BETHLEHEM
Per Pete:
"Bethlehem's earliest mention dates back to 1330 BCE so I'm not even going to get into their history. Located in the West Bank, Palestine territory, controlled by Israel, it still today carries a tense situation that dates back to since forever. Believed to be Jesus's birthplace, the town largely relies on tourism to survive. It is also believed to be the city where David, King of Israel was from.
I was glad I could get over and see some of the sights. I did go on a day tour so it made the whole process a little smoother than trying to do it on your own."
I would tend to agree with Pete that you visit Bethlehem through a tour and you'll be able to visit a few more sites as well. If you do go solo...it's smooth sailing through security in Palestine. Once you're on the other side of the wall there will be a fleet of taxis waiting for you. I thought I could walk to the sites but wasn't too sure so I negotiated a fair and hopped in a cab. That was a good move because Jesus' birthplace was a bit further than I thought. In a moment of non-clarity as I was driving through Palestine I thought this place looks really bad, it's almost like a war zone....oops...it looks like a war zone because it is a war zone.
My theory on Jerusalem and Bethlehem is that whether you are religious or non-religious you will see what you want to see and leave either more religious or more non-religious. For me the highlight of the non-religious experience was the "birthplace" of Jesus, the Church of the Nativity. There is a star you can touch marking the exact spot where Jesus was born. I saw two tour guides shoving and fighting each other within ten feet of that star. I think I was the only person who saw it happen too, everyone else just stayed focused in line waiting for their chance to touch the star.
The other Bethlehem "attraction" is Stars and Bucks Coffee. If your in a taxi you pass the place on your right on the way to the Church of the Nativity. Very friendly staff and good coffee too.
The crossing back into Jerusalem went smoothly too but when I arrived on the other side no cabs were around and I had to wait for a while (it was one of the prayer time) before a mini bus arrived to take me back to the city center.
"Bethlehem's earliest mention dates back to 1330 BCE so I'm not even going to get into their history. Located in the West Bank, Palestine territory, controlled by Israel, it still today carries a tense situation that dates back to since forever. Believed to be Jesus's birthplace, the town largely relies on tourism to survive. It is also believed to be the city where David, King of Israel was from.
I was glad I could get over and see some of the sights. I did go on a day tour so it made the whole process a little smoother than trying to do it on your own."
I would tend to agree with Pete that you visit Bethlehem through a tour and you'll be able to visit a few more sites as well. If you do go solo...it's smooth sailing through security in Palestine. Once you're on the other side of the wall there will be a fleet of taxis waiting for you. I thought I could walk to the sites but wasn't too sure so I negotiated a fair and hopped in a cab. That was a good move because Jesus' birthplace was a bit further than I thought. In a moment of non-clarity as I was driving through Palestine I thought this place looks really bad, it's almost like a war zone....oops...it looks like a war zone because it is a war zone.
My theory on Jerusalem and Bethlehem is that whether you are religious or non-religious you will see what you want to see and leave either more religious or more non-religious. For me the highlight of the non-religious experience was the "birthplace" of Jesus, the Church of the Nativity. There is a star you can touch marking the exact spot where Jesus was born. I saw two tour guides shoving and fighting each other within ten feet of that star. I think I was the only person who saw it happen too, everyone else just stayed focused in line waiting for their chance to touch the star.
The other Bethlehem "attraction" is Stars and Bucks Coffee. If your in a taxi you pass the place on your right on the way to the Church of the Nativity. Very friendly staff and good coffee too.
The crossing back into Jerusalem went smoothly too but when I arrived on the other side no cabs were around and I had to wait for a while (it was one of the prayer time) before a mini bus arrived to take me back to the city center.
PHOTOS
For additional Bethlehem photos see Facebook Album.