In-between my journey between Europe and Asia when I was 17, I managed to squeeze a week in the Middle East when I was 17. While I was travel teaching in Romania my grandmother decided that I should have an opportunity to go on a 3 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. During that period the construction of the 19 Terraces and the ARC had just started. Much of the mountain was still dirt. 
Nonetheless, I traveled there with Lois, a Baha’i from Mexico who was with us in Romania. When he found out I was going to Israel he immediately said he would join me.
We stayed in Haifa for three days. It was like another world again. After three days we left for Jerusalem where we spent the remaining 4 days. If you have ever had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land, you will know the stark contrast of spirit and atmosphere that is felt when you visit the Holy Spots in Jerusalem vs. the Holy places in Haifa. Of all the places in Jerusalem, the only place that really touched us was the Wailing Wall in the Jewish quarter. Lois noted how for the Jewish people, this wall was all they had left as far as history was concerned. While in Jerusalem we stayed in a hostel that was rather… well… hostile. … and while walking the streets I recall experiencing a bomb threat first hand. It was really quite eerie because everything in the street just stopped, and we had no idea what was going on until we asked someone what happened. Once the threat was over, everyone just started again.
I don’t have many pictures because many of them did not turn out very good. This one you see here was a favorite in China. I was asked to make several copies of it for some of my friends to keep. They called it ‘The Hero’ picture. Not Superman, but oh well, I’ll take it.
I am looking forward to seeing the Holy Land again someday soon. I know it has changed a lot in the 15 years since I have seen it. It is more beautiful than ever, and I would like very much to make it a proper 9 day pilgrimage this time around.
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