Sure. Your lyricus need background soft music here. But I am afraid I could drive some folks crazy with my high touching feelings on the strings. It touches the mind deeply. Lol!!!

Yeah...you keep telling yourself that.

Loved this

Aww...(((sherrie))) !!!

Im writing another chapter as we speak. hope you come visit again when i have it posted

I wouldn't miss it,beautiful.
I will be watching and waiting.

We travelled to Bethlehem right after lunch. It was the first time it dawned on me that it was not a part of Israel, but Palestine.

The bus continued along the road around what i call "the basin of tombs". There i saw a group of Jews in their black long coats and top hats congregated on one of the larger "temple"- sized tombs. I was enjoying the view from my window, when you called our attention and pointed to one direction and said, "That is where Rachel's tomb is located."

We all looked out to where you pointed to, trying to locate where this holy site was. Maybe some of the members knew what you were talking about, maybe some of them just pretended to understand, but were too unsure of what and how to ask. I for one, saw only a basin of tombs, lying silently beneath a dry hillside. A place where the dead can make Jerusalem come alive with their traditions.

We proceeded our drive upward towards a high concrete wall and waited in traffic. Seeing some military activity in the crowd of people, i decided not to take any pictures. You took your leave, since you were not allowed beyond the border and left us in the capable hands of the bus driver and our tour manager. Looking back, i could see the most sought after jewel of Israel that was Jerusalem fade away.

Beyond the imposing border wall was a completely different world. From the inside of the air-conditioned bus, i saw the opposite side of the wall was lined with a mess of graffiti, as well as some of the buildings within. The streets seemed narrower, many with litter strewn about. There were some abandoned structures, an old rusty car was in a weed-covered yard garage, with the windshield shattered. I watched the faces of the people located inside the wall, and saw a look of wanting, but I did not know what it is that they were looking for, or what it was that they wanted.

Our bus driver stopped the bus outside a small shop. He went down and into the store. A couple of minutes later, he came out with another Arab. They were both smiling, shaking hands and gesturing excitedly. Some of the children playing on the streets came up to them and hugged our jolly bus driver. He went back in the bus and said something to the tour manager. She announced that we were stopping for a few minutes in the souvenir shop. The shopkeeper was a friend and would give us a"good price" on whatever wares he had for sale.

The shop looked very much like what we saw when we were in Jordan. The wide double aluminum and glass swing doors were kept open to entice both friends and customers to enter. Dark grey granite walls framed grilled windows to let light and air in, and keep the riffraff out. There was no air conditioning, just a couple of ceiling fans rotating to ward off the heat. Shelves upon shelves of properly organized novelty items, red and white checkered scarves, travel guides, etc.,were displayed against the four walls. In the middle of the room, an open wooden cabinet held many religious iconographies. Opposite the entrance was a wood and glass counter that held more valuable trinkets and the cash register.

The shopkeeper was busy entertaining his new guests. Many of the items i saw were the same as in the previous shops we've been to, except these had "Bethlehem" written on them, instead of "Jordan". Finding nothing special to buy, i went back to the bus and waited.

As soon as everyone finished, we proceeded our pilgrimage to the birthplace of Christ. It was late afternoon when we arrived to the Church of the Nativity. Our tour manager urged us to hurry inside before closing time. The setting sun and the rising evening contrasted the sky with shades of orange and purple. Outside the church courtyard and outlining the church itself, strings of flickering lights began to come alive and danced before us, welcoming us to come closer. A cool breeze blew as we stepped out of the bus.

It's always Christmas in Bethlehem.

-- original unedited manuscript "Remembering Israel"

Jewish cemetery, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem

OK! I'm addicted! Great job!

Bethlehem - Jerusalem border

((((MW))))! you came!!

Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity

I'm at a loss for words...Beautiful

(((Sherrie)))

King David's City was a majestic sand stone fortified wall enclosing what used to be the center of all major political, commercial, social and religious activities. Located on the high point of the rolling rocky hills, I imagine it was strategically built there for both optimal defense and offense during his time. As it stands now, several modifications and additions have been made through the years since, which only served to enhance it's stateliness.

The early morning skies were clear that day, and a few stars remained watching over us, as if to make sure we would arrive safely for our endeavor. The middle eastern air was cool and still. We wore light jackets as we entered through Lion's gate and made our way towards Station I.

Inside, the fully cobblestoned streets lined the way. We walked down the wide shallow steps that brought us to the starting point of the Via Dolorosa. We needed to arrive early in order to avoid the crowds that would surely occupy these streets later on. There was a christian quarter and a muslim quarter that we would be passing through. In between there are narrow streets and alleyways with several shops and side vendors that might distract any one of us. You cautioned us to stay within the path that was mapped out, until we safely reached the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

While waiting for the cross that we would be carrying to be brought over, a few shops had opened. Out of curiosity and perhaps defiance, I purposely wandered along the entrance of one or two of them, knowing it was something you would not approve of. In one of the shops selling treats, a middle-aged arab offered me tea. I noticed that you kept a distance near me and i saw a look in your face that made me decline the hospitality offered me. I felt a sense of apprehension and foreboding then and decided to return to the main group.

A few minutes passed and two men came carrying a large wooden cross. You announced that we would not be able to carry it all at the same time and would have to rotate, and take turns as to who will take the lead at the head of the cross.

I was not too keen on "taking up" that particular cross. I volunteered to take some of the cameras and began snapping pictures, instead. Our priest started the way of the cross by reciting the events of each station. You stayed a close distance behind as you observed our surroundings. Again, your attentiveness belied the protection you offered our group. Though, some of the small alleyways seemed to beckon me to enter and explore, I no longer felt the urge to stray away, lest i cause you trouble.

We continued on to the small side-streets that began to fill with with people and items displayed for sale. Each station we passed made us stop and switch positions, as the priest talked of its significance. At one point, you came up next to me, gave me a light nudge and urged me to take my turn with the cross. You did this twice when i refused, so i eventually obliged.

One by one we passed through the Roman numerals I to VII engraved or displayed on the walls or doorways of churches, convents and monasteries of christian, catholic, orthodox or coptic denominations. It was not long when we felt the sun rise and and we reached the ninth station. There we stopped, and relinquished the wooden cross before continuing on to the vicinity of the the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where stations X to XII were located.

In that area between where Jesus fell for the third time and where he was stripped of his garments, i was free to roam as i pleased. It was a few minutes walk to the church and the street in that area was almost empty, save for our group and a few locals that walked by. As the church was full of pilgrims and tourists, we had to wait for a few minutes just outside the plaza for our turn to enter. A few souvenir shops were open, some people went in. I stayed outside to explore the old structures, never venturing too far from your sight.


--- original unedited manuscript "Remembering Israel"

i will put in pictures later on...
Am i making you fall in love with Israel, as well?