Signs

There's not that much traffic in the Old City of Jersualem, as cars aren't allowed on the majority of streets. But a few signs here and there that are interesting. Moreso if you knew what they were actually saying, of course.

Most of them are good about providing several languages, with Hebrew and Arabic and English most commonly printed on everything you see. All of the Jewish people speak Hebrew, and the great majority speak English as well. All of the Palestinians speak Arabic, and many of them speak English as well. For the most part, it is not difficult to be understood in Jersualem or the rest of the country.

As a citizen of the world and empathic person, it is certainly also wise to learn some basic vocabulary of the native language as a traveller. A "Good Morning" or "Thank You" and a few other simple phrases go a long way in endearing you to most anyone you talk to, as it does in just about every country. A sign that you are willing to make the effort to enter the world of the people you are now in, as opposed to exhibiting a more elitist attitude of, "Hey, dude, why don't you folks speak English like normal people, cuz' you gotta understand me."



Had lunch at this pizza place yesterday. A cheap slice of veggie pizza, with what tasted more like goat cheese than mozzarella. Treasure your Pizza Hut and Dominos at home.

A political statment in the street sign from the Jewish Quarter of the city, below. Some politically minded Jewish folks run around and cover up the Arabic names on the street signs. Our guide, Rabbi David Sandmel told us what the sticker, but I apologize for forgetting what it says. Just one more way for one group to try to put in a dig at the ohter's expense. Unbelievable.