By Gama Harjono, executive summary by darmansjah
History of holy land formed by politics and
beliefs. The city is also a destination cruise
special.
"My security agents. Your objective in Israel? "The question was ejected from the wearing lip gloss.
"My security agents. Your objective in Israel? "The question was ejected from the wearing lip gloss.
After
midnight, about 20 years old woman that greeted me at the
bridge plane. I
was not even flat on the floor Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel
Aviv.
"Oh, to visit the Holy
Land," I answered in a
convincing, though sleepy. The view that
women investigate. At his side, the two colleagues
looking facial muscles that lie, like the techniques used secret agents. Their mission is only one:
to thwart the efforts of terrorism in
Israel.
The
first Hebrew
state in the last
two millenium this is not the usual
cruise destination. In the 'hot',
the word must share space tourism with politics and
conflict. No wonder the local
government to control human
traffic are very tight. As a result, I face the
same barrage of questions in
the box next immigration.
Half an hour then the immigration process is complete. Those who 'pass' stamped
stickers to be submitted to the officer at the door outside. Here, I heaved
a sigh of relief.
Apparently, I arrived at the residents prepare to celebrate the Sabbath. This is the first time in
life. There are many new things
that I learned. I was trying to understand its meaning. An hour before sunset, buses
and trains have
stopped operating. As a result, I
had to walk to the old city of Jerusalem-that fed
springs in the desert.
The golden sun hanging low. Jaffa Street extends from new settlements to the old city walls. Activity
is so bustle. I
stopped at a traditional market Jaffa Center. The atmosphere tub feast: buyers
invade the fruit stalls,
people bought eggs,
bread, and canned food. Chicken traders do not
want to lose, shouting hawking merchandise.
"Anyone
know how old Jerusalem? Asking Dvir 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.
We explored one at a settlement in the area that is formed as the
last battlefield for
the glory of God in the various
traditions of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Initially I suspect
there are only three settlements-based nation by force.
Apparently there were four: Armenia.
"You know, the Armenians were the first Christians," said the friendly youth is bombastic. Suddenly, puzzled faces urgent explanation. Is not Christianity was brought to Europe by the Romans? "Make no mistake, King Tiridates grand which made Christianity the State religion in Armenia. They are the first Christian nation in the world. "
So, Dvir again commented, "We stay inside. We do not expand, but you do not come in. "He refers to the settlement of Armenians were nicknamed" hush-hush quarter. "Armenian nation lived in the complex courtyard enclosed with a door height of no more than half. They would not let a stranger come in and do the marriage "internal" to the young fellow. In this way they managed to "survive" among the majority. Over the past 1,700 years, the Armenians to "balance" between the tension Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
We went on tour,
to Jewish settlement. On the Sabbath,
the main square looks relaxed. Orthodox
residents sitting in the garden, keluaraga prams across the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue in the 10 years.
"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.
Dvir then pointed toward the east. 360 degree view of the skyline.
Outside the city walls seem Mount of Olives,
a site sacred to the
major religions. It is said that
Jesus was crying at
the top of the hill while the Jewish Second Temple consult the star collapse. Meanwhile, inside the city walls, at the foot of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Archaeological Park , the ruins of Roman
pillar exhibit, a silent witness
to the city's heyday in the classic era.
In the Jewish settlement of archaeological excavations,
the remains of a Roman street cardo
alias extends from north to south. "Since this is a residential area, underground mining is limited," said Dvir. It is Jerusalem underground hide the secret. There is a drainage tunnel
former Jewish Second Temple-era
Jewish king Herod who called for the
killing of all babies in order to
prevent the triumph of Jesus Christ. Because
so popular, this
tunnel tour bookings must be some months
before.
We were right
in the heart of Jerusalem. I can not see the
beauty of mosaic Qubbat As-sakrah (Dome of the Rock),
because it is closed to non-Muslims. The third holiest
site for Muslims is able to
withstand an earthquake that knocked down Al-Aqsa Mosque and other buildings. Masterpieces of this octagonal
limestone towers over Mount Moriah.
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 prayer for 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, shuckling believed by Jewish residents increased the intensity of prayer.
At 13:40, the procession began blessing
the wine. Rows of men and women separate
left and right. Without permission, a rabbi gave
a prayer blessing plump grapes in 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.
Around the corner
St. Helena Church. Dvir was serious, "you
see the field of cement? It is
actually church roof. Jerusalem
is so small, every inch counts. "An Ethiopian priest gray green robes
faithfully sitting on the roof of the church. Ethiopia
is more famous for its food shortage problem turned out to be significant
communities in the old city. "Quota"
Ethiopian Christian community is just a roof. But make no
mistake, this is the roof of the Church
of Saint Sepulchre. They say Jesus was crucified in
this place.
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.
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 pirouette
around 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.
CLIMATE ISRAEL,. Relatively warm all know. Winter from December to February. The best time visit from March
to October. Avoid
September, the full moon day of the Jewish feast, where public services stopped
and the museum closed.
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). Transport in the West Bank are served egged and private
bus (terminal near
the Damascus Gate).
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
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