July 27-28th--Machane Yehuda, Ben Yehuda, Friday night at the Kotel, Shabbat with the Rotenbergs

Friday was a great Jerusalem day! We started the morning by returning the rental car to Hertz by the King David and then taking the monorail to do some shopping. There's nothing like heading to Machane Yehuda on Friday to do Shabbat shopping. The hustle and bustle is amazing (although Benjamin didn't like the mixture of smells). The boys picked out Shabbat candy, fruit, slurpies and had the most delicious bourekas. Of course we met cousin Buddy collecting money for his cause. We especially loved going to Martzipan for the most delicious rugalach ever!
Next we walked to Ben Yehuda street where the boys each picked out a new hat with Grandma and Grandpa's money. Joshua got an Israeli air force hat and Benjamin got an Israeli army hat. We also enjoyed the street entertainers, as always.
Then we took a taxi back to Gila and Josiah's where the kids all had a fun pre-Shabbat water fight in the backyard. What could be better in the intense Israel heat?!
Next we took a taxi to the Kotel. As usual, the Friday night experience was beautiful and moving. After Davening, Roy made kiddush at the Kotel (weird to be eating there on Tisha Ba'av) and then we began to walk back to Savta and Roy's apartment for a delicious dinner. On the way, we happily noticed that the tent where Gilad Shalit's parents waited for so many years for his return was gone. After passing the spot where it once stood, we began singing Shalom Alechem and Aishet Chayil until we got to the apartment. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful walk (or better company).
During dinner, Joshua fell asleep and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't wake him. So...we left him there. (Thank you to Savta and Roy for returning him in the hot midday sun on shabbat morning). Benjamin walked home with us at midnight and was a real trooper.
Shabbat was restful and relaxing and always great to spend with good friends!