A few Easter related photos

A few summers ago Joelle and I traveled through Egypt and Jordon and then into Israel via the West Bank. The arrival through that particular entrance was pretty bad, among the worst border crossings I have ever done while traveling six continents including previous visits to Israel and passing through Eilat on a few week prior to this. For Joelle the crossing set the mood for our visit to Jerusalem and then many of the so-called Christians that we met reminded her of the miserable thumpers she went to school (and detested) with at a religious right school in Pennsylvania. (She was a first born child so when her parents told her to go there, she went.)

After being treated like dirt and being told a complete lie by a Lutheran guest house in the old quarter I eventually found a room at an Episcopal guest house which was slightly better. Despite being a city of religion, the hatred and religious intolerance is palpable inside the city walls. It was all a bit much for Joelle who is spiritual though not religious and she struggled during our days in Jerusalem. I'm neither but love history so I found the city to be fantastic regardless of what quarter you were visiting. (We received a few obnoxious and offensive comments on the eastern side while minding our own business though many others were quite friendly.)

Following the initial night inside the city walls we moved a few blocks outside where it was much more enjoyable and friendly. I still think of the great kosher restaurant where the family made tasty Moroccan food. If you like history, the city of Jerusalem is one of the most amazing places in the world.
Street sign in old Jerusalem for the famous Via Dolorosa.


Priest (Greek Orthodox? Armenian?) touching one of the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa.


Inside the Holy Sepulcher, Joelle touching the spot where Jesus' cross stood. The women behind her was running out of patience because she thought Joelle should have rushed through like everyone else. Instead Joelle had pointed her head lamp inside the hole and was busy looking around since it might be a while before she makes it back.


Steps below the spot above, this is where Jesus was laid and anointed (with oils) following his death. Quite a crowd builds up here with many visitors touching the marble and resting items (crosses, cloth, books, etc) on it to take back home for others. We later witnessed a hair pulling/crying episode. Very strange for me but for others it all seemed normal enough.



In one of the many rooms below the main floor of the Holy Sepulcher, you can find crosses etched into the walls left from centuries ago. I believe someone told us this may have been from the days of the Crusaders though it could have been a story.


The tomb of Jesus is noticeably ornate today though back in the day it was simple. Steps away from here (and this long line) inside the Holy Sepulcher are great examples of what the tomb would have looked like. It's a simple hole and would have been covered with a rock. Today (maybe not *today* but on a normal day) the line is at least one hour before you go in. I opted for the real McCoy example behind here.

I know that some people would not visit because they oppose their politics and while it's fair to have disagreements, you would also be missing so much. Having been bashed for being an American (during the Bush years) while traveling in remote areas of the world, I personally don't subscribe to this approach. I was ripped by so many people as if I was a Bush-loving Republican so it annoys me to take such a stance. Israel makes good and bad decisions just like any other country and when I compare what Israel has done compared to its neighbors - who have also received billions upon billions - it's hard not to be impressed.

Anyway, hope everyone is preparing to have a nice Easter meal with friends and family. We're gathering on Easter Monday with family though somehow, we're not having a traditional leg of lamb. Oh the humanity.