#biking in jerusalem

[eretzyisrael]

Biking in Jerusalem was recommended by TIME magazine as one of 50 extraordinary travel ideas for 2023 on its third annual list of the World’s Greatest Places.

“While Jesus may have traveled to Jerusalem by donkey, Solomon by mule, and the Prophet Muhammad by a winged Buraq, thousands of years later the holy city has plenty of other methods of transportation to get around, from bus to light rail to train. And today, there’s a way to see this ancient city from a new, unexpected perspective,” TIME correspondent Jessica Shaw writes.

“Anyone comfortable on two wheels can now rent a bike and cycle along the newly opened Kerem Tunnel, part of the Jerusalem Ring bike path, a 42-km route that allows visitors to circle the holy city at their own pace, starting, for example, at the Biblical Zoo in the western part of the city and finishing at the Jaffa Gate in the east.”

The tunnel, she notes, “connects two parts of the Jerusalem Ring: on one end lies Ein Lavan, a spring dating back to the Iron Age, and on the other, Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, which has become a foodie and art-gallery hot spot. Those in the mood for a more rigorous afternoon of touristing can work their way to the windy streets of the Old City for 360-degree views found at the recently renovated Tower of David Jerusalem Museum.”

[drsonnet]

Ms Jones, who battled fog, hail and rain on her ride, said she was "delighted" to have completed the challenge.

Lewisham woman, 82, bikes up Mont Ventoux to raise Gaza aid funds

Lewisham woman, 82, bikes up Mont Ventoux to raise Gaza aid funds (bbc.com)

[padawan-historian]

(1) A Palestinian woman picking grapes

(2) Rabeha al-Husayni poses with her teacher at Schmidt-Schule (1930)

(3) Two women work to harvest cucumber crops in Birket Ramadan, also called Naher al-Faleq (June 1940)

(4) Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (1915)

(5) Girls waving from the Barajneh Palestinian Refugee Camp in Lebanon (1980- 1985)

(6) Graduates from the Friends School in Ramallah (1940)

(7) Abla Dajani with her bike in front of her family home in Lower Baq'a (1947)

(8) Christmas at the Christmas Herald Orphanage in Jerusalem (1919)

(9) A Bedouin family pose at the Tomb of Lazarus located near Jerusalem (1890s)

(10) A group of students in Ramah (1915)

Sources: Palestinian Museum, Interactive Encyclopedia of the Palestinian Question, British Mandate Jerusalemites Photo Library, and G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection

[sunnycanvas]

Hello, could you make one where Balwin's girlfriend is from the future and due to destiny, she is in Balwin's time and they both fall in love and she manages to take Balwin to the future where they both get married and spend Christmas with their in-laws and they want it.

It was late evening in the city with snow beginning to fall. "Darling are you sure you will be able to handle it" "The Christmas tree is too tall". Baldwin enthusiastically said"Don't worry, I am strong now thanks to you" "I can now easily handle manual labour" I smiled and shaked my head. Baldwin loved to do manual labour. Especially since he got his strength back but I couldn't help but look concern. "There" he said smiling. "Now quickly switch on the light" . I quickly ran towards the switch not before yelling a warning "Be careful with wires" Baldwin frowned and said "I know love, besides they aren't that dangerous" . "I guess you are the one who needs a professional help" "What do you say shall we hire professional helper and lie to them saying that you need learning about surroundings since you have amnesia" Baldwin IV smirked teasingly. While I flushed in embarrassment remembering our earlier days. Just then a memory striked me and I began laughing. Baldwin IV confused asked "What's so funny". His confused expression reminded me of earlier days and I laughed even more. "Remember how you used to be scared of cars and bikes" "It was cute how tightly you held my hand insisting we cross the road together and how you would try to sheild me with your body as if ready to fight for me whenever the vehicle was approaching it was cute". Baldwin IV shocked and embarassed that I would bring up the memory quickly got down the ladder and chased after me. He almost succeeded in catching me until the door bell rang "Must be my parents let me open it quick"

I had been setting food on the table with the help of my mom. As I put down the Christmas pie I thought of calling my husband, Baldwin IV for dinner but decided to change my mind once I saw him staring outside the window sadly. My heart pained knowing how much he longed his home. To ease his pain I promised to take him to Jerusalem for our next upcoming trip. I can still easily recall Baldwin IV 's face how he was shocked and fascinated when he got to know current situation of his homeland.

"So that's it, that's how the story ends" "What did I fight for, to everything to go in vain" "I wish it didn't end up how it has"

I quietly put down the Christmas pie as I watched him staring outside the window. Making note to myself to call him bit later afterwards. My mother who bought freshly cooked turkey while placing it on the table noticing my pain decided to distract me by conversation said "You know our family has a history of time traveling" "Some of our ancestors take your grandma for example had also fallen in love with someone from past but this is the first time some one was to future" "People in our family tree who refused to leave their significant other settled in past with them" "Not all had happy ending of course" "Some severely regretted their decision and came back to future"

I closed my eyes sadly and recalled how my grandma fell in love with a king and married him but he cheated on her and expected her to endure so she left. Luckily she found grandpa and has been happily married since

"You know dear please don't take offence but I am suprised, how much your significant lover was willing to fight for you" "It's rare to find someone who would be willing to go this far" "Make sure not to loose him"

I smiled and said "I know mother" "I too love him very much" "I am glad I was able to cure him thanks to medical treatment here".

My mother looked at my husband and saw him sadly staring outside the window said "He seems to miss his home"

"He sure does"

My mom patted my shoulder and went to call my husband. Baldwin IV smiled moment our eyes met. "My love" he said. I smiled and proceeded to kiss him but he said"Stop your mother is here staring at us". Both my mom and I laughed at his bashful expression. As we settled down Baldwin IV asked about my father

"He will be late and asked us to proceed without him" "By the way you both have done marvelous job in decorating the house". Baldwin IV smiled and said "Couldn't have done without your daughters help". Suddenly Baldwin IV expression became sad again as he said"I wish my nephew was here though, he would definitely love being here, I miss him so much". "Things have changed a lot, except for the snow which remains same" "It's good that I have something with me from the past " I put my hand on his hand squeezing it to reassure him. Baldwin IV noticing my expression squeezed my hand back and smiled at me to reassure me that I am fine.

"Siting on dinner table without switching on the Christmas lights". My dad yelled as he quickly sat down on table holding bottle of wine. "And completely forgot about wine, no Christmas celebration is complete without wine". "I see my daughter has done marvelous job in worsening you" I scoffed at my dad's playful remark as Baldwin IV laughed. Baldwin IV smirked and teasingly said "She sure has"

"Hey" I retorated as I playfully punched him. My parents smiled as they watched our banter. "I couldn't ask for a better son in law" said my dad proudly. "Me too" commented my mom happily. Baldwin IV grew shy after hearing this and I took a chance and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hey"

"This is payback". I happily retorated. "Now" my mom commanded sternly. "Eat your food or else it will get cold". Baldwin IV hearing this said "First let us pray and thank our lord". My parents and I immediately closed our eyes. Baldwin IV gently leaned toward me and whispered "and thanking him to bless me with such a beautiful wife" and slowly kissed my ear lobe making me blush. After we were done with prayers. Baldwin IV raised his glass and said "To my homeland and for my dear nephew, sister and mother who couldn't join me here today , Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas" We cheered back and clicked our glasses happily enjoying our food. With the snow getting making it dark quickly. Glowed our beautiful house in yellow during Christmas filled with cheers and laughter

[shlufim]

Varda Haramati z"l, 81 years old, was murdered by hamas terrorists in the massacre of October 7th, 2023. She was shot in the head in her home in Kibbutz Re'im. Varda was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, girlfriend. May she rest in peace. May her memory be a blessing.

"She was like a movie star in both appearance and the radiance she exuded. Kind, loving, and compassionate, she was a soulmate to many, especially her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Meeting grandma left an indelible mark, much like a warm and enduring memory. She was a resilient fighter, a lover of life, a dedicated patriot, and a world traveler. She worked at the kibbutz factory until her last day, and loved starting every morning with a bike ride, visiting friends, shopping in Netivot, and enjoying plays and movies. She epitomized the spirit of an extraordinary woman." -Itamar Mizrahi, Varda's grandson (The Jerusalem Post)

[intersectionalpraxis]

70 years between the photos. The late Jerusalemite Abla Dajani and her cousin's bike stand in front of her family home where she was born in 1930. Her family was expelled and Jewish settlers occupied her home in 1948, in the neighborhood of Baq'a in what became West Jerusalem [source: Hanine Hassan on X, formerly known as X. 11/30/23.]

[i-am-aprl]

70 years between the pictures.

The late Jerusalemite Abla Dajani and her cousin’s bike stand in front of her family home where she was born in 1930. Her family was expelled and Jewish settlers occupied the home in 1948, in the neighborhood of Baq‘a in what became West Jerusalem.

[aestheticvh]

70 years between the pictures.

The late Jerusalemite Abla Dajani and her cousin’s bike stand in front of her family home where she was born in 1930. Her family was expelled and Jewish settlers occupied the home in 1948, in the neighborhood of Baq‘a in what became West Jerusalem. 🇵🇸🍉

[jordanianroyals]

King Abdullah II, along with his family, is spending his summer holiday in the U.S. as he posed with a restaurant owner in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California on 9 July 2023. The royals were treated pancakes, a treat on the house, Katy's Place, where the king had eaten twice before.

Randy Bernett, owner of the Carmel brunch spot, Katy’s Place, was expecting a normal Sunday breakfast rush when he was surprised to see an old friend walk through the doors – the King of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein.

“When he came in, he was the last one in and I thought, ‘my God, he’s back!’” said Bernett. “I had to look twice because he is 15 years older – so am I.”

The king’s recent visit marks the third time Jordan’s head of state has dined at Katy’s Place. Bernett said the last time King Abdullah visited his restaurant was nearly 15 years ago, when he pulled up in a Harley Davidson with a group of friends and royal security.

“The second time, he was back on again on his Harley,” Bernett said. “(This) time, he was there with his family, his kids, all on BMW motorcycles.”

An avid motorcycle fan, King Abdullah was likely in town for the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Laguna Seca Raceway over the weekend.

Following suit with his previous visits, King Abdullah ordered pancakes. But his breakfast was on the house, as Bernett said he bought the king and his family their meal.

“I (am) very appreciative of all the good work he’s done to keep the peace in the Middle East and to provide a shelter for so many refugees,” Bernett added.

King Abdullah met with President Biden and congressional leaders in February to discuss the Israel-Palenstinian conflict in Jerusalem and to thank them for U.S. financial aid.

Bernett admitted that he has “no idea” why the king is so fond of Katy’s Place, but said it may have something to do with the relaxed atmosphere and low-profile he is able to enjoy while dining.

“He’s just one of our customers and we don’t treat him any differently,” Bernett said. “He’s spent a lot of time in this country and I think he likes our countrymen and he likes our informal way of being. I think he prefers it to all the confident pageantry of being treated like a king.”

Bernett said the king was casually dressed in a T-shirt and had left his motorcycle leathers outside with his bike.

When Bernett bid King Abdullah goodbye, he said the king gave him a special forces knife designed for his royal Jordanian special forces.

Bernett got a photo with the restaurant’s royal regular before the king rode off and said diners might one day see the photo added to the wall decor of Katy’s Place.

“I like the man very much. (He’s) very warm and friendly and recognized me from the distant past,” Bernett said. “I’ve been the owner of Katy’s now for 34 years, so I do remember people, but I certainly remember the first head of state to visit my restaurant.” (x)

[mariacallous]

Tunisia has largely moved on from the May 9 killing of five people at the El Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba by a National Guardsman. The event’s prominence on the country’s news sites has diminished and its claim on Tunisian conversation has largely been ceded to the other items competing for space at the national table.

On-air criticism of police recruitment methods by radio hosts Haythem El Mekki and Elyes Gharbi swiftly resulted in a legal complaint from the security services and, essentially, an end to discussion.

Thus far, Tunisia has steadfastly refused to publicly address the anti-Semitic nature of the attack, preferring instead to characterize it as “criminal.” However, the fact that the Jewish tourists and locals gathering to celebrate the festival of Lag B’Omer were specifically targeted by the attacker, 30-year-old National Guardsman Wissam Khazri, is hard to dispute.

After killing his colleague, Khazri donned body armor and rode 12 miles by quad bike to attack the pilgrims at the synagogue. However, beyond the arrest of four conspirators, his motivation for doing so, or details of any radicalization, remains unknown.

Responding to the murders, Germany and France characterized the attack as anti-Semitic, with Paris going even further and launching a terrorism probe into the killing of one of its citizens—a dual-national who was among the victims.

For Tunisian President Kais Saied’s government, the story was simply too messy. This year’s tourism revenues, which are vital following the uncertainty surrounding the hard-pressed country’s latest bailout from the International Monetary Fund, represent one of the few economic bright spots on a dark financial horizon. That security around the synagogue appeared to have failed—the attack was undertaken by one of the island’s supposed defenders—despite the massive expense and planning involved was also pushed to the sidelines.

However, underpinning all of this was the identity of the targeted victims and the deliberate and premeditated assault upon the Jewish community.

The Jewish presence in Tunisia reaches back almost 2,000 years. Over the centuries, through occupation by Phoenicians and Romans, conquest by Arabs, and colonization by Ottomans and the French, Tunisia’s Jews have maintained an unbroken thread linking past and present Tunisia. However, since World War II and the establishment of Israel in 1948, their numbers have dwindled. Pressure at home and opportunities overseas have reduced the population from around 100,000 in 1948 to less than 1,800 today.

Of all the Jewish communities that once dotted northern Tunisia, only that on the island of Djerba remains. The synagogue there, whose foundations are said to date back to Jerusalem’s Temple of Solomon, remains a cornerstone of not simply Tunisian Jewish identity, but Jewish identity as a whole.

The reasons for this declining population are rooted in recent history. Tunisia’s steadfast support of the Palestinian cause, a matter of profound faith for many, has embedded itself across all levels of society. From 1982 to 1985, Tunisia hosted the headquarters of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in a suburb just south of the capital, Tunis, until an Israeli air campaign essentially wiped it from the map, inspiring one of the first isolated assaults on the synagogue on Djerba by way of reprisal.

Many Tunisians are acutely aware of every injustice visited upon the Palestinian population. That, along with years of unflinching official opposition to the Israeli state, has almost certainly combined to make life in the country uncomfortable for many Tunisian Jews. By way of evidence, we only need to look to the spikes in emigration to both France and Israel that followed the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Whatever some may say, it is clear that what happens in the Middle East carries consequences for Tunisia’s Jews and how they’re regarded by their compatriots.

In the wake of the synagogue attack last month, one Twitter user achieved temporary notoriety after discovering that one of the victims, Aviel Hadad, was to be buried in Israel. Hadad had held dual citizenship with Israel and—in much the same way as many Muslims ask to be buried in Mecca, without opining on Saudi politics—had asked to be interred there. Nevertheless, one Tunisian blogger called for Hadad’s Tunisian family to be expelled from the country and any officials who knew of his wishes to be prosecuted.

A prominent journalist, on discovering that a victim of the attack held an Israeli passport, asked if the country was mourning Zionists. Across the country’s ubiquitous radio channels, a major source of news and information for many, conversations on Tunisia’s attitudes to Jews came to be almost exclusively couched in discussions on the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, with the fate and welfare of Tunisian citizens judged by the actions of a distant state that few had any connections with.

Unsurprisingly, the president has proven no exception. On a visit to the Tunis suburb of Ariana the weekend after the attack, Saied rejected accusations of anti-Semitism, recalling his own family’s history of offering shelter to Tunisia’s Jews during the 1942-43 Nazi occupation of the country, when Tunisia’s Jews faced extreme persecution. From there, he demonstrated little difficulty in segueing effortlessly into a discussion on Israeli attacks on Palestine. Their relevance to Tunisia’s Jews was not made clear.

“Despite the fact that most of the Jews of Tunisia have never set foot in Israel and that their homeland has been Tunisia for centuries, they are taken as scapegoats for actions committed in another part of the world,” said Joachim Lellouche, the son of Jacob Lellouche, a prominent member of the Tunisia’s Jewish community. The younger Lellouche, who grew up spending time in both France and Tunisia, told FP, “Most of the Jews in the world feel close to Israel—because of their ancestral history; that does not mean that they support the internal policy of the government.”

Lellouche, who spent his childhood shuttling between France and his father’s busy restaurant in La Goulette, a port town near Tunis, recalled the kind of prejudice his family encountered. “It’s ridiculous, but there’s this thing about Jews smelling of the dead,” he said. “Around 15, maybe 20 years ago, my father told us about a [Tunisian] man who came up and sniffed him. The thing is, that was a poor and uneducated man. Now, since the revolution, mass media and fake news, those attitudes are everywhere.”

Lellouche has seen the consequences of Tunisia’s anti-Semitism. In 2015, his father’s kosher restaurant, Mama Lily, a mainstay of cultural life in the city, closed due to anti-Semitic threats.

“Tunisia’s Jews are always held to a higher account,” Amine Snoussi, a Tunisian political analyst, said. “People always expect them to prove their loyalty to Tunisia and to reject Israel before they’ll even engage with them. No one else has to deal with that.”

“Jews, or minorities even, don’t really fit with [Saied’s] agenda,” Snoussi continued. “He doesn’t have time for them. He deals in a very utopian vision. Anything that contradicts that—such as anti-Semitism or the recent attacks on the country’s undocumented black migrants—has to be rejected and denied.”

In Snoussi’s opinion, Saied’s entire reaction to the synagogue attack has been shaped, not so much by any sense of anti-Semitism, but by his almost exclusively populist mindset. “He’s sought to frame this in terms of Palestine,” Snoussi said. “That fits with his ideas of what the country thinks, as well as the wider Arab nationalist world. He doesn’t think about Tunisia’s Jews. He doesn’t think about minorities. He doesn’t care how linking them so clearly to Israel puts them at risk.”

That attitude is causing real damage. In early May, the University of Manouba in Tunis announced it would revoke the title of professor emeritus from Habib Kazdaghli, a Muslim-born historian of Tunisia’s Jewish traditions who had attended a French conference alongside Israelis.

Hardline attitudes to Israel appear hardwired into entire strata of Tunisian society. “It’s not just me,” Kazdaghli told Foreign Policy via a translator. “It goes further. Tunisia’s wrestlers and tennis players have all been accused of normalizing relations with Israel through sporting events.

“I’ve been studying this for 25 years,” he said. “This bothers them. Every time they do this”—referring to the implicit barriers placed in the way of his research by both government and academia—“they’re saying they’re anti-Semitic without actually saying they’re anti-Semitic.”

Beyond his own academic specialism, Kazdaghli has grounds to speak with authority on the topic. He was on the bus outside El Ghriba synagogue when the May attack took place.

“Now when something happens, the state doesn’t address it,” he said. “I don’t think it’s anti-Semitism on their part. It’s more about being scared of even addressing the issue, and that’s worse.”

[dobbyslifesucks]

Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James confirmed for Lyonesse at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Directed by Ian Rickson (Jerusalem, Uncle Vanya), and written by new play by Penelope Skinner (The Village Bike, Fresh Meat) will play the Harold Pinter Theatre from 17 October to 23 December 2023.

[illegally-blind-and-deaf]

15 Questions Tag

Why? Because I'm bored

Are you named after anyone?

I'm named after a biblical city near Jerusalem and my middle name is named after my grandmother and Anne of Green Gables :) (sadly not with an e, but that might change when I'm 18)

When was the last time you cried?

I think on Wednesday during my psychology appointment. We were talking about things.

Do you have kids?

No but I want them. When I'm older, obviously. I know I sound crazy because raising kids is hard (I know, my sister who has a baby lives with me) but there's something so wholesome and precious about them that makes me want to be a mother. I love children.

Do you use sarcasm?

Me? Use sarcasm? Now when would I use that.

I'm Australian, of course I use sarcasm, that is a key cornerstone in Australian humour.

What's the first thing you notice about people?

I think their faces or how they interact with people. I can generally judge whether or not I'll get along with someone by how they interact with other people.

What's your eye colour?

They used to be a really dark brown when I was little and now they're a grassy forest emerald green?

Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings. Or bittersweet endings where maybe it hasn't gone right but they still move on and begin to heal.

Any special talents?

I'm weirdly good at accents?

Where were you born?

Sydneyyyyyy

What are your hobbies?

Reading, writing, dancing to jazz in the kitchen only to turn around and see my sister laughing at me, music, procrastinating and thinking.

I do a lot of thinking.

Do you have any pets?

Two cats

What sports have you played/do play?

I do ballet and I like to run. I did some mountain bike riding too before my dad decidedly get rid of my bike because it was old and dying

How tall are you?

No clue, somewhere around 168cm or something (idk it in feet use Google to convert it or something)

Favourite subject in school?

French, Extension English or Modern History

Dream Job?

Author and historian. I'd especially love to work in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg Russia

Open tags people!

[oristernprivatetour]

Reasons Why Israel Is Ideal for Family Tours

Israel having theatrical landscapes, endless historical sites and the coolest city in the area, is a top-notch tourist destination. Here are the top motivations why it is ideal to have Israel family tours at least once in your life.

The remarkable beaches

If you travel from the shores of Tel Aviv to the bluffs of Acre in the north, the coastline is spectacular and easily approachable. You will have fresh fish to eat and have access to various places from where you can enjoy the sunset. You will find the coastline of Israel to be the most inviting aspect of your tour plan.

Rich history

From the Holy book to the Crusaders to the Ottoman Realm, the land on which modern Israel is has seen everything. Jerusalem, Jaffa and Lod are among the oldest urban communities on the planet and visiting Israel permit you to visit destinations as old as history itself. You can be at Roman remains to Amish-like German Templar towns, Israel offers history inside the solaces of the modern world.

Holy Jerusalem

Heavenly to three monotheistic religions, Jerusalem is a city like no other. You can visit it during a cultural trip on your activity-stuffed holiday in Israel, guided by a local guide. The cobbled roads here have seen the absolute most momentous occasions ever. Its Old City is a mixture of beliefs and identities, a home of concurrence and a city with something for everybody, with everything from religious sites, for example, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the Mahne Yehuda market.

Tel Aviv

Tel Avis with a thriving foodie scene, lively nightlife and enough style to pursue you reconsider your design decisions, Tel Aviv is quite possibly the coolest city in the Middle East, if not the world. From extraordinary eateries to astounding architecture, the cultural capital of Israel is all that you’d anticipate from a Western capital with a lot of Middle Eastern style. Explore the city on a bike and test scrumptious street food as a feature of your vacation in Israel.

The food to taste

From astonishing street food, such as falafel or sabich, to incredible local eats, including hummus or shakshuka, and the best top-notch food possible — Israel has everything. Both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv offer innumerable astonishing spots to eat. Make a beeline for any Middle Easterner town to attempt basbousa or some other super-sweet Arabic treats, while in the Old City of Acre you can relish the taste of fresh fish.

Israeli hospitality

Old or youthful, religious or atheistic, your typical Israeli is caring and will assist with anything that you want, consistently prepared with a recommendation.

Possible to see in a day

From the Red Sea resort town of Eilat on the southernmost tip to Metula in the snow-covered Golan Heights, venturing to every part of the length of Israel in only six hours is conceivable. So an outing to Israel is always on the cards.

To enjoy the best of Israel family tours, contact Ori Stern at 972522454360. They will arrange everything to make it possible to have a pleasant vacation.

[mdrewjackson]

Tomorrow we start off on the Via Francigena. It’s an ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury, England to Rome, covering 2,000+ kms through France, Switzerland, and Italy.

(Fun fact: In the Middle Ages, there were three main pilgrimage destinations: Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Having walked a couple of routes to Santiago and loved the experience, we thought let’s try a route to Rome.)

We aim to bike for two weeks from Canterbury to Besançon in eastern France, then walk for three weeks through the Swiss Alps to Aosta just across the Italian border. That’s roughly the halfway point of the Via Francigena.

Today was a warmup sampler, ferrying from Calais to Dover and then biking to Canterbury. It was only 35 kms but man, it was kinda gruelling. Our rented bikes weren’t really up to the country walking paths that made up half of today’s route, the wind was 50+ km/hr, and one of us (um, that would be me) took a spill along a rutted single track into a fence. I had a lump on my arm the size of a kiwi and couldn’t squeeze my hand without grimacing. We staggered into Canterbury, bruised and windswept. #humbledbutthankful

[belfastinternship2024]

Sleepless in Berlin, Soaked in Belfast: Welcome to The Holyland

Annika, Moritz, and I – three excited apprentices from OSZ IMT – met in Berlin at 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, to catch our flight to Belfast. We were fueled by caffeine and anticipation as we made our way through the airport.

After a stopover in Dublin and a bus ride, we finally arrived in Belfast.

Our first impression of Northern Ireland was breathtaking. The green hills, majestic mountains, and humid air were a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Berlin. The city of Belfast was a mix of old and new, with historic sites and brick buildings lining the streets.

Stepping off the bus from Dublin to Belfast, a taxi was waiting for us. The driver, a friendly soul, turned into our own personal Belfast guide during the ride.

One of the first things that caught our attention was the name of our neighborhood - The Holyland. It sounded interesting, but the taxi driver revealed that this area is the brainchild of a very religious developer named Sir Robert McConnell. Back in the 1890s, after a trip to the Middle East, he decided to name the streets of this new neighborhood after places he visited - Jerusalem, Damascus, Cairo, Palestine and so on. "The Holyland" just became a natural nickname for the whole area.

So our home for the next 2 months was a student dormitory in The Holyland, Belfast's vibrant student quarter. Bustling with young energy, the area was a sensory overload in the best way possible. Pubs, restaurants, and shops lined the streets, offering a taste of Belfast's multicultural scene. We had a view of the busy streets and the noise of flowing traffic. Just in time for our move, Northern Ireland welcomed us with its typical weather: pouring rain. It was a perfect start to our adventure!

Even though it was raining, we couldn’t help but be excited about our new surroundings. The people of Belfast were incredibly friendly and welcoming. We were still looking for our accommodation when several passers-by stopped to ask if we needed help. They showed us the way and even gave us tips for the area. It was a great first impression of the city!

Later that afternoon, we decided to stretch our legs and explore Belfast! We didn't have a specific place in mind, so we just started walking.

Our first glimpse was of Ormeau Park, but we kept going for a wander instead. Spring was definitely in the air - everything was bursting with flowers, especially these cheerful wild daffodils. And who knew Belfast had palm trees? They added a lovely touch of the exotic.

Following the Ormeau Road, the same one our accommodation was on, we headed towards the city centre. This road's a mini history lesson! Built in the early 1800s, it was once called the New Ballynafeigh Road. Back then, it connected a village to Belfast, helping the city grow south. Today, Ormeau Road is a cool mix of modern shops and charming Victorian buildings.

We then came across the Jaffe Fountain. This wasn't your typical water fountain! It was grand and impressive, with a huge structure and important-looking statues at the base. It reminded me of the beautiful fountains you see in European squares, all fancy and a bit out of place in the middle of Belfast.

Here's a fun fact: the fountain was built in honor of a German businessman named Daniel Jaffe. He came to Belfast in the 1800s and played a big role in the city's linen industry. His son, Otto Jaffe, even became the first ever Jewish mayor of Belfast!

After our walk, we stumbled upon Victoria Square! This massive shopping mall was the perfect place to duck in and explore. It was also getting close to dinnertime, so we decided to treat ourselves with a delicious pizza at Pizza Express!

As the day began to wind down and the sky turned dusky, we kept walking towards the city center. That's when we spotted Belfast City Hall - all lit up and looking grand!

We even saw a fun Beer Bike cruising by with a happy crowd! It looked tempting, but after our long day exploring, we were all pretty wiped out. Time to head back and rest up for more adventures tomorrow!