So, I recently went with my family to Israel and Egypt. I really enjoyed the experience. Growing up in a Christian household, I heard much of the land of Israel and the many historical and religious events tied to it. I have also had a certain fascination with Ancient Egypt. It has never really been strong enough to motivate me to look into it too much, but I do find it very mysterious and fantastic. This trip allowed me to experience both, first hand.
We first went to Israel. For how much history took place there, I was amazed at how small the country was. We traveled with a religious tour group and it seemed that every 15 minutes or so, we would pass by some site of significance (sibilance anyone?). I knew the country was small, and so I kind of imagined it as the size of my own state, Utah. Well, it turns out that about 10 Israels could fit inside of Utah. When we were in Jerusalem, I couldn't believe that Bethlehem was just the next hill over. We are talking about a distance of just 6 miles. And, whoever named the Sea of Galilee a sea was exaggerating. The surface are of the Sea of Galilee is 64 sq. miles. In comparison, Bear Lake has a surface area of 109 sq. miles. It was very nice there, but I wouldn't call it a sea.
I really enjoyed walking around within the walls of Old Jerusalem. I love getting a feel for different cultures and Jerusalem is a great place to do that. Old Jerusalem has 4 quarters: the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter, the Christian quarter, and the Armenian quarter. It was very interesting to see characteristics of each of the different ethnic backgrounds. Walking along the top of the walls, my sister and I were able to witness a body, in a lidless coffin, being carried and followed by a crowd of people into the Muslim cemetery. In the Jewish quarter, our group was able to visit the Wailing Wall a few times. As is common within religions, there are many levels of orthodoxy within Judaism. There seeme
d to be Jews from all walks of life at the Wall. Some in street clothes no different than mine; others in attire designed to make them stand out as much as possible, as a sign of their being God's covenant people. From all walks of life, but all there to worship the Lord of Shabbat. As the temple mount is considered the most holy spot in Judaism, but too holy to set foot on, they come to the Western Wall of the temple mount- believed to be the closest wall to where the Holy of Holies once rested. It is here that they come to pray. A site where “it is as if he has prayed before the throne of glory because the gate of heaven is situated there”(Pirke De-Rabbi Eliezer, 35).
While in Israel, I gained a much greater appreciation for the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Our tour director feels that the U.S. media is very Israeli biased and I was very grateful that he wanted us to understand that Palestinian does not equal terrorist. Our tour guide and bus driver were both Palestinian and it was very interesting to hear how their parents and grandparents, whose land had been in their families for hundreds of years, were forced out o
f their homes when Israel was made a state after WWII. Which left me wondering: Who thought that it would be a good idea to take an occupied piece of land and declare it for a certain people? Did they ask the people currently living there if they were OK with that? Now many Palestinians live behind a wall that has been erected. The wall is meant to keep the extremists out. And while the wall has proven to be a successful deterrent for extremists, the majority of the Palestinians feel like second class citizens; shut behind a wall where the standard of living from one side to the other is quite visible. Most live with the hope that one day the wall will fall and all will live in peace.
We also visited many sites with significance to the Christian world. The Sea of Galilee was already mentioned. I couldn't believe how much is said to have happened along those shores and upon those waters.
We also visited sites where it is believed that Christ was born, where he died and where he was believed to have been buried. One location believed by most Christians to be the site where Christ both gave up his life and was entombed is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is a large church built within the walls of the old city. Underneath the high arching dome ceiling is a shrine. It is here that visitors line up to enter. It is here that many believe Christ's body was laid. The image above was taken within this shrine.
Another site, in stark contrast to the gaudy (or is that GODy?) Holy Sepulchre, is the Garden Tomb.
Leaving the old city through Damascus Gate and walking up the hill a short distance, is the Garden Tomb. Here is a lush Garden juxtaposed with a rocky escarpment. Within the rock can be seen what looks like two sunken eyes and a nose. Something that bears significance when considering that the place where Christ was crucified was called Golgotha, or "place of [the] skull." Maybe 100 yards from the possible crucifixion site, within the garden, is a tomb. It is here that a small percentage of Christians believe that Christ's body was laid. Whichever is right, I preferred the natural beauty of the garden.
After spending 2 weeks in Israel, half of our tour group continued on to Egypt. We
flew into Cairo and started visiting museums and shops right away. The next morning, we traveled to the opposite bank of the Nile and entered Giza. On the outskirts of Giza are the Great Pyramids. The largest one is said to be made of over a million massive stones. I was able to go deep inside one of them and also ride a camel in the surrounding desert.
From Cairo, we flew to Luxor. Luxor is a city that lies on the east side of the Nile, the side where the sun rises. It is on this side where the temples for the living were built. The west side, where the sun sets, is the resting place for the dead. It was on the west side that we visited the Valley of the Kings.
Going away from the idea of building a pyramid for every pharaoh, the Egyptians began digging graves. The Valley of the Kings became the site where the pharaohs were laid to rest. This amazing location is filled with the tombs of ancient pharaohs. Built in a valley with a pyramidal peak above it, 63 tombs have been discovered, so far, and it is believed that there is much more yet to be unearthed.
Also along the west bank of the Nile is the Necropolis of Ramses III - A mortuary temple built in his honor.
I was fascinated by the extensive hieroglyphics found in all of the temples and tombs we visited, but it was at this temple that it also struck me how much color the art would have had initially. Back in the recesses, away from the effects of sand, wind and sun were vibrantly colored images. I was amazed by the fact that I was looking at the original color. I would stand out in one of the large courtyards and imagine every wall, every pillar, and much of the ceilings covered with ornate hieroglyphs and vibrant color. I was in awe.
Our hotel in Luxor rested right along the Nile. I found it to be a beautiful river. It was interesting to fly from Cairo to Luxor and see how the Nile was the lone string of life twisting, turning, and gliding through the land. The rest seemed like complete wasteland, as far as the eye could see.
We were able to travel up the river a ways and see people making their livelihood. From those catching the edible wildlife to those irrigating their crops; in Egypt, the Nile is life. Spending the end of our trip on the shores of that river was a great way to wrap up a long, busy, and fantastic vacation. There is something peaceful and soothing about a river. Back at the hotel in the evenings, I was lucky enough to eat my dinner along the banks, stare out across the pool and river and watch the sunset. It was a sight to behold.
