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