Retracing Jesus’s Steps

Today was to be a day of discovery. I do consider myself a Christian but not a particularly devout one. Our day began with a brief tour and view of the city from the top of King David’s Tower in the Jewish Quarter. We then proceeded to the Muslim Quarter and in an ironic twist started to retrace the steps of Christ. We walked the Via Dolorosa following the 14 steps of Christ from where Jesus had been imprisoned by King Herod to the Mount Calvary where the cross was erected. Along the way we took time to acknowledge several of the points where Jesus had fallen carrying the cross and where he was helped to wash his face where the blood had been covering him from the crown of thorns. Again the location where Jesus was nailed to the cross and the place where Christ was taken down had a church built around the location. Pilgrims flock to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to pay homage. Many are seen praying at the precise location the cross was erected and many kneel and pray where the body of Jesus was taken down off the cross prior to his burial. The afternoon continues with stops at the house which contains King David’s tomb and the room where the infamous painting of the Last Supper was created though the actual location of the Last Supper was not there but was close by. Well I guess it is about time to get out of Dodge. On Friday the Israeli army killed 10 Palestinians in the West Bank. On Saturday a Palestinian terrorist opened fire and killed 7 Jews and injured a few more at a synagogue near where we were staying. In retaliation the army bulldozed the homes of the terrorist the following day. On Sunday a 13 year old muslim shot a Jewish father and son. Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State is due to arrive today and the secret service was around our hotel as this is where he will probably be staying. 60,000 were protesting in Tel Aviv yesterday against the new government and more protests are likely. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay but I think it is time to move on. Shalom!

It's Complicated

When you have visions of visiting the Holy Land, you would think of peace and harmony and a sense of well being. However, it’s anything but that and it’s complicated. The region’s conflict between Israel and Palestine is unique. Israel itself is divided. We experienced the relative calm of Jerusalem with the unrest in the West Bank and Palestine. The recipe of mixing Israelis’ and Palestinians with Jews, Arabs, and Christians, dividing the Old City of Jerusalem into four quarters of different religious fanatic backgrounds, makes for a nasty cocktail of unrest. When visiting the West Wall or Wailing Wall our Israeli Jewish guide said it could be like sitting on a powder keg. All that it would take to set things off would be a Muslim throwing a stone over the wall at the orthodox Jews praying. The large number of armed police and security carrying firearms, would launch into action in a swift and decisive manner to restore order. Our hotel is the iconic King David which has been host to many kings, queen's, heads of state and numerous celebrities since it's construction in 1932. Our day began with a drive up to the Mount of Olives for an overall view of the Old City. Prior to heading into the Old City we made a stop at the Church of St Peter where the tomb of Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary is buried. The West Wall also know as the Wailing Wall is our next stop. The constant bobbing of the heads of Orthodox Jews reading from their bibles was mesmerizing and left me scratching my head. There is just so much to take in, but we will be back tomorrow for a full day of walking through the four quarters in what is just an amazing pilgrimage for any who practise Judaism, Chritianity, Armenian or the Muslim religions. The afternoon took us on a one-hour drive to Bethlehem in the West Bank. No donkeys or mangers to be seen but the visit to the Church of the Nativity was the focus. We witnessed the actual birthplace of Jesus and where Mary placed him in the cradle. The Inn is actually a cave with the church built over it and the original cradle is now in the Vatican. Our Christian Palestinian guide gave us some of her personal feelings of being trapped in the unbearable situation of being under the control of the Israelis. She likened it to being like a cat trapped into a corner that comes out with it’s claws drawn, trying to scratch it’s way out of an unattainable situation. Back to the Old City tomorrow with a more in depth visit. Shalome