visit the Holy Land

it was the expedition of my lifetime.i held my wired notebook and travelled to wherever i was allowed to go.the wall, with the infinite amounts of graffiti on it, one of a window looking out to the other side (but was a mere image).the long waits on checkpoints,within palestine, to travel to another city..taking over 3 hours when it only needed a half.the refugee camps..the 2 meter gaps in between the torn buildings, children roaming,the laughter alleviating the pains and darkness.it was a trip that left a mark.and i just cant wait to go back.

The history, passion, and pride of such a place really ignites my ambitions. . . I want to make a difference there. Ive read all about it but to see first hand~

[girl struggling to contain herself]

I want to go already!

I think it would be incredibly powerful to be re-baptized in the River Jordan. I know it isn’t required, but it would be incredible to do.

being a catholic would be the most amazing thing to visit the land of jesus. See all the landmarks of the bible and experience first hand the culture and the life of where he lived.

Spent two weeks primarily in the West Bank. Life under occupation is depressing…the separation wall, checkpoint, roadblocks, water shortages, home demolition, military presence.

So hard to see Palestinians having to live in such conditions. Met some in refugee communities who’s families have been refugees since 1948.

See this entry.

Anyone Jewish and between the ages of 18-27 can go to Israel for abosulutely free for 10 days with a program called Birthright. You can google it. (You don’t have to be 100% Jewish)

Id give just about anything to go to visit the Holy Land and see with my own eyes the things described in the bible. To walk where our Savior walked and be rebaptized in the Jordan would truly be a life-changing event for me.

I have very different reasons why I want to travel to Israel:
1. It’s the birthplace of three world religions and you can’t understand the actual political situation there without knowing anything about the history.
2. As a catholic I want to walk on historic grounds and visit the place where Jesus lived.
3. As a german I have to face the past and the crimes which were committed to the jewsish people in the name of the germans 60 years ago. Because of that I want to visit Yad Vashem to bow myself in respect for the 6 million innocent jews, killed by the Nazis…

I’ve been to Israel twice, including parts that are now Egypt, for a total of around 4 months. It was awe-inspiring. I am Catholic and for some time traveled with a Jewish group so I saw many diverse aspects of the country. I hung out with Arabs, Christians and Jews (and Druse!) and learned book-loads of fascinating things.

Get yourself in good shape because you will want to do a lot of walking, trekking, actually, see the Negev desert, wander through the old city section of Jerusalem, and climb to the top of Masada for sunrise.

THE BEST way to experience the country is to take a short tour (1 week or so), and then spend another 2 weeks on your own.  It is a small place, you can see it all.  In fact, I know people who have hiked from one end to another numerous times.   Read a lot before you go- you'll want to learn history- incluing Roman and Byzantine- to really appreciate all that you see.