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| The cityscape of Jerusalem |
I don’t need to elaborate
history but as expected, traveling Israel from the UAE is not a piece of cake.
We had separate interviews even before we check in our things in Dubai terminal
airport alone. We haven’t done anything yet, and yes, before checking in
there’s a separate lobby with 6 freestanding single counters (about 6 feet away
from each one) where you’ll be interviewed by a security personnel. Imagine my
anxiety when I was interviewed about myself, my job position, years of stay in
Dubai and how I’m related to my friends I was traveling with. But worry not,
nothing life threatening; the lady security (or whatever her position was) who
seemed nice and collected shared that the interview is for everyone’s safety.
We understood and respected the protocol but took us more than half an hour
before we were given the badge (a small piece of paper with some numbers
printed on it). You have to keep it until the screening at the Tel Aviv airport
after the immigration. After the more than 2 hours of flight (to which I just
spent reading a novel in my kindle), unfortunately for us, one of my friends
was held off in the Tel Aviv airport’s security screening where we were asked
again a few quick questions before they let us out. Also, we were asked to show
the badge given to us in Dubai international airport. My friend who was held
off took another 2 hours in queue waiting, and waiting for his interview yet
again. It was exasperating at past 3 in the morning though my friends was
actually in a better mood than I was. I felt groggy and hungry; my eyes are
burning tired because of binge-reading during the flight; and I was praying to God to let us out in full attendance to travel Jerusalem in
peace. As luck would have it, God is good indeed as at 5 in the morning, in our Airbnb house, we’re ALL ready to conquer 3 hours
of sleep (or less) before our first itinerary of the day. Such a whirlwind!
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| A snap of myself with the Dome of the Rock (a Islamic Shrine) in the background |
I blogged the Part 1 and Part 2 of our trip though I skipped some photos and some narratives but you can check out my Instagram account for reels. To that being said, our trip to Gethsemane is quick but fun. Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where according to the four Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus Christ underwent “the agony in the garden” (and was arrested before his crucifixion).
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| The garden, the bell tower and part of the window of the Church of All Nation |
I honestly imagined a place where even if you scream, no one
will ever hear you cry your lungs out. But in person, you can survey it’s
perimeter in maybe 15 or less minutes depending on how you seize your
surroundings. It was impeccably maintained though and very instagramable. After
some quality minutes, a photo opt is inevitable. Like, how many times did I say
a selfie is a must? Imagine: walking and feeling that you’re just a few inch or
a feet away from the Lord Jesus Christ in these holy places thousands of years
ago, ahh.
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| A good spot for photo opt. Not allowed to cross the fence though. |
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| The Church of All Nation |
The stunning Byzantine architecture style Basilica or The
Church of All Nation, along the side of the garden, was constructed A.D. 380 -
1,642 years ago!
The basilica’s frontage was
utterly divine when you get to see it’s detail, like literally a few inches
away from my face. I even knocked on the walls, reached the ionic style capital
(which I can’t, obviously) and touched the column shaft then closed my eyes to
feel anything like as if it will take me anywhere back in time. By
the way, I posted the interior
of the Basilica on my Instagram account. The lighting was
dimmed (to mute down chaotic tourists flocking), though you can still see
colors and details vividly. It could have been an epic experience had the
designer incorporated just a bit more natural light in the church’s nave or
altar.
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| Stunning Byzantine details |
Anyway, the old city of
Jerusalem is characterized by architecture not only of ancient structures but
of the winding streets, and alleyways. Same applies to the new city of
Jerusalem where there’s modern shops, restaurants and dope atmosphere in
general.
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| I know it's dangerous but a super quick snap in the middle of the tram railway in the new city is a must for tourist, apparently. |
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| Part of the Jerusalem outside the vicinity of the Old City |
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| An interesting sighting: a protractor! |
The total budget of our
travel is about 4,000 AED each person, as good thing we manage to snatch a
plane ticket on sale. The budget, as we know varies on food and splashing on
souvenirs. A friend who is traveling at the end of this year, booked a
Jerusalem group tour for about 3,000 AED that includes airfare (via Abu Dhabi
airport) and a hotel with breakfast and lunch.
Random interesting shots below:
Nothing much to share about our Dead Sea adventure though
the weather is very humid like in the Philippines; the salt water will
definitely keep you afloat. We stayed for a couple of minutes and that's just
about it. We checked out the souvenir shop where they have products made
from the dead sea itself. One of my friends bought this magnetic dead sea mud
mask which apparently has anti-ageing benefits. I only hope it works as it is
very costly.
Finally, a favorite
interior of the Church
of Saint Catherine in Bethlehem.
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| The altar view and the exterior shots |
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| The stunning colonnade |
I felt my face lit up upon reaching the nave (with high
ceiling). After a prayer, I took my time to appreciate architecture.
Should I be
traveling Jerusalem Israel (and Bethlehem) again? Absolutely, yes, but with a
tour guide perhaps next time. Also, hopefully the airport security measure will
improve as not to waste a lot of time and energy.
If you’re to ask me what’s the best part of this travel? In particular, I’d pick the realization (in the Old City) of how difficult it was for Jesus to walk on slopes, ramps and slopes with steps carrying a solid wood cross heavier than him. Visit Jerusalem to see and feel the very foundation of your faith.
See you in my next travel adventure blog. xx
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