Spent the entire day in Jerusalem with my mother and a fabulous tour guide. I was overwhelmed by the immense amount of history that has occurred on its holy grounds. Jerusalem is a region chalk full of controversy between different religions, the rises and falls of empires, crusades, miracles, and the search for God. It has had such a hideous history, yet it is one of the most holiest places on earth. Jerusalem is such a fascinatingly complex and mysterious enigma; it paralyzes my brain to even begin to process it all! Although I must say, there is something in the air amongst the corridors of stone at the site of its ancient ruins that is quite romantic. There is a constant wave of discoveries- new tunnels and artifacts and pieces of information on a daily basis that changes the perspectives of the holy scripture. It just goes to show that history is not a be all end all discussion. It is not written in the hands of just the victors or the people who were driven out. Human perspective is dangerously skewed to the point where people kill one another over it, and it's sad :(
All we can count on is tradition and the respect we should all put forth towards everyone's preferences in cultivating their individual relationship to God.
A view from the Jewish Quarters in the Old City of the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock
A view of a predominantly Arab neighborhood from the Ancient city of David, stunningly carved into Jerusalem's hillside.
The Ancient city of King David is under arduous excavation. Beneath and within the ruins you see in this picture, we explored through caves and tunnels that the Jew's would hide in during various Crusades during the rise and falls of empires.
Climbing up some boulders by the Western Wall.
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