Thursday, January 31, 2013

FAREWELL JERUSALEM!





There is nothing unique about these photographs taken near Jaffa Gate . However, they are special to me for being the last two snaps I took from Jerusalem. During my 29 months tenure in Israel I experienced an amazing land of extraordinarily rich history with some gorgeous nature and wonderful people. When I started this blog it was mainly meant to upload photographs from places that are associated with the Holy Bible. However, it gradually turned out to be a process of not just knowing the land and its people, but also learning how deep and strong is the bond between the Jewish people and their ancestral land. Out of all the nooks and corners I have been in Israel , I feel there is no place as enchanting and unique as Jerusalem.

Looking back, I realize that I have made 36 visits to Jerusalem alone (excluding its neighborhoods), and most of them exclusively to the Old City. What’s more special is that for every trip, she had something new to offer me and that didn’t stop until my last visit. No wonder when I tried to figure out the number of sites I couldn’t make it through, it turned out to be a long list. Some were inaccessible due to religious-political complexities and others were under renovation or closed to public or opened at special occasions only. A few of them I avoided intentionally due to photography not being allowed. More sites keep on piling up as fresh archaeological excavations come out with interesting findings at regular intervals.  Maybe that’s one reason why I should say L'shanah Haba'a B'yerushalayim!!