Recently a friend of mine visited me in the Holy Land. We rented a car for a few days and went on some trips to the main cities and canon places. On one day we arrived in Jerusalem. I showed my Christian friend one of the most memorable places in Israel, "Yad Vashem" - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. We've already been to the other symbolic and cult places during her first visit to Israel.
After that we decided to watch the sunset from the Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet, the one where Jesus Christ prayed before he was arrested. It's a stunning location with amazing views of the city. Unfortunately, it's in the Eastern Jerusalem which means that it's situated on territories, a part of the land that was occupied (according to UN resolution only) by Israel in 1967. It's kind of Arab hood where even today Jews actually are not pleased with sincerity and hospitality.
First, we missed the highway exit that needed and then I saw an increasing number of signs pointing the way to Ramallah, starting worrying. My friend was not kind of frightened person and in general she is not very familiar with local realities and history.
So, we arrived at the mount, passed something like an observation deck and we drove a little deeper into the mountains. Number of police cars and people with weapons was growing exponentially. I realized that we drove to the heart of the Arab neighborhood. I saw amount of bald noisy people, mostly men and no signs in Hebrew anywhere around. (Without any prejudices, I hope it's clear for you that it's not the best place for a touristic visit for a bespectacled Jewish boy and a sexy European looking girl in short shorts and a t-shirt without bra under). All in all we launched the car and dumped out.
We sat down on the white stones of the garden on the hillside in front of the evening city. The sun was already setting like a bloody red spot.
At 7:30pm an evening Muslim prayer began. As we got there through the Eastern part the mosques and minarets were illuminated by green light and the song of muezzin filled the city. The Old City was full of the lights and we lighted the joint following it. So, it was highly (if you know what I mean) unusual sunset. Frankly, I would think twice the next time to move a driver who doesn’t familiar with location through the Eastern Jerusalem.
one of the best experiences of my life - 2 weeks in Israel for a wedding - tour from top to bottom and it was fantastic. Love the photos, didnt get to the Mouunt, but did get to the ascension Mount where Christ assends into heaven. Amazing place and country.
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