that it was ok to pay with euros and I was happy. At the airport the driver didn't really like that I paid some of the sum with coins but they were 2 euro coins so you can exchange them everywhere. And after I got out from the taxi the security hell started.
First I was stopped at the airport doors. The securityman asked basic questions: where I have been, what have I done, with who and where I'm going now. After that I got in. Then I searched where was my check-in desk. There was 2 empty lines and a securitywoman standing at the start of them. She asked me where I was flying to and then directed me to the right line. I walked through it and I came to the check-in area. There was 2 big machines next to me with some people putting their luggage through them but I passed them and went straight to the check-in desk. At the desk the check-in lady asked me where was my security sticker. I said I didn't have any and she adviced me that I needed to take my luggage first through the big machines I saw earlier. So I walked back to the machines and put my backpack through them. The securitywomen saw something in my bag and asked me to come with them. At the security check table they asked me if I had dates in my bag and I said yes because I had dried dates, papayas and kiwis. They wanted to see the dates and after I showed them they said everything was ok.
But then one of them asked where is my security sticker. And again I said I didn't have any security stickers. Then they asked if somebody had interviewed me already and I said that some securityman asked me questions at the airport doors. They said that they didn't mean that interview but an interview just before the luggage machines. I said that nobody asked me questions before I put my luggage in the machine. Then they took my passport and asked me to wait there. Soon a man and a women came to ask me questions. First they askes me where I was from and how is my name pronounced. Then they went away and came back again and now they asked the basic questions of my trip in Israel. Again they went away and again came back. Now they asked me have I been in Egypt (I have stamps from Egypt in my passport). I said yes and then they asked with who I was there (with my family) and where they are now (at home, in Finland...). Then they asked me when I was in Egypt and after I said almost 6 years ago they said they thought I had been there now (the dates in Egyptian stamps are in Arabic so they didn't understand them). They also quickly asked my parents names. Then they went away and came back with the security stickers which they put on my passport, on my bacpack and on my hand luggage.
I had to put again my backpack through the big machine. And now they saw more dangerous stuff in my stuff. This time it was the papayas. But then they went through all my stuff with a sniffing hoover. I little laughed because my dirty socks and underwear were on top so they needed move them to get to the bottom. After the search they finally escorted me to the check-in desk. But I didn't get leave my luggage there. Because I had been declared to be dangerous my backpack was put in a special elevator with other "dangerous" luggage. My escort released me and I went to eat at McDonald's where I had the most interesting customer service ever. The girl there was talking to her cell phone and was totally shocked when I dared to interrupt her conversation with my order.
After eating it was time for a new security check. The securitymen at the start of the security lines checked my passport after noticing from the sticker that I was dangerous guided me to the special people's line. It was only good thing because I didn't need to wait up in a long normal line. I put my hand luggage (and also my belt and my long-sleeve shirt) through the same kind of machine they checked my backpack earlier. After that security check I was free to go. All that security stuff took almost 1.5 hours so I didn't need to wait long for the boarding to start. I slept most of the flight, I woke up when the flight attendant threw the breakfast in front of me. At Budapest I had again 5 hours to wait my flight to Helsinki. On both flights I had the seat next to the emergency exits so lots of leg room! There was no snow in Budapest but back in Helsinki there was lots of snow and freaking cold. I wished I was still in Israel.
Jerusalem - day 4
When I woke up I packed my things because I needed to leave Olga's place. There was a new couchsurfer coming to her place today. I said goodbye to her and then I walked to the hostel I stayed before. I got a bed from a same room where I was staying before but unfortunately I didn't got the same bed as last time. I hate sleeping on the top bed. But after leaving my stuff there I headed to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum. Bus driver was nice enough to tell me at what stop I needed to get off. I was very surprised of the scenery in the area. I didn't know there was forests like that in Israel. And it was so quiet! Very refresing after the noisy city centre. But I have to admit that Jerusalem's city centre is very quiet in the night. But back in Yad Vashem there was free shuttle bus going from the bus stop to the museum. There was no timetable so I just decided to walk to the museum through the forest. Yad Vashem is free to enter but I decided to buy a map of the area. It was good decision because the museum area is vast. I hate crowds and group tours in the museums and unfortunately the Holocaust History Museum was full of people and groups. But there was lots of good information (everything also in English) and especially lots of new information for me. Anyway, I enjoyed more walking outside in the park. There is different monuments all around the park and I was mostly alone when I was walking there. Only sound I heard was wind blowing. And because the museum is on top of a hill there was nice views to the Jerusalem Forest and suburbs around it.
After touring around the whole Yad Vashem I took bus back to the city centre. I went to Mahane Yehuda Market to buy food and I also bought some souvenir. Then my plan was to visit Israel Museum. I had asked earlier from the hostel how to get to the museum. So I took the bus they had adviced. But the driver of the bus said that I took the bus to the wrong direction. So I got off at the next stop and waited a looong time for the right bus. The next driver was also helpful and promised to say to me when I should get off. It was rush hour and the bus drive took ages. Finally I arrived to the museum but when I got to the doors I noticed that it was closing in 30 minutes. I had checked wrong opening hours for the museum. Israel Museum is open later on one day of the week and I thought it was that day but it had been the day before. But they let me walk in the museum garden where I saw the famous Second Temple Era model of Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book fountain. I also noticed that the Israeli parliament building Knesset was located next to the museum. It was already getting dark so I took bus back to the hostel.
At hostel I spend time with other hostel guests and I went to buy the best falafel in Jerusalem - well, that was the name of the falafel place but it was good falafel. At one point I got a text message from Will. Will was a guy I met at couhsurfing website who asked if I want to have a drink with him in a bar. Because my fellow hostel stayers were very boring company I answered positively to his invitation. I met Will in his favourite bar and I talked with him and with some of his friends. Time went fast and suddenly it was already 3am and I left back to the hostel via shawarma shop. Everybody else in the room were already sleeping so I felt bad for waking some of them up with my late night arrival. And again I had only short sleep ahead of me because I needed to take early bus in the morning.
After touring around the whole Yad Vashem I took bus back to the city centre. I went to Mahane Yehuda Market to buy food and I also bought some souvenir. Then my plan was to visit Israel Museum. I had asked earlier from the hostel how to get to the museum. So I took the bus they had adviced. But the driver of the bus said that I took the bus to the wrong direction. So I got off at the next stop and waited a looong time for the right bus. The next driver was also helpful and promised to say to me when I should get off. It was rush hour and the bus drive took ages. Finally I arrived to the museum but when I got to the doors I noticed that it was closing in 30 minutes. I had checked wrong opening hours for the museum. Israel Museum is open later on one day of the week and I thought it was that day but it had been the day before. But they let me walk in the museum garden where I saw the famous Second Temple Era model of Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book fountain. I also noticed that the Israeli parliament building Knesset was located next to the museum. It was already getting dark so I took bus back to the hostel.
At hostel I spend time with other hostel guests and I went to buy the best falafel in Jerusalem - well, that was the name of the falafel place but it was good falafel. At one point I got a text message from Will. Will was a guy I met at couhsurfing website who asked if I want to have a drink with him in a bar. Because my fellow hostel stayers were very boring company I answered positively to his invitation. I met Will in his favourite bar and I talked with him and with some of his friends. Time went fast and suddenly it was already 3am and I left back to the hostel via shawarma shop. Everybody else in the room were already sleeping so I felt bad for waking some of them up with my late night arrival. And again I had only short sleep ahead of me because I needed to take early bus in the morning.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Jerusalem - Bethlehem (day 3)
My day started with a bagel from a place called Holy Bagel - very good customer service in that place! I recommend. After bagel it was time for more serious stuff. I walked to the old town and looked for the Arab bus station near it. Today I would be going to visit in a very interesting area - Bethlehem in Palestinian Territory. The Arab bus station is located quite near the Damascus Gate of old town. I took the bus number 21 and I was surprised how most of the people in the bus were tourists (and I was also surprised that it was a big bus not a mini bus). We were quickly outside of Jerusalem and driving along the wall between Israel and Palestine. It wasn't my first time to see the wall, I already saw it from a Haifa-Jerusalem bus. Suddenly the bus stopped middle of nothing and most of the local people left the bus. Outside the bus there were lots of cars waiting. We tourists were very confused but then the bus continued it's drive and this stop is still mystery for me.
I didn't even noticed the point where we crossed the border but soon the bus stopped at big junction. Some of use where little confused if this was the last stop and asked it from the driver who said that this is the last stop. So we all left the bus and then everybody disappeared in different directions. I was little confused where to go but then I noticed otherside of the junction a familiar street name from the guide books (Pope Paul VI street). I started to walk along it and the streets were busy with people opening their shops and going to work and school. I passed Lutheran Christmas Church and I came to more older part of the Bethlehem. Soon I was at the Mager Square and the Church of the Nativity was standing before me. There was still Christmas decorations around the square. I then went to inside to the church. There was service still going and the priests (or monks) were singing and incense was smelling. Because the priests were inside of the Grotto of the Nativity their singing was echoing mysteriously around the church. Very mystic atmosphere. After the priests left somewhere through a secret door I went to see the grotto myself. Smell of incense was very strong and I had hard time breathing. I watched some time how people kissed the spot where Jesus was born and then walked around the church complex. When big Russian tourist group arrived I decided to leave.
I walked back to the Pope Paul VI street and decided to buy real Palestinian scarf from Palestine. I suck at haggling so I was totally ripped of but it was worth of it - I got nice tea and sweets. But after that I was so low on money that I needed to go back to Jerusalem. I walked back to the big junction and from there I started to walk towards north along Hebron Road. Soon I came to the wall between Palestine and Israel and I started to follow it. There was no other people around so I took pictures of the graffities without any disturbance. At one point I met 2 local guys who wanted me to take picture of them because they wanted to represent Palestine. Couple times the wall went behind houses or fences so I needed to walk along streets near it. The wall was at the same time a beautiful and sad experience. I advice people to go see it. Then I arrived to the border check point which was full of taxis with their drivers offering me rides to anywhere in the West Bank. I kindly ignored them and I walked to border check. First 100 metres made me feel like I was going to jail and soon I was speaking to border control people through black glasses so I didn't even see where they were. One girl checked my passport quickly and then I was back in Israel.
There was big line of mini buses (sherut) number 24 waiting for people going to Jerusalem. I had just enough money to go back - it was stupid thing to go to Bethlehem with little money. The bus left when it was almost full. It took more people inside on other bus stops so it was very full when I left it at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. I went to find falafel from old town and I met Olga and Marcin there. They were going to an internet cafe and Olga said she was going to come back home late this night also. After our conversation I went to a tourist information office to buy tickets for a walk on top of the old town walls. In the office I met one of the Israeli guys from the bar. He still remembered the Finnish phrases I taught him a day ago. After that I climbed to the wall. I met only 3 other people because it was close to the closing time. I walked from Jaffa Gate to the Damascus Gate and I really enjoyed the views from the wall. It felt like a secret place to watch people's life in the old town from above. Damascus Gate exit was closed because of renovations so I needed to walk little bit back to New Gate to get down from the wall.
As my feet were hurting from all the walking of that day I decided just go back to Olga's place. Later I went to eat first time in the Kosher McDonald's and I went to buy also a pizza because I was really hungry.
I didn't even noticed the point where we crossed the border but soon the bus stopped at big junction. Some of use where little confused if this was the last stop and asked it from the driver who said that this is the last stop. So we all left the bus and then everybody disappeared in different directions. I was little confused where to go but then I noticed otherside of the junction a familiar street name from the guide books (Pope Paul VI street). I started to walk along it and the streets were busy with people opening their shops and going to work and school. I passed Lutheran Christmas Church and I came to more older part of the Bethlehem. Soon I was at the Mager Square and the Church of the Nativity was standing before me. There was still Christmas decorations around the square. I then went to inside to the church. There was service still going and the priests (or monks) were singing and incense was smelling. Because the priests were inside of the Grotto of the Nativity their singing was echoing mysteriously around the church. Very mystic atmosphere. After the priests left somewhere through a secret door I went to see the grotto myself. Smell of incense was very strong and I had hard time breathing. I watched some time how people kissed the spot where Jesus was born and then walked around the church complex. When big Russian tourist group arrived I decided to leave.
I walked back to the Pope Paul VI street and decided to buy real Palestinian scarf from Palestine. I suck at haggling so I was totally ripped of but it was worth of it - I got nice tea and sweets. But after that I was so low on money that I needed to go back to Jerusalem. I walked back to the big junction and from there I started to walk towards north along Hebron Road. Soon I came to the wall between Palestine and Israel and I started to follow it. There was no other people around so I took pictures of the graffities without any disturbance. At one point I met 2 local guys who wanted me to take picture of them because they wanted to represent Palestine. Couple times the wall went behind houses or fences so I needed to walk along streets near it. The wall was at the same time a beautiful and sad experience. I advice people to go see it. Then I arrived to the border check point which was full of taxis with their drivers offering me rides to anywhere in the West Bank. I kindly ignored them and I walked to border check. First 100 metres made me feel like I was going to jail and soon I was speaking to border control people through black glasses so I didn't even see where they were. One girl checked my passport quickly and then I was back in Israel.
There was big line of mini buses (sherut) number 24 waiting for people going to Jerusalem. I had just enough money to go back - it was stupid thing to go to Bethlehem with little money. The bus left when it was almost full. It took more people inside on other bus stops so it was very full when I left it at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. I went to find falafel from old town and I met Olga and Marcin there. They were going to an internet cafe and Olga said she was going to come back home late this night also. After our conversation I went to a tourist information office to buy tickets for a walk on top of the old town walls. In the office I met one of the Israeli guys from the bar. He still remembered the Finnish phrases I taught him a day ago. After that I climbed to the wall. I met only 3 other people because it was close to the closing time. I walked from Jaffa Gate to the Damascus Gate and I really enjoyed the views from the wall. It felt like a secret place to watch people's life in the old town from above. Damascus Gate exit was closed because of renovations so I needed to walk little bit back to New Gate to get down from the wall.
As my feet were hurting from all the walking of that day I decided just go back to Olga's place. Later I went to eat first time in the Kosher McDonald's and I went to buy also a pizza because I was really hungry.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Jerusalem - day 2
After 3 hours of bad sleeping I woke up and took my luggage to reception. I bought some breakfast from a bakery next to the hostel and started to walk towards Jerusalem's old town. I came to the Jaffa Gate little before 7.30am and Marcin came soon after me. Even though this wasn't his first time in Jerusalem he hasn't visited the Temple Mount before. We walked through Jewish quarter to the Western Wall or Wailing Wall. Because it was early morning the stalls and shops were just opening up and only few people were on the move. But at the Western Wall there was already lots of people praying. I was little surprised of the security check before the wall but that's the case everywhere here. We watched the people for short time and then went to the bridge which lead up to the Temple Mount. Everything not Islamic is forbidden at Temple Mount so they scan your bags to find if you have crosses, stars, Bibles, Torahs or other religious staff in your bag. When we entered Temple Mount the sun was shining brightly - it was going to be a warm day. I was surprised how green it was around the Mount. Al-Aqsa mosque didn't look any special but the crown jewel Dome of the Rock was magnificent. It had lots of little buildings around it that I didn't know before. You could see the Mount of Olives from the Mount. Around the Mount were groups of older men reading probably Quran, like we have Bible groups. There was only few tourists around, some Americans had sneaked their Bible inside and were reading some chapter from it. Although you can only enter the Temple Mount from one point you can exict anywhere.
After we left from Temple Mount we walked back to Jaffa Gate through the Armenian Quarter where was not much to see. At the gate I said goodbye to Marcin who went back to sleep. I continued my walk by going towards Christian Quarter. I soon found myself next to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There was lots of tourists groups around it. Mostly Russians and Americans but also lots of Spanish-speaking people, Africans and nuns who looked very enthusiastic to be there. It was dark inside the church. I followed the stations of the cross inside to get a feeling of the church. It was so crazy to see how people where so into just for being there. They were kissing the Stone of Unction, nuns where jumping of happines, the line to get inside to the Holy Sepulchre was long and everybody where making cross signs. These are things that my Lutheran mind can't understand. Incense was smelling powerfully everywhere. I walked around the whole church. It had little mystic atmosphere because of the darkness. When I left from there I noticed the Lutheran Church of Redeemer was located next to it. Inside the Lutheran church there was only Japanese couple with me. I had little familiar feeling when I was sitting there, all the churches in Finland look just same inside.
As it wasn't even noon yet I decided to go see the Mount of Olives. I walked through the Muslim Quarter and got little lost because I found myself from the Western Wall. One of the reasons I love Jerusalem's old town is the fact that it's very maze-like. I bought some falafel to eat and then finally found the Lions Gate. The walk from the old town to the Gardens of Gethsemane wasn't that long but I got probably 20 taxi ride offers to anywhere in West Bank. Gardens of Gethsemane consists of few old olive treest. Next to it is the Church of All Nations. There was somebody singing in Spanish and it sounded very beautiful. I sat down to listen it for a short time. Then I started my walk up to the Mount. After few minutes of walking I realised how stupid idea it was. The hill is very steep. I don't recommend walking for the people with bad health. There was little garden with viewing point little before the top. As it was said everywhere that you should be careful when going alone to the Mount of Olives, I was very surprised to find little groups of Japanese kids running around without adults. I ended to some square where Japanese kids' bus was located. I noticed that churches located on the top where further than I thought so I just walked to the viewing point. The viewing point is located on top of the Jewish cemetary and it has amazing views over the city. And up there I experienced something very beautiful. Clock hit noon and that's is the one of the praying times for Muslims. So all the mosques put their prayer calls on and their sounds were echoing around the city. It sounded amazing and it was very peaceful moment. At the viewing point there was only Russian family (and camel!) with me who were also amazed of the prayer calls. That was very unforgettable moment.
After resting my feet for a while watching the magnificent view I started to walk back down. I walked through the Jewish cemetary and I was shocked how much destroyed graves there were. Back down I quickly visited tomb of the Virgin Mary before it closed for afternoon break. I walked back to the city centre walking around southside of the old town. I started to feel very tired so I went straight to the hostel and then I called to Olga. She was still sleeping after our night out. I came to her place and went straight to sleep myself too. I woke up around 6pm and I noticed that Olga had left somewhere. But I found her soon from her roommates room. She was going out with him but I didn't want to join them, I was still so tired. I went to find something to eat, then I came back, surfed in the internet and went back to sleep. I didn't even woke up when Olga came back.
After we left from Temple Mount we walked back to Jaffa Gate through the Armenian Quarter where was not much to see. At the gate I said goodbye to Marcin who went back to sleep. I continued my walk by going towards Christian Quarter. I soon found myself next to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There was lots of tourists groups around it. Mostly Russians and Americans but also lots of Spanish-speaking people, Africans and nuns who looked very enthusiastic to be there. It was dark inside the church. I followed the stations of the cross inside to get a feeling of the church. It was so crazy to see how people where so into just for being there. They were kissing the Stone of Unction, nuns where jumping of happines, the line to get inside to the Holy Sepulchre was long and everybody where making cross signs. These are things that my Lutheran mind can't understand. Incense was smelling powerfully everywhere. I walked around the whole church. It had little mystic atmosphere because of the darkness. When I left from there I noticed the Lutheran Church of Redeemer was located next to it. Inside the Lutheran church there was only Japanese couple with me. I had little familiar feeling when I was sitting there, all the churches in Finland look just same inside.
As it wasn't even noon yet I decided to go see the Mount of Olives. I walked through the Muslim Quarter and got little lost because I found myself from the Western Wall. One of the reasons I love Jerusalem's old town is the fact that it's very maze-like. I bought some falafel to eat and then finally found the Lions Gate. The walk from the old town to the Gardens of Gethsemane wasn't that long but I got probably 20 taxi ride offers to anywhere in West Bank. Gardens of Gethsemane consists of few old olive treest. Next to it is the Church of All Nations. There was somebody singing in Spanish and it sounded very beautiful. I sat down to listen it for a short time. Then I started my walk up to the Mount. After few minutes of walking I realised how stupid idea it was. The hill is very steep. I don't recommend walking for the people with bad health. There was little garden with viewing point little before the top. As it was said everywhere that you should be careful when going alone to the Mount of Olives, I was very surprised to find little groups of Japanese kids running around without adults. I ended to some square where Japanese kids' bus was located. I noticed that churches located on the top where further than I thought so I just walked to the viewing point. The viewing point is located on top of the Jewish cemetary and it has amazing views over the city. And up there I experienced something very beautiful. Clock hit noon and that's is the one of the praying times for Muslims. So all the mosques put their prayer calls on and their sounds were echoing around the city. It sounded amazing and it was very peaceful moment. At the viewing point there was only Russian family (and camel!) with me who were also amazed of the prayer calls. That was very unforgettable moment.
After resting my feet for a while watching the magnificent view I started to walk back down. I walked through the Jewish cemetary and I was shocked how much destroyed graves there were. Back down I quickly visited tomb of the Virgin Mary before it closed for afternoon break. I walked back to the city centre walking around southside of the old town. I started to feel very tired so I went straight to the hostel and then I called to Olga. She was still sleeping after our night out. I came to her place and went straight to sleep myself too. I woke up around 6pm and I noticed that Olga had left somewhere. But I found her soon from her roommates room. She was going out with him but I didn't want to join them, I was still so tired. I went to find something to eat, then I came back, surfed in the internet and went back to sleep. I didn't even woke up when Olga came back.
Jerusalem - day 1
We overslept and left Jacob's house in a rush. He left me at Haifa's Southern bus terminal on his way to work. He was already late from work so we said quickly goodbye and then I went to look for a bus to Jerusalem. Bus trip from Haifa to Jerusalem lasted only 1,5 hours. These short journeys make you realise how small this country is. Jerusalem's Central Bus Station was kind of a maze but my first sight there was a blue-coloured Kosher McDonald's. That and all the conservative Jews made me realise that I'm now in maybe the most holiest city in the world. Street outside the station station was in chaos because they were building new tram line. I had checked that my hostel is about 2 kilometre walk from the station so I started to walk towards it.
When I found the place where my hostel was supposed to be I started to feel little lost. Around me was only Ethiopian embassy, some government buildings and printing workshop. When I was looking my map some guys came out from the workshop and asked if I need any help. I told them I was looking for my hostel. They said there was some hostels little but further down the road. I continued my walk to there but when I saw Jerusalem's old town I knew I was in the wrong place. The hostel was supposed be 1 km away from the old town. So I continued my walk up and down the road and I didn't see any hostels. So I decided to go seek help again from the printing workshop. One of the guys who helped me before was working near the door and again helped me. He checked the exact location from the internet. Turns out that the hostel was only 1 km away from the bus station which meant that I passed it long time ago. Damn you Google Maps! I thanked the guy and he invited me to visit later the workshop.
After walking around for hours I finally found my hostel. It was like heaven to lay on the soft bed. But I was hungry so I went to look for something to eat. The hostel is located near the Mahane Yehuda market so I went there. I found a bakery and bought a piece of vegetable-cheese pie. It was a delicious! After eating I went for a walk. I walked around Russian Compound and went to see where's the shortest way to old town.
As I didn't had found anybody to host me I needed to stay in hostel. But there was a meeting of local couchsurfers that evening in a bar close to the hostel. I decided to go there to find out if there was somebody who could host me for the rest of my stay. When I came there was only one guy but soon there was probably around 15 people. I had really nice time talking with this local girl and after she left home I had a conservation with this very nice guy who was working in a tourist office. Then one of the girls, called Olga, heard that I didn't have host so she offered her couch to me for 2 nights. I agreed with Olga that I will come to her place tomorrow afternoon. When more people left home I noticed that I wasn't the only foreign in the table. Polish Marcin was also visiting Jerusalem. In the end there was only me, Marcin, Olga, Marcin's local friend and one of the local guys left. We had very nice talks and lots of beer. And then the bartender gave us free shots of arak. I really like the taste of arak, it's similar to Finnish salmiakki drinks. But when the bar was closing we were super drunk. I promised with Marcin that I will see him at 7.30am at Jaffa Gate and then we will go to see the Temple Mount. So I had some 3 hours time to sleep before that.
When I found the place where my hostel was supposed to be I started to feel little lost. Around me was only Ethiopian embassy, some government buildings and printing workshop. When I was looking my map some guys came out from the workshop and asked if I need any help. I told them I was looking for my hostel. They said there was some hostels little but further down the road. I continued my walk to there but when I saw Jerusalem's old town I knew I was in the wrong place. The hostel was supposed be 1 km away from the old town. So I continued my walk up and down the road and I didn't see any hostels. So I decided to go seek help again from the printing workshop. One of the guys who helped me before was working near the door and again helped me. He checked the exact location from the internet. Turns out that the hostel was only 1 km away from the bus station which meant that I passed it long time ago. Damn you Google Maps! I thanked the guy and he invited me to visit later the workshop.
After walking around for hours I finally found my hostel. It was like heaven to lay on the soft bed. But I was hungry so I went to look for something to eat. The hostel is located near the Mahane Yehuda market so I went there. I found a bakery and bought a piece of vegetable-cheese pie. It was a delicious! After eating I went for a walk. I walked around Russian Compound and went to see where's the shortest way to old town.
As I didn't had found anybody to host me I needed to stay in hostel. But there was a meeting of local couchsurfers that evening in a bar close to the hostel. I decided to go there to find out if there was somebody who could host me for the rest of my stay. When I came there was only one guy but soon there was probably around 15 people. I had really nice time talking with this local girl and after she left home I had a conservation with this very nice guy who was working in a tourist office. Then one of the girls, called Olga, heard that I didn't have host so she offered her couch to me for 2 nights. I agreed with Olga that I will come to her place tomorrow afternoon. When more people left home I noticed that I wasn't the only foreign in the table. Polish Marcin was also visiting Jerusalem. In the end there was only me, Marcin, Olga, Marcin's local friend and one of the local guys left. We had very nice talks and lots of beer. And then the bartender gave us free shots of arak. I really like the taste of arak, it's similar to Finnish salmiakki drinks. But when the bar was closing we were super drunk. I promised with Marcin that I will see him at 7.30am at Jaffa Gate and then we will go to see the Temple Mount. So I had some 3 hours time to sleep before that.
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