Post 12: Blame the GPS or Poor Planning on Our Part?

Israel Beyond Headlines

Post 12: Blame the GPS or Poor Planning on Our Part?

We made a big booboo when we arrived in Jerusalem.

Driving our rental car to the hotel, the GPS directs us onto a narrow street. It’s Saturday afternoon which means it’s Shabbat. No other cars in sight. The city is shut down in observance of the Sabbath.

People dressed in black coats, streimels (fur hats), and long dresses are walking, pushing strollers, children walking beside them. The street is too small for us to squeeze past them and we don’t want to desecrate their Shabbat. My face feels hot in embarrassment. How did we not think about arriving in Jerusalem on Shabbat when planning our itinerary? We need to turn around.

They see us but no one shouts, points or scolds us. I’m sure they realize we are two clueless, idiot tourists. They continue their walk as we awkwardly maneuver the car around. Meanwhile, our GPS insists we make a u-turn. We ignore it and feel relief when we get back onto the main road. Eventually, we find the hotel.

Later, we check a map and realize we were in a moving car, on Shabbat, in Mea Shearim, the ultra Orthodox religious section of Jerusalem. Oy.

Note to self: Don’t arrive in Jerusalem on Shabbat.