Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Jerusalem


We’ve just spent a week in Jerusalem. I was dubious about going. I’m not a great traveller but there were several reasons why I forced encouraged myself to go.

1.  I’d never been to Israel before.
2.  Everyone kept telling me that I had to go at least once in my life.
3.  When my Dad was very ill [he died in 1977] he said how he wished he'd gone to Israel.

So I went. This was my first view of the Old City. It didn’t fill me with awe but with trepidation...
A view of the outer wall from Jaffa Gate.

...because this was how we got lost in the Old City.
Don't know where we were, but it was somewhere in the Old City!

 This was the start of our second day and the moment I fell in love with Jerusalem

View from our hotel window as the sun rose over Jerusalem.
I don’t know how it happened but the rest of the week flew by in an emotional whirlwind. We went to Masada and floated in the Dead Sea.

Cable car about to take us up Masada.

A view of the Dead Sea from the top of Masada.

We walked right down to the Western Wall.
Men's section of the Western Wall.

And I was sad when it was time to come home.
El Al Departure Lounge and, yes, that clock does say 4.40 am!
I have a feeling that we’ll be going back sometime soon to see a bit more of that amazing country but first I have to get my head out of the El Al clouds and back into doing some writing. This isn’t going to be easy.


23 comments:

  1. Once you fall in love with Jerusalem, you remain in love (from my experience). Come back soon!

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  2. So pleased you had such a good time...and it certainly was time to do something for you! I think a week's sunshine, rest and trying new experiences could just spark your creativity.

    Writing this new blog has done me good already....still need to get away though!

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  3. Welcome back! What a wonderful experience. I would love to visit Jerusalem.

    Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I missed you, but can see you had a wonderful time away and I know one you so deserved. Thanks for sharing some of those moments. Hugs x

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  5. Good for you! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. Glad you enjoyed it. I went as a child, so I didn't know enough to be awed. Now I have young children, so the timing isn't right. Welcome home!

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  6. Now you've been once, I'm sure you'll be back. It has that magnetic, magic pull.
    I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, although I didn't doubt for a minute that you would :-)
    The photos are beautiful.
    Come back soon

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  7. Wow! Sounds like you had a wonderful experience. The pictures are lovely!

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  8. What wonderful pictures. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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  9. Hi Rosalind, lovely to hear you went to Jerusalem and enjoyed your time there. It's kind of like the religious capital of the world in those areas. I wonder if you experienced any spiritual growth on your holiday there?

    Duncan In Kuantan

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  10. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, so glad to hear about it. Glad to have you back.

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  11. Hoe exciting! Lovely photos,I hope there's more to come. Holidays are good for the soul.

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  12. I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip to Jerusalem! Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. That must've been stressful when you got lost, but I'm relieved that you found your way. Julie

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  13. Very cool. The pictures are inspiring --except maybe the airport photo. ;)

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  14. How wonderful! My in-laws went to Israel last year and had a blast. What beautiful pictures. I would love to go to the Holy Land someday!

    Amy

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  15. It sounds like a wonderful trip! And no doubt your head will be full of all kinds of new ideas for writing!

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  16. I've never been to Israel and for some reason it's never been in my top 10 of places I'd want to go.
    After reading your post and seeing your pictures, I'm starting to think it should be.

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  17. Wanted to let you know I'm back to blogging under my real name and a new photo. Your trip must have been very interesting and I can understand that you are happy you went.

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  18. I'm so glad you went to the Holy Land, Rosalind. I haven't been since the 80s. You know, as much as it's changed, it looks the same. I got happy chills for you looking at the pictures.
    Shabbat shalom,
    xoRobyn

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  19. Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I'm still feeling dozy from the event so it'll take me a while to re-launch myself into blog-land!

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  20. Just catching up with reading about your trip, how wonderful! Love the photos, and it's fun to read along and feel like I am taking a virtual tour. So glad you had such a great time!

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  21. Hi Ros .. loved seeing the pics - and getting your feeling of need to go again to Jerusalem and Israel - interesting .. I've never been interested .. but perhaps now = yes! One day ..
    cheers Hilary

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  22. As above give a nice Jerusalem picture. The Jaffa Gate and masada is very popular place in jerusalem. I am also interested to visit this nice post.

    jerusalem hotels

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