Holy Land (Israel & Jordan)

Jordan

I cannot say much about Amman apart from the arrogance of the border control while exiting the airport. After all coming from Cairo, I didn’t expect much from them. The people along the way where helpful, unlike Cairo did not expect money after giving you direction. The cab drivers were a lot more honest expect for the ones that I met when I arrived who charged me 4 times the normal rate. I didn’t realize they also took 60 dinar extra from me until I got to my hotel. I am glad I left the city and went to Petra.

My time with the Bedouin at the ancient valley was fantastic. It’s amazing how little people can have and remain so cheerful, honest and grateful. Petra is very important to Bedouin. Every day they drift across the desert to control the Red- Rose City. The B’doul (desert dwellers) lives in the desert caves act as tour guides, provides music and entertainment, camel, horses, donkey rides and portion of their meal to visitors. When they forgot my name they often referred to me as the “Rasta, Caramel or Nubian Queen” which I thought was hilarious. My hair is coiled but not locked into dreads. They recited anecdotes about movies, previous visitors and even other Bedouin throughout the day. The traditional males in the valley are gorgeous, beautiful eyes, skin and hair. The black markers in their eyes are quite exotic.

I suggest from Amman to take a Jett Bus for 20 Dinars round trip if you are short on time to Petra as local buses for 5 dinars are unpredictable. No later than the day before purchase a “Jordan Pass” from http://jordanpass.jo/ as it must be printed to provide at border control. This pass for only 70 dinar covers: the visa entrance fee to Jordan, entrance fee to Petra cost ranging from 55 to 90 dinar and one free admission to all major historical sites, castles and more.

Once at Petra, the horses are included in the entrance fees. I suggest you hop on one as the journey will be long. 2 dinar is enough as a service charge for the short horse ride. Arrive as soon as the site is open to start your journey, on your way out if you can afford it get on a donkey for no more than 10 dinar to the exit. If not, rest at one of the local restaurant on your way down.

When you get near the colorful Siq and you get your first peak of The Treasury of Petra, you realize what all the hype is about. The area is vast I did it in a day but it was a workout and it gets HOT. Most of the action is carved into the sides of the cliffs. The High Place of Sacrifice is a 20 minutes walk up the cliffs for great views of the Petra area. The Monastery is at the end of 500 steps and a total of 50 minutes uphill walk from the Treasury.

 Israel

Renewing my baptism is what prompted me to go to Israel. This journey has been the most
amazing and successful experience I had thus far traveling. It is certainly not what I expected. My voyage started in Jerusalem. Can you believe my host was Jewish. Coming from New Jersey and 2 years living in a Jewish community the only time I interacted with a Jew has been strictly business related; apart from that, they weren’t approachable.  Of course my manager is an expectation, he is also Jewish.

It is completely the opposite in Jerusalem. Occasionally you will meet some Orthodox ones who look at you from the corner of their eyes. Many of them are so humble, kind, welcoming.  I admire their culture, strict discipline and simplicity. There is so much history there that even with a guide book I was missing so much. As soon as I recruited a guide who was shockingly Jewish I learned so much. I said “shockingly” based on the impartial manner he described the history of religion, the beginning of civilization and the trail Jesus.

Jerusalem is a must see territory whether religious or atheist. I expected the culture to be arrogant based on the various religious tales about Jewish society. Instead when I arrived at night in downtown Jerusalem it felt as if I landed in Hoboken, New Jersey. The young folks of modern Orthodox Jews and Christians dress in western attire, some wandering the streets, others at an eatery. All ready to talk about life in the states, politics and me of Jerusalem.

The following morning took a stroll in the Old City. What I always envision religion to be, already existed long before me: the concept of the Western Wailing, where people of all Nation unite to glorify “one God”. I literally cried when I got there, the experience was emotional and magical. The Muslims were facing the Wall on one side and the Jews and Christians on the opposite side together in one location praying this Higher Being. I could not imagine the distance people traveled in the past. Sometimes certain things should be experienced as words don’t do justice.

I traveled from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Galilee, to Bethlehem in the West Bank. The experience got better as I explored. It is strange how economic disparity is also as apparent there too. The rich are wealthy, it shows from where they eat, the lounges they frequent, shops and even their modernize style and behavior. While the poor are very unfortunate. Not until visiting Jerusalem did I visualize poor Jews, every one of them I know in the state are high stake asset holders.  But there in the Old City many are begging for donations. I was told it was due to their culture practices and the high birth rate as in all deprived communities.

The best and most affordable method of transportation from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv is the Shuriot for 24 shekels. It is a shared taxi asked anyone for their pick up locations. I also caught one from the airport for 65 shekels to Jerusalem and they take you directly to your destination. The railroad system when in Jerusalem is reliable, consistent, modern, inexpensive and runs throughout the city. Bethlehem is less than one hour from the Old City in Jerusalem. We rented a car. I recruited a tour guide in the West Bank to help at the border as the guide in Jerusalem was not allowed to cross to the Palestinian sector. Abraham Tours is flawless. I suggest you recruit them for a tour from the various options available.

My next destination in Israel was of course Tel Aviv. This city where you never sleep, all night long you will find people partying in some clubs downtown until sunrise, walking on the beach and even having a midnight swim. It is the perfect location to go out, partying on the rooftop, have some late dinners and shisha “hookah”, going to the market and the beach. Stay at Florentine Backpackers Hostel and your entire journey can be spectacular. I mean they were always in party mode. The things that went on… Many of us felt we were back in college on Thursday nights every hour of the day.

The amazing variety of food in Israel is mouthwatering. The vegetarian meals are flavorful with a bit of “charif” (which means spices) unlike the tasteless ones I am used to in the states. I was reluctant at first but I indulged all day long after the first try, from: hummus, shwarma, jachnun, shakshooka, falafels to sabich and many other meals that I never heard of in my life.