Crossing the land border from Jordan we'd been told we could experience serious delays, especially because of our recent travel destinations.
We got through the first part ok, but when it came to the visa desk, dad got straight through and I was given a questionnaire and told to wait to be called.
In the waiting room I sat next to two Canadian girls who were living in Jordan but were born in Baghdad, they were used to being stopped at immigration. They also had a dog with them that had a heart problem so they were taking it to the animal cardiologist in Tel Aviv. Their ridiculous situation was difficult to explain to the border people.
Four hours later, after intense questioning, making me sweat it out and plan an alternative trip, I was allowed through.
Jerusalem is just one of those places you have to visit, like Disneyland, there's something for everyone. I'm not a particularly religious person but actually being in the old city and wandering around you can't help but feel something.
The weather in Jerusalem was pretty cold and miserable, it even snowed at one point between the wind & rain, but we didn't let the weather get in the way of our experience.
The old city of Jerusalem in my imagination was huge, but if you don't get lost, the three holiest sites for Christians, Muslims, and Jews are all within a five minute walk of each other. It is divided into quarters, the Jewish, Christian, Armenian & Muslim quarters.
Most of the morning was spent just trying to fathom the history while being battered by the rain and wind. Then in the afternoon we met up with two South African girls Rozanne & Melody, we'd met the night before to do a tour of the Mount of Olives.
From the Mount of Olives you have panoramic views of the old city and you can see the Chapel of Ascension where Jesus is said to have risen to heaven and left a huge footprint which is embossed in stone. There is also the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus and his disciples are said to have hung out the night before the crucifixion. The olives that are grown on the trees in the garden are used to make the olive oil that the pope uses, I assumed for his gourmet organic holy cooking but apparently he puts it on people's feet.
The following day Dad and I decided to brave the weather and take Jerusalem on foot. Our first stop was the Temple Mount because of its obscure opening hours and therefore long queues. The weather was icy, we were absolutely drenched, but we persevered.
The Dome of the Rock was even more beautiful up close.
Our next stop was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We had a little mission to light a candle for Mike, Dad's brother who died a year ago.
We waited about forty minutes in the queue to enter the empty tomb of Jesus. I wanted to pay my respects but I didn't really know what to do when I went inside so I was just taking my cues from everyone else.
The girl in front of me was really having an experience and she was crying for the vast majority of our stint inside. We ended up sharing the tomb with her, and I didn't really know what to do, so I just kept bowing and touching the alter and crossing myself, and Dad was copying me. In the end she started copying me too, little did she know.
Within the same church is the Chapel of Calvary where it is said Christ was crucified. There is a little shrine and hole in the middle which symbolises where the cross was meant to go. I knelt in there again to pay my respects & used the same technique as before with the bowing and crossing.
Next stop Nazareth, Jesus' hood.
Nick + Tony
What a fascinating insight into a really historical city. This is an area i have not traveled to but i am really interested in the holy lands and this has really inspired me to take a more serious look at going. How would you say it would be for families?
ReplyDeleteRefugia Stein @ Container Domes
Great for families, water is fine to drink, food is varied and as safe as "western" countries. I'd definitely recommend Israel but I'd definitely also recommend Bethlehem and the West Bank.
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