Internet Access: Cheaper in the Old City (see 8). The Netcafe, 9 Heleni Ha-Malka St.
, uphill from Jaffa Rd. Private and friendly. NIS7 for 15min.; NIS25 per
hr. Also offers sandwiches and light meals (kosher, dairy); "the
gigabyte" NIS12-15. Open Su-Tu llam-lOpm, W-Th llam-late, F 10am-3pm, and Sa
9pm-late. Strudel Internet Cafe and Wine Bar, 11 Moonbaz St. in the Russian Compound. Not too private. It doubles as a bar at night. NIS6 for
15min. Happy hour 7-9pm and midnight-12:30am (15min. computer time and a beer
NIS13). Open M-F lOam-late, Sa 3pm-late.
Central Post Office: 23 Jaffa Rd. Poste Restante for no fee. Money
exchange, Western Union, telegram, and fax services available. Also sells phone
cards. Open Su-Th 7am-7pm, F 7am-noon. For telegrams, dial 171 (24hr.). Branch post
offices in most neighborhoods; look for a bright red awning.
Г7 accommodations
OLD CITY
The Old City is what draws so many people to Jerusalem and often keeps them
longer than they intended to stay; stop into any Old City hostel and you'll invari-
ably find dozens of travelers who have canceled return flights or postponed fur-
ther travel plans in order to spend more time within the enchanting walls.
Most of Jerusalem's cheapest hostels-from quiet sanctuaries to hang-from-the-
rafters hangouts-are located in (or just outside) the Old City. Accommodations
here are definitely more interesting and benefits include unbelievable rooftop
views, proximity to major sights, and free wake-up calls from mosque muezzins.
Old City accommodations generally fall into two categories: quieter, cleaner
establishments that sometimes have curfews, including Christian guest houses,
and the sometimes less clean, more fun, and correspondingly less safe hostels,
some of which feature bars or lax alcohol policies. Some of the latter operate with-
out government permits-nevertheless, many patrons swear by them as the only
way to meet cool fellow travelers and get to know the Old City. Use caution: even
the most rambunctious of alleyways turns into a dark ghost town after nightfall.
Petty theft is a problem; use private lockers where available. Women traveling
alone should be especially discriminating in choosing a hostel, as there have been
reports of harassment in some hostels. Remember not to use the colorful shops as
landmarks for finding your way back to your hostel because they all close by 8pm.
ЩМ SAFETY WARNING. Be extremely cautious in the empty streets of the Old
жш City after dark. Those staying in the Muslim quarter, especially women, should
not walk alone and should make their tourist status pronounced. Only the busiest
streets in the Old City are lit at night, so learn the way to your bed during the day.
According to the Old City tourist office, the most commonly reported crime is
pickpocketing. Many areas of the city, especially the Arab market, are very
crowded, making pickpocketing easy. Carry your wallet in a front pocket or in the
main compartment of your backpack, never in a back pocket of either pants or
pack. When visiting mosques, you may be prohibited from carrying anything
inside; avoid leaving valuables outside and hide them in your backpack if you
have no other choice. (See Safety and Security, )