The Promise Land

Beaches of Tel Aviv
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Shalom!

Where to begin?  The border crossing...was all prepared for a nightmare.  Talked to several travelers at the airport in Istanbul and heard horror stories.  I arrive at 3:30am, get in line for customs (600+ people).  I usually pick the slow line but this time I whipped right through.  I waited only 5 minutes.  Walk out to get my bag and it was there waiting for me.  Got a cab and was in bed 1 hour and 15 minutes after landing.  Not to shabby.  I had more difficult border crossings into the USA for pete's sake.  Needless to say, I think the shit train is going to come along and dump its load sometime in the near future.  Guessing Dubai because that was way to easy.  Did some visa paperwork for Jordan no problem, but my passport has evidence that I was in Israel. (Israel stamps a piece of paper if you ask).  Was too late for the Egypt office so the guy told me to come back the next day.  Did that and the office did not open "just cause".  I guess the Egyptians are known for that kind of stuff.  Left Tel Aviv and headed for Jerusalem, 50% of the passengers on the bus had automatic weapons.  At 18 you have to do 2 years of service so it is pretty obvious that most of them don't want to be there.  The girls fling the weapons around as if it is a purse.  You get use to the sights of all the guards, it becomes part of the daily life routine. There is so much to see and do here in Jerusalem, I was on a strict tourist schedule!  I spent most of my time in the Old City as the new part of Jerusalem is like any other major city.  The Old City is divided into 4 quarters, Jewish, Christian, Arabic and Armenian.  Each very different.  If you have only a few days to explore the city do not come on a Friday.  You should visit from Monday to Thursday if tight on time.  Every Friday about 3pm everything shuts down for the Jewish to celebrate Shabbat.  The streets are deserted.  The only thing running are the Arabic taxis.  Shabbat lasts until Saturday one hour after sunset.  It is like having christmas every week, I guess they get very excited as they share a meal with their families .  As a freaky coincidence my cousin Vince and his wife Florence were there in Jerusalem the same time I was.  The last time they saw me I was 6!  Of all places to meet.  They were traveling with 7 others and they invited me to celebrate Shabbat with them (all Christians).  It was a lot of fun and I got to learn some stuff about the Jewish faith.  I really needed a home cooked meal, it was so good I showed up unannounced the next night!   It is very interesting and powerful watching all the people of different faiths pray.  Wide range of cultural backgrounds.  This is a place you have to experience for yourself, religious or not.  I have been to more church services on this trip then I have my entire life!  The churches are amazing, usually in a different language but it is quite an experience.  I went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.  There are a tonne of different versions of the story of Christ but you just have to go with what your religion believes.  Seen the Western "Wailing" wall (www.aish.com/wallcam), the Dome of the Rock, Mount of Olives, went to the City of David and walked through the Hezekiah's tunnel.  Seen the room of the Last Supper and the list goes on.  Too much to do in such a short period of time.  Did go over to Bethlehem.  That was interesting.  For those of you who do not know that Bethlehem is in Palestinian Territory which means you have to cross through this nasty concrete barrier they built in 2005 to monitor Palestinian movement.  It is a total eye sore and divides the people of Israel and the Palatine Territories.  Palestinians are over populated and poor, so Bethlehem was a complete disappointment but had to see it for myself.  The Church of the Nativity is the church built over the birthplace of Jesus.  The Shepard's Field was closed over lunch so I did not get to see that.  Did a day trip to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee with some others from the hostel.  Was a good day except the driver who we thought was our guide hardly spoke english, got lost in every place as he has never been there.  Plus he was from Jordan!  I did not come here to be taken around by a foreigner.  The day was a mess but got to see where Jesus was baptized and everything we learned that day was from out Lonely Planet book!  It was cheap for a reason!!!  Oh well lesson learned.  Even with all the political issues that surrounds this place, I felt very safe.  There is clear cut evidence of violence and the people live in fear for a reason.  For the most part they are kind and they will pray for you.  I will take any help I can get!  Israel and the Palestinian Territories is DEFINATELY on my list of places to return to, this is the first country I was not ready to leave!!!  So much more to see and do!!!

God Bless!

Celebrating Shabbat
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Shalom