The highlights – such as the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock – are in Jerusalem’s Old City, but modern Jerusalem which surrounds the Old City is more dynamic and interesting than many people give it credit for: Some of the residential neighborhoods in the hills surrounding the city: The Mount of Olives … Continue reading
It’s been a while since Israel and Jordan have been at war, but the border region between the West Bank and Jordan is nevertheless a grim place… …with plenty of mine fields and other obstacles to persuade the Jordanians that it wouldn’t be fun for them if they attacked Israel again. Not many people make … Continue reading
Tel Aviv reminded me a lot of a weird mix of Miami and Los Angeles… The second largest city in Israel, it is definitely the most modern and, as home to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange as well as numerous corporate offices and R&D centers, is the most economically significant. Secular and cosmopolitan, Tel Aviv … Continue reading
A view down into the city of Nablus from Mount Gerizim: Upon making the offhand comment in Israel that we were traveling to Nablus, the reaction was almost always one of horror and a warning that Nablus was full of militants and/or terrorists. I suppose this is somewhat understandable. The Battle of Nablus that took place … Continue reading
This was once the site of a major Soviet base with a large airfield and many troops… Now it is little more than a few hollowed out buildings. Will the American adventure in Afghanistan end in a similar fashion? Death and destruction (on both sides) with no permanency other than graves and rusting war machinery? Continue reading
The largest pyramid in the world is the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico. Never heard of it? Surprisingly few people have… However, the Guinness Book of World Records, has documented that the Great Pyramid of Cholula is not only the largest pyramid in the world, but is also the largest monument constructed anywhere in … Continue reading
An empty North Korean highway: One will see some cars and other vehicles in Pyongyang. I wouldn’t go so far to say that there is traffic, but one will at least look both ways before crossing a street in the capital city. This contrasts rather strangely with the countryside of North Korea where one can … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 