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March 22, 2010
Israel: Living life to the fullest
Jerusalem is one of my favorite cities. For one thing, I love its history. An archaeologist’s dream, it’s one of the oldest cities in the world—and a sacred place for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. It’s also incredibly beautiful. When the sun shines down on the Old City, the gilded roof of the Dome of the Rock reflects its brilliance on the surrounding sandstone walls, so that the entire city just gleams.
But what impresses me most about Jerusalem, and every other city in Israel, is the people who live there. Far from being shy and retiring, Israelis are spirited, sociable, and full of passion—for their families, for their country, and for life itself. They’re not afraid to speak their minds and “tell it like it is,” and while this straight-shooting approach may take some getting used to, their honesty is refreshing. As I see it, Israelis truly appreciate how precious life is, because they’re acutely aware of the possibility that, at any given moment, it could end (or drastically change). Proud and defiant, the people of Israel don’t let anything stop them from living their lives …and I hope they never will.
Have you been similarly inspired by the people you’ve met during your travels? If so, tell me about them at harriet@oattravel.com.
And in the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring Africa, Turkey, and Patagonia. If you’ve explored these destinations with OAT, I’d love to hear your stories—and see your pictures! Email them to me at harriet@oattravel.com.
Harriet Lewis