Slouching Towards Bethlehem

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After Jordan, I spent a week in Israel.
Jerusalem is a fascinating city crammed full of too much history for its own good.
You might think you have problems with your neighbours, but at least your disputes don’t have a 2000-year-old history.

The Dome of the Rock.IMG_15425

The Western Wall is a place where people use various methods to try and talk to god.

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Looking for a message from above.IMG_15533

I visited Bethlehem in the Palestinian Territory.  There is a big “peace” wall dividing the Palestinian Territory from the rest of Israel.  It is decorated with graffiti, peace slogans, as well as advertising for nearby restaurants.

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The end times are prophesised when the Antichrist arrives in the Holy Land. I encountered not one, but two devils on the streets of Jerusalem.

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The Devil took time out to get a tattoo.IMG_15524

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Rolls towards Bethlehem to be born?IMG_15518

I visited Masada, the Jewish mountain fortress where rather than surrender to the Romans, a group of almost 1000 Jews killed themselves.  Personally I think they made a bad choice.  Let yourself be killed by a bunch of zealots (in the original sense of the word) or join up with the empire famed for its pizza, orgies and The Sopranos.

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I stopped by the Dead Sea for a float.IMG_15584

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I had a look in the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.IMG_15598

I also visited Acre, last of the Crusader cities to fall.IMG_15630

13 Comments on “Slouching Towards Bethlehem”

  1. Ah, Aidan, doing it tough as always … enjoy mate, your work here is just piling higher…
    😉

  2. @Phil.
    I’m sure my colleagues are efficiently and swiftly dealing with any issues that might have arisen. 🙂

  3. Hi Aidan,

    You do get to some very interesting places. Thanks for your great photos and comments. Now you are missing amazing sunny weather in Melbourne. Great for gardening!

    Best wishes
    from Denise

  5. I find your wit appalling.

    “Let yourself be killed by a bunch of zealots (in the original sense of the word) or join up with the empire famed for its pizza, orgies and The Sopranos.” – really? is that the best you can do? Shape out, or I’ll send my goons around to “whack you”

  8. As usual, great photos and clever “Aidan-speak” captioning, keep ’em coming!

  10. Great photos Aidan.
    Enjoy the rest of your travels and see back at Book Club some time. We’re currently reading Robert Harris’ Imperium.

    Cheers,
    K

  11. Hi Aidan,

    Thanks for shareing these photos!
    Your photos are always great!

    I’m glad to see cute devils and seductive scenery.
    You let me know what there are in new places.

    Thanks!

    nao