I’m still not sure if it’s the jetlag or the culture shock causing thoughts of my recent visit to the Holy Land to coalesce into little more than puddles of questionable substance.
I’ve certainly lost my rhythm, circadian and otherwise. Night is day; sleep is elusive; exhaustion eminent.
Separating wheat from chaff in the midst of such an abundant harvest of sights and sounds, people and politics, culture and chaos requires coherent thought; something I lack at the moment, along with a good eight hours of sleep.
But in my usual fashion, now that I’ve been there, done that, I have a wealth of travel tips and observations I just have to share when it comes to my Holy Land experience.
I’ve certainly lost my rhythm, circadian and otherwise. Night is day; sleep is elusive; exhaustion eminent.
Separating wheat from chaff in the midst of such an abundant harvest of sights and sounds, people and politics, culture and chaos requires coherent thought; something I lack at the moment, along with a good eight hours of sleep.
But in my usual fashion, now that I’ve been there, done that, I have a wealth of travel tips and observations I just have to share when it comes to my Holy Land experience.
Egypt is a third world country'; don't drink the water. That includes a ban on eating fresh vegetables and fruit, all of which are typically washed during food preparation. Figures indicate about 50% of visitors succumb to mild intestinal distress.
Bananas and oranges are a safe food option, although buying said fruit from street vendors can be risky; some have been known to plump their produce by injecting them with water.
Bananas and oranges are a safe food option, although buying said fruit from street vendors can be risky; some have been known to plump their produce by injecting them with water.
Orange you glad I have so much to share?
Ice is a no-no when it comes to ordering beverages.
Bottled water is readily available; just be sure your purchase includes an unbroken seal.
Bottled water is readily available; just be sure your purchase includes an unbroken seal.
Things went so well, we had a few of these necessities left over.
Obviously, it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, given I rarely hold back; bring an ample supply of Immodium AD and/or Pepto Bismol. Consider a Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B shot before your departure. Both the shots and meds did the trick for Jimmy and me.
Here's to covering all the bases.
Oh! And one last comment with regard to third world countries and toiletries. Carry toilet paper/tissues and hand wipes with you at all times, and an ample supply of small change in the local currency to insure access to available restrooms. Otherwise things could get messy!
And speaking of messy! Traffic in Egypt's capital city, Cairo, is insane! What can I say; Cairo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, the largest in the Middle East. Almost seven million live in the city proper; that figure balloons to twenty-three million when the surrounding areas are included.
Getting from point A to point B is an art that defies most Westerners. The locals use the horn like Westerns use turn signals and brakes. Everything from rickshaws to tractors to SUVs share the road.
Many streets lack lane designations; traffic signals are few and far between as are pedestrian crosswalks. In fact, pedestrians were often simply another layer of traffic to add to the insanity.
Getting from point A to point B is an art that defies most Westerners. The locals use the horn like Westerns use turn signals and brakes. Everything from rickshaws to tractors to SUVs share the road.
Many streets lack lane designations; traffic signals are few and far between as are pedestrian crosswalks. In fact, pedestrians were often simply another layer of traffic to add to the insanity.
I must say, though; an undercurrent of tolerance and cooperation seemed at the heart of this moving mass of humanity. I doubt Egyptians are familiar with the term “road rage.”
Egypt’s Giza Pyramids will live up to all your expectations, despite the circus of vendors, peddlers, and beggars that come with the only Ancient Wonder of the original seven still standing.
Egypt’s Giza Pyramids will live up to all your expectations, despite the circus of vendors, peddlers, and beggars that come with the only Ancient Wonder of the original seven still standing.
Hey, hey, hey! It's hump day.
And speaking of all those vendors, peddlers and beggars that came with our trip throughout the Holy Land; no eye contact is the best rule of thumb for avoiding a sale. A “no thank you” is seen as the first step in negotiations.
These guys stick to tourists like glue; or should I say gum. No sale according to the look on Gino's face.
Unrest is part of the fabric of society in much of the Middle East. Armed guards and barriers for borders are part of that picture. While somewhat alarming initially, their presence did not deter our pilgrimage. I will continue to pray for peace in the Middle East; I’m not sure it will come in my lifetime.
Palestinian border between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Israel was intense. It’s where three continents collide – Africa, Asia, and Europe; where Christians, Jews, and Muslims share a religious fervor unparalleled anywhere else in the world.
That fervor was at times dizzying and frightening both inside and out the crenelated walls of Old Jerusalem, walls originally built by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538.
We had to cross into Palestine (minus our Jewish tour guide) to see Christ’s birthplace in Bethlehem.
Within those battlements of Old Jerusalem, I witnessed Jews praying at the Western Wall; a stone’s throw away, the golden Dome of the Rock commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s mystical Night Journey glistened in the sun alongside the Al-aqsa mosque mentioned in the Quran.
That fervor was at times dizzying and frightening both inside and out the crenelated walls of Old Jerusalem, walls originally built by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538.
We had to cross into Palestine (minus our Jewish tour guide) to see Christ’s birthplace in Bethlehem.
Within those battlements of Old Jerusalem, I witnessed Jews praying at the Western Wall; a stone’s throw away, the golden Dome of the Rock commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s mystical Night Journey glistened in the sun alongside the Al-aqsa mosque mentioned in the Quran.
Men and women prayed in separate portions of the Western Wall.
It was a deeply moving experience to walk the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross), the same two miles Christ walked the day of his crucifixion. All fourteen Stations of the Cross lie inside Old Jerusalem.
Our guide suggested the crowds were probably much like those the day of Jesus' crucifixion.
Israelis admit to being a lot like sabra, the Hebrew word for cactus fruit – prickly on the outside, sweet on the inside.
We got our first taste of sabra during our border crossing from Jordan into Israel. Two hours into our ordeal, our tour group was losing the battle when it came to pushing and shoving our way through customs.
Waiters at our Tel Aviv hotel later that same day were brusque, to put it mildly. For a time we were all feeling the Ugly American with a target on our backs.
Beneath that prickly cultural Israeli façade are genuinely sincere and affable people, like the customs agent who took us under her wing and turned our losing battle into a diplomatic coup.
Ironically, the word saber, in Arabic, connotes patience and tenacity. Palestinians identify with the word sumud, which means steadfast or quiet resolve.
Tenacity and resolve is obviously the bedrock of these proud people, regardless the language they speak or God they worship. These are people whose heritage includes thousands of years of invasions, from the Romans to the Crusaders; all were determined to impose their will or drive those living there off the land. No wonder peace is still so elusive.
We got our first taste of sabra during our border crossing from Jordan into Israel. Two hours into our ordeal, our tour group was losing the battle when it came to pushing and shoving our way through customs.
Waiters at our Tel Aviv hotel later that same day were brusque, to put it mildly. For a time we were all feeling the Ugly American with a target on our backs.
Beneath that prickly cultural Israeli façade are genuinely sincere and affable people, like the customs agent who took us under her wing and turned our losing battle into a diplomatic coup.
Ironically, the word saber, in Arabic, connotes patience and tenacity. Palestinians identify with the word sumud, which means steadfast or quiet resolve.
Tenacity and resolve is obviously the bedrock of these proud people, regardless the language they speak or God they worship. These are people whose heritage includes thousands of years of invasions, from the Romans to the Crusaders; all were determined to impose their will or drive those living there off the land. No wonder peace is still so elusive.
Armed Forces in Petra still guard the "rose-red city" today.
Jordan was a calm oasis in an otherwise sea of chaos that seemed to flood the Middle East during our visit. Our grueling schedule of touring certainly didn't help matters. The desert was beginning to show some real appeal.
Our guide Sam was as delightful as he was charming, living up to the Bedouin tradition at the root of Jordanian hospitality.
Our guide Sam was as delightful as he was charming, living up to the Bedouin tradition at the root of Jordanian hospitality.
Jordan's King Abdullah II family lineage can be traced back to the Bedouin.
Jordan is where the blockbuster scenery provided authenticity to Indiana Jones’ search for his father and the Holy Grail in the movie, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.
Petra’s Al-khaznah (The Treasury) monument proved even more stunning in real life than on the screen. They'll be more to come on that antiquity and many others once I catch up on my sleep.
Petra’s Al-khaznah (The Treasury) monument proved even more stunning in real life than on the screen. They'll be more to come on that antiquity and many others once I catch up on my sleep.
That was quite the crusade by the Nabataeans 2200 years ago!
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