Palestine/Israel

Most of my journey in 2011 was spent exploring the Old City of Jerusalem with its narrow alleys and stunning religious sites. I experienced all the different sides of Jerusalem walking in its ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, Christian quarters and Palestinian neighborhoods. I was struck by the extremely different atmosphere of Jerusalem’s youthful Western side, most visible on Ben Yehuda Street where Jerusalem resembles Paris more than the Middle East. Traveling through the West Bank was most especially memorable, for our guide and friend, Naser took us to Palestinian bazaars, mosques, and villages in the cities of Bethlehem and Hebron.