Eric and I were in the Old City seeing some ruins attributed to King David but are actually mostly Hasmonean and Herodian. I can't believe I actually know the difference! Anyway, afterward, I wanted to work my way down to the Christian quarter to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, so we took off down one of the busiest "streets," just inside Jaffa Gate. Because of the many tourists stopping every few feet to look at the piles of Arab crap for sale (not actual crap, just junky touristy kitsch), I started to dodge around people so I could get to where I wanted to go. Eric was behind me trying to keep up.
All of a sudden, I find myself face to face with an Arab man and his two friends, and he is walking a bicycle up the very tiny walkway. I know I said street before, and they are streets, but they are like the streets in the old part of Philadelphia, maybe 10 feet across. Anyway, we were both in the middle of the street, so most people would have just stepped to the side to pass, but he just stands there expecting me to get out of his way. I, of course, refuse. There's no way in hell I'm going to step out of his way. First of all, I'm a woman, and secondly, I'm not trying to maneuver some stupid bicycle where it shouldn't be in the first place. Plus, I was in the middle where there are steps. To the sides are the little ramps people use for carts and other things with wheels. So I just stand there with a look on my face that says "You better go around 'cause I'm not movin'."
Finally, he broke and started to move. However, he only moved slightly to my right, and his stupid bicycle ran over my foot in the process. I wasn't hurt, but I yelled at him just the same. Eric grabbed the handlebars and directed the bike over more to the right, and the incident was over. Boy, was I bugged, though. The levels of rudeness I've experienced are unbelievable. To be fair, however, I'll also say that I've met some very nice people in grocery stores and other places. I'm still pretty sure my New Jersey attitude is going to land me in some Israeli emergency room before the year is up!
