Pamella271

I go in Aug of 2020. Wonder what will be going on then?

I was wondering the same thing @Little Rascal.  I wonder if it is because they think the new museum will be done by the time we sail?

Here is a list off a Youtube channel run by Kara and Nate.  They posted a video of the best street food in Jerusalem about five days ago. They had three videos of Jerusalem that were very interesting.  It seems most of these were in a market called the Mahane Yehuda Market aka the Shuk.  I don't know how far that is from the King David but the places they stopped looked great.

"Are you seriously not going to tell people where you went?? Fine. I'll tell so that if any of your viewers ever go to Jerusalem, they can try these places out...

1. Arafat Hummus: Hazorfim Market Street, 53 Old City (NEVER Old Town), Jerusalem (hole in the wall joint with no sign - best accessed via Jaffa Gate but it is listed in Google Maps - also highly recommend Hummus Abu Ahmed on the Via Dolorosa between the 5th and 6th station of the Cross)

2. Jaffar Sweets (with the Knaffeh) : Al Zeit St., Old City of Jerusalem - enter through Damascus Gate and ask literally anybody. It's like an easy 3 minute walk

3. Falafel Guy: He's on Al Wad Street between Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter Entrance to the Wailing Wall. If you are coming from Damascus Gate, he'll be on your left maybe 3 minutes after you pass the 5th station of the Cross. I don't think his falafel is THAT awesome btw.

 At this point, they left the Old City and said that they were headed to East Jerusalem. They weren't. They headed to West Jerusalem.

4. Steakiyat Chatzot: They got Jerusalem Mixed Grill here (Me'orav Yerushalmi) at 123 Agripas st. near the Mahane Yehuda Market aka the Shuk. This restaurant claims to have invented this dish. She made it seem gross but it is beloved in these parts. Don't get a plate - get an overstuffed pita sandwich like the locals do. At all hours.

5. Aricha Sabich: Agripas St 83, Jerusalem - seriously the best Sabich in the country. Its an eggplant and egg pita sandwich with Hummus, Amba sauce and salad. Its great! Also? The eggplant is fried, not grilled.

6. Marzipan Bakery: 44 Agripas By the Mahane Yehuda Market across the street from Mahane Yehuda Market - the chocolate ruggelach was listed by Saveur Magazine as one of the 100 best foods in the world. Carbohydrate crack. Enjoy!

7. Uzi Eli Medecine Man: Inside Mahane Yehuda - ask anyone - a shuk classic and the most unique place there. All kinds of juices but do try the Gat infused juices. Its what the old people drink to stay spry and energized. Try to go there when Uzi Eli is there. Dude's a character and a half.

8. Soramelo ("Best Ice Coffee" place) i it's inside the shuk by the Agripas street entrance to the covered part of Mahane Yehuda. They have pretty good waffles. Relatively new and pretty popular at night. Not particularly local or unique but its ok with a hipster vibe.

9. Jahnun Bar: Also in Mahane Yehuda Market - enter through Agripas street entrance to covered Shuk. Make your first left and again your first left and there it is! Very yummy Yemenit classic - called Jahnun Bar but they sell mostly "Malawach." Goes good with drunkeness!

10. Bourekas Ramle: 44 Agripas (everything on this block is 44 Agripas btw) - just down the street from Marzipan on the corner. It's originally Turkish. This is a good place to buy this very common street food because turnover is high and the Bourekas are always fresh and hot. My fave is cheese!

11. Beer Bazaar: On the other end of the street from where Soramelo is at - closer to Jaffa Rd. and the light rail train tracks. Here they specialize in very yummy American street food cuisine and they have a huge and often weird selection of Israeli micro breweries. In conclusion - there are many more restaurants in the Old City (Hello? Austrian Hospice!) and Mahane Yehuda / The Shuk (Hello? Rachmo!). Try them all! That having been said - this is a good start and I am super impressed that Kara and Nate were able to put all that away. Seriously. How did you eat all that? I hope my unofficial addendum was helpful"

I have to echo Little Rascal's comments.  These are invaluable.  Thank you so much.

We are planning on going early to TLV when we go next August. Can't wait to read your review of YMCA. That's where I have been looking to stay for our pre-pre cruise. Let me know how the breakfast buffet is.

On another thread there are people that have received their documents for their trip starting Aug 24 and it says the Ra. Let's keep our fingers crossed for them.

My cruise was also changed by three days. Following to keep up. Viking did send me an e-mail

I am booked on the Ra for Aug of 2020. I too am waiting on the first reviews and pictures. Last I heard Viking is hoping the Ra will be ready for Oct. so, I hope, Moandjc that it will be ready when you sail and yours will be the first review I read.