Muslim Quarter and Going Native

Dome of the Rock from the north Ramparts

Muslin Quarter Housing from north Ramparts

Took the north Ramparts walk this morning above the Muslim Quarter in the Old City. Fascinating to see the city from above and to be so close to private residences at the same time.  The housing is so dense and close to the Ramparts, that I felt as if I was intruding.  Passed several schools, people hanging laundry, working on their roofs.


At the end when I descended, I passed a stall selling thin, cotton jalabas - just had to get one to go with my wool jalaba from Morocco (circa 1972). At first they tried to sell me some cheap, poly blend jalaba made in China - I said "why would I come all the way here to buy something made in China?  I could go to Beijing for that." So they showed me the "good stuff" - Al Haramain brand, all cotton. Got the price down from 180 to 100 NIS.  But the funniest thing was that I offered to play them a fiddle tune in exchange for a lower price and they gave me the lower price so I would stop playing :)  

So Gabriella and I are 'going native' - her with a kippa from the Kippa Man on Ben Yehuda Street and me with a jalaba.  (I think Gabriella gets the nod from the fashionistas.)