ByGamaHarjono, executive summary by darmansjah
History ofholy landformedby politicsandbeliefs. The city isalsoa destinationcruisespecial.
"My security agents. Your objectiveinIsrael? "The question wasejectedfromthewearing lipgloss.
"My security agents. Your objectiveinIsrael? "The question wasejectedfromthewearing lipgloss.
After midnight, about 20 yearsold woman thatgreeted meat thebridgeplane.Iwas not evenflat on the floorBenGurionInternationalAirport, TelAviv.
"Oh, tovisit theHoly Land," Ianswered in aconvincing, thoughsleepy. The viewthatwomeninvestigate. At his side, the twocolleagueslookingfacial musclesthatlie, likethe techniques usedsecret agents. Their missionis onlyone: to thwart the effortsof terrorism inIsrael.
The firstHebrewstatein thelasttwomilleniumthisis not theusualcruisedestination. Inthe'hot', the word must sharespacetourismwith politicsand conflict. No wonderthe local governmentto controlhuman trafficarevery tight. As a result, I facethe samebarrage of questionsinthe boxnextimmigration. Half an hourthenthe immigration processis complete. Those who'pass'stampedstickersto be submittedto the officerat the dooroutside.Here, Iheaved asigh of relief.
Apparently, Iarrived at theresidentsprepare to celebratethe Sabbath. This is thefirst timein life. There are manynew things thatI learned.Iwas trying tounderstand its meaning. An hourbefore sunset, busesandtrainshave stopped operating.As a result, Ihad to walkto the old cityof Jerusalem-that fedsprings inthe desert.
Thegoldensunhanging low. JaffaStreetextends fromnew settlementstothe oldcity walls. Activityis sobustle.Istopped ata traditional marketJaffaCenter. The atmosphere tubfeast: buyersinvadethe fruitstalls, peopleboughteggs, bread, and canned food. Chickentradersdo notwant to lose,shoutinghawkingmerchandise.
"Anyone know how old Jerusalem? AskingDvir at the foot of the castle walls. The young man was smiling guide us-12-traveled people of different nations in the Old Town. We will cross the historic halls.
The answer is, no less than 3,000 years. The town is a source of tension at the top of the mountain plateau Moriah was less excuse than the great religions. "Jerusalem successive rulers: Persians, Greeks, Christians, Muslims, Christians, Muslims," said Dvir. "With any luck, the new ruler of justice. But they can also repel or destroy the minority.
"Israel took over the Old City from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War. At that time the Jews gathered to pray at the western wall. Israel's fear of Muslim anger, immediately return the rest of the complex to those who think the Haram Al-Sharif as a place of worship.
Dvir start the tour from Jaffa Gate. Its location, not far from the Tower of David. But now the location of the towers as well as the classic "First and Second Temple," Mount Temple (First and Second), building sacred to the Jewish people-no longer clear. I actually found traces of bullet-sized hole in the wall of the tower. Thus, the remains of all issues that split the nation of Israel and Palestine-the most easily erupt is a matter of the highest authority on Mount Moriah.
"Youknow, the Armenians werethe firstChristians," said the friendlyyouthisbombastic. Suddenly, puzzledfacesurgentexplanation.Is notChristianitywas broughtto Europeby the Romans? "Make no mistake, King Tiridatesgrand which made Christianitythe StatereligioninArmenia. They are thefirstChristiannationin the world."
So,Dviragain commented, "We stayinside. Wedo notexpand, butyoudo not comein."Herefers to thesettlement ofArmenianswerenicknamed" hush-hush quarter. "Armenian nationlived inthe complexcourtyardenclosedwith a doorheightof no more thanhalf. Theywould not leta strangercome in anddo themarriage"internal" to theyoungfellow. In this waythey managed to"survive" among the majority. Over the past1,700 years, the Armenians to "balance" between thetensionJews, Christians, and Muslims.
"Ironic is not it, Hurva means 'ruins' is a synagogue that was inaugurated in 2010. The entire neighborhood was bulldozed by Jordan and rebuilt by the Jews. "Dvir then explains Six Day War and other bloody clashes. Difficult to stem the tears at the thought of fighting human suffering in this holy city.
World standard infrastructure here. The entire hall in the old town is slick, and lighted signage in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Military and police manning guns dititik strategic, as well as hundreds of CCTV to record every angle. "You still think of the city's most 'cable' is London?" Asking Dvir pointing eastward.
Inthe Jewishsettlementof archaeological excavations, the remains ofa Romanstreetcardoaliasextends from northto south. "Since this is a residential area,undergroundminingis limited," said Dvir. ItisJerusalemundergroundhide the secret.There is adrainagetunnelformerJewishSecondTemple-era Jewish kingHerodwhocalled forthe killing ofall babiesin order topreventthe triumphof JesusChrist. Becausesopopular, this tunneltourbookingsmust besomemonths before.
Qubbat As-Sakhrah built in 691 AD, and was soon followed by the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Muslims started to respect this as a place which Prophet Mohammed started the journey to heaven in Miraj. "The same is believed location of the Jewish Temple, direction of prayerfor the Jews," said Dvir.
"Is there a conflict between Jews and Muslims?" Ask a Swedish tour participants. Dvir's brow furrowed. Diplomatic ability tested. "Currently there is no clash in the settlement. You know, now people are busy earning a living. "
Once arrived at the Western Wall or Wailing Wall, I came across the papers tucked in between the crack walls. Adherent Hebrews believed God read the messages written on the papers. Some Jews prayed fervently and occasionally rocking forward and back, like a trance. "You mean Shuckling" asked Dvir. "Oh, it's an expression, every person has his own style, there is a shake of his head." Apparently, shucklingbelieved by Jewish residents increased the intensity of prayer.
At13:40, the processionbeganblessingthe wine. Rows ofmen andwomenseparateleft and right. Withoutpermission, a rabbigavea prayerblessingplumpgrapesin Hebrew.
Occasional translation provided by an ultra-Orthodox Jewish American accent. "Shalom! We see the land of Israel is such a holy place. If you come to Israel, you take a piece of its essence. Bring openness! Then from the lips do not seem to reverberate, "Amen."
Mothers hooded open plastic bags, distributing nuts and pastries. A long-bearded man pouring wine and soft drinks for anyone. With them, I come to eat and drink. Not because of hunger and thirst. I appreciate any small gesture share it.
Crossing the Muslim settlement, our attention was diverted by a unique souvenir along David Street. In addition to the large, this region is also the most congested and crowded. Imagine 25,000 people live in the kiosks, stalls, restaurants, and the occasional minaret peeking in between the rows of fabric and miniature key ring.
"You know where we are?"Asking said Dvir glance crosses hanging on the side of the church. "Via Dolorosa?" Replied the man. Dvir nodded. Precisely, we were in the station (point marker) ninth. For Christians, Via Dolorosa (Path Passion) is an important pilgrimage destination through 14 stations where Jesus stood before the cross.
The uniqueness of this church is a universal value. At the time of the Crusades, knights coming from Europe to take back the place of pilgrimage. Today, the shrine dedicated to the various Christian denominations. Since the 12th century, the church key guarded by a Muslim family on the orders of Sultan Saladin, who allowed Christians and Jews living in the city.
From the roof, we passed the altar for the altar of incense smoke blackened eaten. Pastor robed unmoved guard in the corner. The line looked brittle at the altar of the Crucifixion of Christ.
Meanwhile, in the Stone "Unction" women and men are different skin colors and straight knees in silent prayer echoes. It is said that in this place the body of Christ prepared for burial.
The sun slowly approaching the horizon. Temple Mount Dome of the infamous golden rays radiating like a perennial. I feel the need to "recycle" the abundant sensation. For me, from many other cities, Al-Quds or Yerushalayim is the most special. Here humanity uniting separated children-all men.
Ah, that was it, the faint call to prayer echo from one minaret. To my surprise, the adzan could be broadcast to the city, although there pirouettearound the dome of the church and the synagogue. I am hopeful smile. So, praying and fulfilling dreams in the sky over Jerusalem.Not just a regular destination
ENTRY PERMIT, Jerusalem and the West Bank de facto controlled by Israel. Indonesia travelers need a passport and visa Israel. Indonesia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations. Visas are usually processed by the travel agency that offers religious tourism package. In addition, you may contact the representative of Israel in Singapore, Singapore.mfa.gov.il. Goisrael.com tourism site. Examination in Israel is very tight. Military and police checking documents on the road. Log in public places by checking machines and X-ray detector. set up time, at least three hours before flight departure. Ben Gurion Airport has fixed procedures: interrogation, unloading luggage, and a physical examination.
TIME ISRAEL,. GMT +2.
CURRENCY,. Israeli New Shekel (INS). Currency exchange can be done at the airport.
IMMIGRATION,. On the border of Israel, can request a stamp on a separate form. Israeli stamp in the passport does not allow incoming enemy country of Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia.
TRANSPORTATION; bus lines include be served by Egged Israel (egged.co.il / eng) and AND (dan.co.il / English), from INS 24. Also available to the Israel Railways Tel Aviv (rail.co.il, from INS 15). Transportin the West Bankare servedeggedandprivatebus(terminal near theDamascusGate). Transportation to Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus is limited and through Israeli military checkpoints. Contact information center at Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem, as access to the latest information the West Bank depends on the condition and state of emergency by the Israelis. Journey to Gaza peace organization specialized personnel.
ACCOMMODATION: Hostel Abraham (abrahamhostels.com, starting INS82); Hotel Al-Hashimi (www.hashimihotel.com, from INS 125); Austrian