Jerusalem Travel Forum

you know, i had asked before, but didn' get an answer--i'm staying at the tabasco hostel, and is it easier to walk there from jaffa or damascus, or does it matter. i have one piece of luggage that rolls on wheels--what a sight that will be, dragging it down the road. oh well!

Hi again

I always nearly used the Damascus Gate as I knew my bearings from there. From memory there isnt much in it. I have a map of how to get to Tabasco from either gate in my Jerusalem accomodation tips. Print it off maybe?

Hope that helps

(~_~)

thanks. i got nice comments about tabasco hostel, so i'll enjoy staying there--it's real clean, and inexpensive.

I don't know the hostel personally, but looking at the map I can see it's about the same distance from each gate. But, it seems simpler (and a little closer) to the Damascus (or Schem, in Hebrew) gate. And the walk seems easier as you don't need to cross the market. Just take "El Wad" (Ha-Gay, in Hebrew) street until you reach "Aqabat al Takieh" street, take a right turn and the hostel should be on number 8.

thanks about this, too. i've got one piece of luggage on wheels, and it's going to be difficult enough rolling that thing down the way. everyone will know i'm out of town, for sure!

Hi and Shalom:
If the Tabasco Hostel is midway between the Damascus and Jaffa gates then go from the Jaffa gate, the walk from Jaffa towards the Damascus gate is downhill.
The distance between the two gates is only about a kilometer...
Martin

Shalom,

I have to correct mister Bregman.

Jaffa gate is easy to reach by bus from the Central Bus Station. But going through Damascus Gate is (don't know about buses driving there) indeed easier to explain and the best way to find Tabasco Hostel.
Then he directs the traveller to go through El Wad which is indeed a possibility but definitely not the best way to go, particularly when arriving with luggage (on wheels!!!).

The maps will probably not show you the exact location of Tabasco Hostel nor will it show you relief: (knowledge of) relief is important when travelling in a mediaeval city built on hills!

When passing through Damascus Gate you go down till you reach a fork: El Wad on the left, Suq Khan El Zeit on the right. Go to the right!
After a while (maybe 500 meters) you might notice a sign, showing Tabasco Hostel. Turn left in Aqabat Et Tekieh, a street that connects El Wad with Suq Khan El Zeit. Tabasco is situated a couple of shops further on your right hand side; it 's also connected with a shop/restaurant/internet café on the ground floor; the hostel is upstairs.
This means Tabasco is a lot nearer to Khan El Zeit than to El Wad, but that is not the most important reason why you should choose that way: relief is a better one!

If you try to go to Tabasco via El Wad, you will be soaked in your sweat when you arrive and you risk damaging the wheels of your luggage. Because El Wad (it means " the valley" or "the brook" in Arabic) goes all the way down and when you reach Aqabat Et Tekieh, a steep, long climb is waiting for you in a dirty, dilapidated and dark alley with irregular steps.

To recapitulate: Don't go via El Wad, go via Suq Khan El Zeit!
And enjoy the cosiest hostel in town.

Cheers.