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Wash Your Feet Please! and other Jerusalem, Israel Local Custom Tips

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Jerusalem Local Custom Tips by jadedmuse

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jadedmuse    
To see the world in a grain of sand & heaven in a flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand & eternity in an hour


Real Name: Michele
Lives In: Indialantic, US
Member Since: Oct 13, 2003
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Jerusalem Local Customs
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Tradition: Wash Your Feet Please!
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  • Written by jadedmuse on Feb 21, 2004
  • Jerusalem Travel Guide
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    • Jerusalem Tradition
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    • The Haram ash-Sharif (former Temple Mount to the Jews, dating back to Solomon's Temple) is considered a sacred area to the Muslims, and you'll see evidence of this all around you. It's a peaceful feeling inside here, and you'll probably see Muslims at the water area where Islamic rules dictate that one must wash one's feet before entering a place of holy worship such as a mosque. You'll see a lot of students, both men and women, studying and talking under the trees and on the grounds around here.

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    Other Contact: Old Walled City of Jerusalem
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    Local Customs: Smoking the Narghila
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  • Written by jadedmuse on Jun 25, 2005
  • Jerusalem Travel Guide
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    • Jerusalem - In Christian Quarter
  • In Christian Quarter
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    • A custom of many Arab men is to smoke the narghila pipe. This is basically a water pipe with really strong tobacco. If you smoke some, beware that you'll probably enjoy a temporary buzz, only to be followed by a headache.

    I guess the Arab men have a strong constitution, because you'll see them clustered together in a cafe smoking their narghila and drinking mint tea or arabic coffee. You might also see them just sitting by the side of the street quietly puffing away as well.

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    Local Customs: Smoking the Narghila - 2
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  • Written by jadedmuse on Jun 25, 2005
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    • Jerusalem Local_Customs
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    • In the Muslim Quarter

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    Local Customs: Call To Prayer
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  • Written by jadedmuse on Jun 25, 2005
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    • Jerusalem Local_Customs
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    • Since a large part of the Old Walled City's residence is Arab, the haunting sound of the Koranic "Call to Prayer" is a constant, five times a day.

    You don't have to be in the Muslim Quarter to appreciate the call - we heard it clear as could be outside the city on Mt. Zion. And if you've forgotten to bring an alarm clock, the first morning prayer call will be sure to get you out of bed in a jiffy.

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    Local Customs: Mint Tea
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  • Written by jadedmuse on Jun 25, 2005
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    • Jerusalem - Vendor selling tea outside Damascus Gate
  • Vendor selling tea outside Damascus
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    • If you do any shopping at all in the Old City (and you will), don't be surprised if a shopkeeper offers you a drink of mint tea. This is a custom that is nice to respect, even if you don't end up purchasing anything. It's part of the whole culture so by all means, go along with it.

    You can also find strong tea being dispensed outside the Damascus Gate, especially during the marketplace. It's a lot of fun to watch the vendor carefully pouring out the drinks to paying customers.

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    Comments for jadedmuse about Jerusalem
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    hindu1936 Wed Apr 8, 2009 12:54 UTC
     While I enjoyed your tips, I had to laugh at the comment, "...ironic to have a muslim guide....Christianity's most precious monument." Yes indeed. most people would not have thought of that. thanks    		Leeba_Rae Tue Mar 31, 2009 13:01 UTC
     As far as I know, the 'hel' or 'heil' you are speaking of is cardamom. The tiny seeds are often also put in very sweet, hot tea.
    Robmj Mon Jan 26, 2009 08:00 UTC
     beautiful page, puts my megre efforts to shame, well done!, my most evocative memories of the old city were listening to a choir sing in St Anne's church (by chance) and visiting the stations along Via Dolorosa.    		unaS Mon Sep 29, 2008 13:24 UTC
     Lovely pages! Many thanks.
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