Brief Update

I've known for quite a while now that a blog post has been long overdue. To be honest, it's been difficult for me to find something to write about. Yes, yes, I know there are millions of new experiences and quite a lot, I'm sure, that you're hearing in the news. However, one thing I've learned, very quickly, is that life isn't black and white. I could talk about many things of interest, but I would not feel as if I am doing them justice. With that being said, I hope soon to write a bit on the political happenings over here, as I have seen and experienced them, along with other posts, of course.

Until then, know that all of the YAGMs are very safe. We of course have safety precautions and plans, but please know that things are very calm over here (the news does tend to sensationalize protests in any part of the world). There is an air of peace, but still determination, on the whole of those at the rallies and protests for Palestinian statehood.

It is a very exciting time to be in Palestine :)


Until my next post, here are some pictures taken during these first few weeks. All of them are in or looking at the Old City of Jerusalem.

The Ninth Station on the Via Dolorosa (Old City, Jerusalem). For those who participate in walking the Via Dolorosa ("Way of Sorrows/Grief/Suffering") and remembering the Stations of the Cross, this is the place of remembering  the third time Jesus fell on his way to Golgatha. You can see the wooden crosses many faithful walkers have left at this station (taking a wooden cross into the remaining stations is not really possible, methinks). This image, and the fact that these crosses represented one aspect of the faithfulness of Christians really hit home.

While touring the Old City a few weeks ago, I was able to see quite a bit of archaeological sites (which always seems to be mixed in with the modern life of Jerusalem). This here is a replica of part a mosaic map of Jerusalem, known as the Madaba Map, which dates to the 6th century AD. There is a lot of symbolism throughout (and it really does work as a map if you know what you're looking at). The church depicted bottom center is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

A picture of the Dome of the Rock looking in from the East. On the far right of the city walls (about halfway up the picture) you can see the Eastern Gate (aka: Golden Gate) which is believed by many to be the gate which the Messiah will use to enter Jerusalem. For many Jews this means the Messiah, for many Christians this means the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (as well as the memory of Jesus entering through this gate on Palm Sunday). I can't do justice to all of the interesting things about this gate, but do note that it is now sealed (as it has been for about 12 centuries). There is also a cemetery in front of the gate (those buried there believed they would be among the first to be raised). Perhaps more on this later; this gate and the Temple Mount and Al-Aqsa Mosque are of keen interest to me.