Battle with Orthodox Jew

Why do people read travel blogs, delve into the pages of journey books, or become intrigued by stories and landscapes from far away countries they will likely never reach? The answer is simple - many people have a strong curiosity about the way others live. The curiosity is often heightened for groups of people who belong to unique sects. Personally, I count the Orthodox Jews in this category. In Old City, Jerusalem they are everywhere yet to photograph them or obtain a stand alone image is very difficult. First, there were immense crowds in Old City, no matter the day I visited. I don't know if this is always the case, or if the crowds swelled due to the overlap of Easter and Passover during the week I was there. Second, they don't like to be photographed. So, when I obtained this photo of a young man walking the street I was happy. I posted the image a few days ago on Instagram, and was immediately attacked by someone with the username "madeinjerusalem."  What upset him?( Read more... )

Market in Old City, Jerusalem

Of all the places in the world, Israel was never at the top of my destination list. I didn't envision myself visiting this country, but sometimes gifts are handed to us when least expected and it's necessary to unwrap them. I was invited by a friend who has family ties in the area. One of his relatives is interested in creating tours specifically tailored to American clientele, so he offered a free trip for a few natives to visit and provide opinions on select hotels, services and destinations. Almost all members of my group are highly religious - some pastors, others devote Christians their entire lives. For them, visiting the Holy Land was a dream realized. For me, it was simply a new country to explore. Today a very brief post and introduction to Jerusalem, with a main focus on the market in the Old City. It was there that I met this friendly guy, who enticed me into his decorative shop full of dishes, mirrors and other handmade items.( Read more... )