Funny thing was, I carried my own luggage. I felt I was being taken advantage of (however small the price increase). I even threatened to catch the bus (on pure principle of not being taken advantage of). But, after considering that I did not know exactly which bus to take and I was very tired, I put my "pure principle" back in the bag and was on my way to the hotel via a short taxi ride through East Jerusalem. When I arrived at the hotel, I thanked the driver and paid him his price (No, I did not tip him).

The view from in front of the hotel was breathtaking; one could see the entire "Old City" of Jerusalem and the majestic stone wall surrounding it.
After checking-in at the front desk, I went outside to take in some more of the view of the "Old City".  Click the mouse below for a link to the panoramic view which I beheld.
 

It was standing in front of the hotel where I met the person named: "Wael Hawa" (a young man in his late twenties who goes by the nickname "Wally" - he may have other aliases that I am not aware of). This man who claims to be a Christian was an adventure all by himself. In actuality, I have no certain proof that this man's legal name is Wael Hawa, except that the Israeli police seemed to be familiar with this man when I reported his activities and gave them the name that he was using in my presence. In any case, clicking the mouse above will provide you with links to pictures for recognizing this man if you are ever approached by him on your trip to Israel.
 

One of the smaller instances of concern was "brother" Wael's selling of merchandise that he claims that he obtained from one of the local churches. Brother Wael even had a whole "story" of how he was good friends with the sister living in the church that provided him the goods and how he was willing to take me to meet her; however Wael said I could not meet her right then. When Wael later learned that I was actually following up with the church on the alleged person he received the goods from, he became highly agitated and began acting extremely hostile (and speaking Arabic instead of English) toward a relative of his who he had brought into my acquaintance. I subsequently was told that Wael was angry with his relative because Wael thought his relative had suggested that I investigate the story about where the goods came from. In any case, the church from which Wael supposedly obtained the goods had never heard of the sister whom Wael claims lived in the church.

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