midnight pumpkin - it's all just a dream

Jerusalem

The center of the Holy Land, a sacred city to three of the worlds major monotheistic religions, the Old City of Jerusalem is beautiful and enchanting. Entering the Old City for the first time, the air radiates with an somber energy I can't describe. The ancient narrow streets are chilling and mostly empty as the Sabbath begins on a rather cold winter day. Through a security checkpoint, I stumble upon the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), the holiest site to Judaism. It's a sight to behold, as the open air synagogue is filled with the faithful, expressing such religious devotion an aura permeates in the air.

The next day, out of dumb luck, my visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christianity where it is believed Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, a similar somber energy radiates out of the countless pilgrims attending the weekly march through the path they believe Jesus took during his crucifixion. The church itself is another extremely melancholy place.

In addition to multiple other churches, sites, ruins, graves, temples, mosques, synagogues, tunnels, etc. I visit throughout the city, with some trouble, I finally make it into Haram Ash-Sharif (the Temple Mount or the Dome of the Rock depending on religion). This is the third holiest site in all of Islam, and a site holy to Judaism and Christianity as well. To Judaism, the site is so holy, Israeli Jews and especially Orthodox Jews refuse to enter the grounds as it's too holy to approach. The sight is beautiful and the golden cupola that dominates Jerusalem stunning.

All over Jerusalem, there is something in the air that either inspires religious devotion or radiates from it, I don't know and I understand less. Jerusalem is an interesting and powerful place to visit. Mt Olive provides a wonderful viewpoint in which to observe the city, go in the morning.

posted by Jim Chea @ 1:37 AM