Both Sides of the Fence

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Well it's that time of year when one pigs out and gets merrily pissed. I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year to all my family, friends, workmates, fellow travellers and bloggers.

It kind of felt appropriate that I spent the lead-up to the holiday season in the Holy Land.

I loved walking around the different quarters (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Armenian) in the Old City of Jerusalem. Most of the religious activity centres around the Temple Mount area where the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock are located.

Also took a trip into Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. It was eerily quiet with nary a tourist in sight. Normally there would be heaps at this time of year. Possibly people have been scared away by the huge security fence that separates the West Bank from Israel, or the recent Lebanon conflict, or the current Palestinian political infighting including the assassination attempt on the Hamas president last week and the unrest in Gaza this week. I hope it picks up for Xmas or else the residents will really be doing it tough. I read somewhere that 51.5% of Palestinian households live below the poverty line.

I have felt nothing but safe travelling in Israel, and had a fantastic time visiting this country.

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Photos

Wailing Wall
Women praying at the Western Wall, which is all that remains of the Second Temple. Written prayers are stuck into the crevices.

Prayers
At an underground section of the Western Wall Tunnels next to a menorah (candles lit for Hanukka)

Wilsons Arch
Another underground section of the Western Walls, where only the men are allowed to pray next to. The women pray in a separate section overlooking this chamber.

Western Wall tunnels
Located under the Muslim Quarter

Bar Mitzvah
Commonly celebrated at the Western Wall

Rooftops of the Old City
The Muslim Quarter looking back to the Dome of the Rock

Dome of the Rock
The 3rd holiest Muslim site in the world. Non-muslims are not allowed to enter. Only the women are allowed inside to pray. The men pray at a separate mosque in the same complex (al-Aqsa), and are only permitted to visit the Dome at certain times for a look-see.

Arab souq
Feels like being back in Syria or Turkey, but it's actually the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Ramparts
Walking towards the Tower of David

Dead Sea Scrolls
Located in the Israel Museum. First known Hebrew Bible written by a monastic Jewish sect called the Essenes.

Crown of Thorns
In the Chapel of the Flagellation where Jesus was sentenced to crucifixion

Priests and Nun
Courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of Jesus' crucifixion

Marble slab
Where Jesus' body was supposedly annointed before he was buried

Holy Sepulchre
Pilgrims lining up to get inside Jesus' tomb, with a priest guarding the entrance. The 12 apostles and Jesus look down from above.

Jesus' tomb
The marble slab covers the rock on which Jesus' body was laid.

Manger Square, Bethlehem
Where are all the pilgrims?

Santas
The most surreal experience when 2 Santas showed up in the Grotto of the Nativity where the baby Jesus was born

X marks the spot
Where the baby Jesus was born. The 14 points of the silver star represent the 14 stations of the Via Dolorosa (Path of Sorrow)

Security Fence
Security checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank

What were they thinking?
Demonstrations like this do nothing more than inflame the situation.

Comments

[Louise]

Happy Xmas Gus
Have enjoyed catching up with your travels again this morning - hope you had a great Xmas wherever the hell you where!!! Louise