Day 16 Tourist Tips for the Old City

1. Best place to change money is at the post office! There is one in the Old City near Jaffa Gate, next to the Christian information Centre.

2. The Lutheran Church has a high tower, lots of steps to climb in a narrow stairwell, but 7.5 shekels for a 360 view of the Old City. It closes at 5pm. A pair of pigeons are unwelcomed squatters of the tower, but they are quite photogenic if you care for a picture of the feathery couple.

3. Ask for the price before you pick up anything. Do not buy anything on your first day, and do not bother shopping around the Holy Sepulcher (the closer to any of the pilgrim sites, the higher they charge the tourists). Most souvenirs that can be purchased at 5 shekels (bookmarks, pouches, bracelets, ice cream…) will get marked up significantly at these popular places. If you don’t like the price and they get aggressive, feel free to run. Literally run, like the Muslim lady whom I saw refuse the shop keeper with such impressive pizzazz that it dignifies her unapologetic disregard for grace. I spontaneously clapped for her as she ran past me. She replied with a mixed but friendly look as if to tell me, “stay away from that store.” I laugh because she is not the only one whom I saw do that, and I have learned that it is perfectly acceptable.

4. Beware scammers. For example, if you buy a postcard and they ask you if you need stamps, say no unless you have checked on to know exactly how much you need, and have no more chances of catching the physical postoffice while it is open. Otherwise, they will slyly mark up the price to more than twice the stamps’ worth and unabashedly tell you fanciful tales to dampen your suspicion. Check that you have the correct amount in stamps and/or change before leaving the store! You can probably tell that I paid a price for this mistake T.T but it hurt my pride more than my wallet: Since my interest was in chatting up the shop keeper, I bought things in small amounts to maximize contact with locals and minimize damage if any. You do you.

5. Visit the museum opposite Christ Church Jerusalem to see 3D models of the historic city! The models themselves are historic artifacts themselves.

6. Visit St Ann’s Church to be in French territory, to see the garden, to use the washroom, to sing at the great acoustic dome, or you know, to see ruins of the Bethesda pool.

7. Get used to having kids wanting to take pictures with you if you look anything remotely like a Korean!