Jerusalem
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This is one of the most resonant cities in the world. And it attracts its fair share of Messiahs. I wasn't tempted to give that a go - many (as you'll recall) met rather sticky ends. Their modern counterparts end up in a very large out-of-town psychiatric unit. This is Jerusalem as it was in 1993 - obviously things have changed a bit since then...

This is the Western Wall, part of Herod's temple complex, which was totally destroyed by the Romans in 70CE. The Dome of the Rock was getting a new coating of gold back in 1993, so you miss a bit of its splendour in this photo. It's very impressive, though.

Apologies for the obligatory camel shot. This is at the Jaffa Gate. The empty area to the left is where there should be a wall - however the Turkish Sultan demolished part of it, early in World War 1 to allow Kaiser Wilhelm's motorcade to enter Jerusalem in triumph. I prefer the camel myself, but presumably someone has to clear up the shit from time to time.

This is the Damascus gate, one of the main gates to the Old City. Outside it is a popular place for people just to hang out and eat falafel. It's a good place to start a tour of the Old City walls.

We're looking out eastwards towards the Mount of Olives here. The construction on the left is part of the Temple Mount (Haram esh-Sharif). The ruins are of old Roman and Herodian era buildings.

It's probably not where Jesus was buried, but the Garden Tomb is nonetheless probably very like the original place would have been, and it does date from approximately the right era. It's a very serene place, and well worth a visit. The guides give a very good running commentary, even if you're not into religion, or are of a different persuasion from Evangelical Protestant.

Worshipers at the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod's temple in Jerusalem. It's right beside the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.

 

Military service is compulsory in Israel, but many of the soldiers do get a bit of a break now and again. These chaps were having a rest outside the Israel Museum. Some of them look way too young to be toting rifles.


 

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