The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The Holy Sepulcher-Jerusalem

Most people I’ve talked to don’t know that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher exists. It doesn’t look nearly as impressive as St. Peter’s or Westminster’s Abbey. However, this small church inside the Old City of Jerusalem is the holiest location in the world for all Christians, and it is truly an amazing place. The church isn’t owned by any one Christian group, but is shared between six of them. The sharing is not always peaceful, though, and the different sects fight each other for control. In fact, the competition is so fierce that a Muslim has to open the gate every morning to prevent any one faction from possessing the key to the most sacred place in Christendom. The church is fought over in this way for a reason. It is built over the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. I’ve been there, and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my entire life.

Why you should go:

You don’t have to be very religious to be moved by seeing this place. It was only when I was there that I realized that the Bible isn’t just a story. It happened at real places that you can visit. There are three major holy places in the church that I thought were especially meaningful. One of these places was the Stone of Unction, where Jesus was laid to be prepared for burial. It was pretty unbelievable to touch a place where Jesus had been. The second was the Rock of Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified alongside thieves. By far though, the most touching part was when I touched the altar in the Tomb of Jesus Christ. The Tomb is the single most sacred site in all of Christendom. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is over the place where these events really happened. No matter how religious you are, or whether or not you go to church, it will deeply affect you to see where Jesus Christ died and rose again.

How:

You might want to go with a guide, just for a brief explanation of what’s what. If you do, I recommend the Holy City Tour from New Jerusalem, at www.newjerusalem.com. Their tour of the Church is very good, and they’ll show you a lot of things you might otherwise have missed. The best guide New Jerusalem has is Alon, and you would be wise to try to get your tour from him.

I still like to go back after the tour and spend a few quiet hours in this sacred place. There is nothing better than spending an afternoon wandering the maze of holy places in Christianity’s most sacred site. It will be at least an afternoon, though, as it does take a while to see the church in its entirety. The church has an enormous amount of things to see; even more than I’ve described, and it is hard to navigate through. Still, the main reason it takes so long to see is the lines. Devout pilgrims crowd the holy sites at all times of year, and you’ll need to leave extra time to make sure you see everything you want to see. Make sure you have enough time to pay homage to this hallowed place.

My favorite guidebook for all Jerusalem is Jerusalem, Israel, Petra, and the Sinai from Eyewitness Books. The book does a good job explaining the Church and everything within. It also has a great map of the Church that covers two pages. The church is set up on multiple levels (because it is built into the hill of Golgotha/Calvary), and you need something to help you navigate through it. The book helped a lot with my visit to the Holy Sepulcher.

Don’t be afraid to go if you’re not Christian.

In all honesty, there were probably more Jewish people on my tour than Christians. As long as you are respectful of the sanctity of the site, the worshippers really don’t care if you visit. This is a very important place, and it can help you understand the Christian religion and its 2 billion followers.

If you liked this post about Jerusalem, consider reading about the Mount of Olives.

Email me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

The rather blank exterior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The entrance to the Church, opened onto by an alleyway

The Stone of Unction, where Jesus was laid after death

Paying my respects to the Stone

The Chapel of St. Helena, where the cross that Jesus was crucified on was supposedly found.

The altar over the Rock of Golgotha, or Calvary, where Jesus was put to death

Me touching the Rock of Golgotha through the small hole under the altar. Strangely enough, this ended up being picture #666.

The small Chapel of Adam, beneath the traditional site of the crucifixion. The crack in the stone is said to have been caused by the earthquake that followed Jesus' death

The dome of the church, centered over the Tomb of Jesus. The Tomb is the structure seen at the bottom of the picture

The front of the small shrine built to house the Tomb of Jesus Christ, the holiest place in the world

Me entering the Tomb

The most sacred site in the world, the Tomb itself

The outer section of the Tomb. The table contains a piece of the Tomb that broke off.

Christians traditionally believed that Jerusalem was at the center of the world. This stone basin marked the exact center of maps.

The mysterious wooden doors in the floor of the church... are they hiding something?

Karnak Temple

This post is going to be about the ancient Egyptian temples of Karnak. They’re located in the city of Luxor, 400 miles south of Cairo. I know I usually write about experiences that I expected to be worse than they turned out to be, but this one will be a little different. I’m going to share my experiences in the Temple Complex, which I was expecting to be great already. Still, it turned out to be every bit as good as I thought it would be. That’s pretty rare. Read on!

Karnak Temple at Luxor:

Did it live up to expectations: Yes

Before Going: 10/10

Reason for Score: It was a very important place historically, and I love Egyptian History.

Why you should:

The Temples of Karnak were one of the highlights of my day in Luxor. The huge complex actually consists of three‘Karnak’ temples and one ‘Luxor’ temple further south. Among them, you can wander for days. I have to admit, it’s pretty cool to stand in the center of religion for the world’s first empire. Another neat thing is the myriad of obelisks scattered around the area, from the golden days of Egypt. These great spires have risen above the landscape for thousands of years. The coolest thing about Luxor is a lone obelisk pedestal in front of the Temple of Luxor. The obelisk that used to stand here was moved to the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Seeing this was one of the best experiences for me, because I had seen the obelisk standing in Paris the year before. It was really amazing for me to see the connection between two of the places I’d been. Also, in the back of the Temple of Amun-Ra, there is another obelisk base that used to hold an obelisk now standing in the square behind the St. John the Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) church in Rome, which I had also visited. I looked hard for this one, but was unable to find it. If you manage to, please send me a picture. However, the most visually appealing part of the monument was still, by far, the Great Hypostyle Hall. This is a massive room filled with massive columns. It takes four men linked arm in arm to surround even one. These are made even more impressive by the fact that they’re entirely covered in writing and painting. Someone else famous has been enjoying the columns too- James Bond. The Spy who Loved Me has a scene right in the Hall. No one should miss out on these great sights.

How:

This is one of the only sites I have written about to which I recommend going on your own. It is easy to tour the maze of rooms and courtyards for hours. Any skilled traveler should bring a guidebook to help them navigate this humongous place. I particularly like the Egypt Pocket Guides by Alberto Siliotti. Anyway, the guards/soldiers at the temples are very friendly. They try to help you, and will lead you to some experiences you might otherwise have missed. Be aware that it is customary in this region to give baksheesh, or tips, whenever someone helps you. A dollar or so will usually suffice. Do not be afraid of this, it is worth a few dollars to improve your vacation experience and it is generally worth it.

After Going: 10/10

Reason for Score: There was a daunting amount of wonderful things to see

Email me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.comwith any questions or comments

The great model of the Temple of Amun Ra, in the visitors center

The oddly lopsided pylons, or gates

Did you forget a column there? The unfinished column that is teaching archaeologists how these monoliths were constructed.

The colossal stone pillars in the Great Hypostyle Hall

Don't lose the forest for the columns

Another big obelisk just lieing around

Obelisks, one of the great marvels of Karnak. These extraordinary objects were carved in one solid piece and moved by boat up the Nile.

Me, trespassing on another ancient holy spot. I'm really in trouble if their gods turn out to be real

Somewhere in that general area is the obelisk that I couldn't find!

One of the unique experiences that the guard/soldiers led me to in Karnak, sitting in between the remains of two life size statues

The entrance pylon to the Temple of Luxor, still imposing after thousands of years

Giant statues, anyone?

The pedestal for the obelisk in the Place de la Concorde, in front of the Temple of Luxor

The still operating mosque inside the Temple of Luxor

Another way to offend the Egyptian Gods, me in the shrine of Luxor Temple

The Avenue of Sphinxes, once stretching from Karnak to Luxor Temple over a distance of 1.5 miles

The Dead Sea-Don't miss it!

I've written this post about the Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water on Earth. The ridiculously high salt levels cause you to float like a cork in its waters. That also means that it hurts alot to get it in your eyes, mouth, or any open cuts. The Sea is located in the West Bank portion of Israel. It is a totally alien experience to go there, and I'd suggest it to anyone.

The Dead Sea
Before Going: 6/10

Reason for Score: I’d seen pictures, but I didn’t think it would be that different from the ocean

WHY YOU SHOULD:

I originally didn’t think it would be that fun, but by the end I was sad to leave. It is one thing to see it in pictures or in a book, but it’s quite another to really be there. The most unbelievable experience I have ever had is to lie on water like a mattress. It’s pretty cool. The water feels exactly like normal water, right up until you lay back in it. The scene is always very quiet there-as any splashing leads to a very painful and salty end to your swim- and it is very surreal. Swimming is stranger here than anywhere (if you can even call it swimming), and it never gets old to cruise around on your stomach with half your body out of the water. I loved the Dead Sea, and it should not be missed.

How:

You should try to go with a group or hire a guide, if only because roads through the West Bank are confusing and sometimes dangerous. Make sure you bring water shoes or cheap sandals, as the beaches are covered with sharp stones and chunks of salt. You’ll need these in the water too-the jagged rocks underwater are no friendlier. Most beaches have showers and changing rooms, but it never hurts to ask your guide before going. Above all, make sure not to get water in your eyes or cuts, because the salt burns and is tough to get out.

After Going: 10/10

Reason for score: It is a crazy feeling to lie on water like you do on a bed.

Email me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.comwith any questions or comments.

The Dead Sea-lowest point on the face of the Earth

That's not a magic trick

The Superman pose, one of dozens of Dead Sea swimming options

Got a book anyone?

The very lively Dead Sea

Watch your feet!

The rather obvious Dead Sea bathing rules (click picture to read)

The safety guidelines in every language you could think of

The Great Pyramid-Going Inside

This is going to be a long post everybody, so just hold on. I’ve decided to talk one of the most well known but least understood monuments in the world, The Pyramids at Giza. Now I’m pretty knowledgeable about the Pyramids-I was able to hold my own with a certified Egyptologist- but there are a lot of things you just can’t read in a book. These things I will share with you now. It would’ve helped me greatly, and I hope it helps you. The best three experiences people miss at the Pyramids are:

1. Going inside the Great Pyramid-Before Going: 7/10

Reason for Score: I wasn’t sure just what was so special about going inside.

Why you should: Now, looking back, I really can’t imagine why so many people don’t do this. It truly is an amazing experience. I really got a thrill from being where the famous Pharaohs were laid to rest 4,500 years ago. Also, you’re following in the footsteps of famous people, joining the ranks of such humans as Herodotus and Napoleon, who just may have found their way in through the same passageways you’re in*. Another reason is that it is a great sound byte. You’re friends and family may not know about the other two, less prestigious pyramids. Finally, you don’t want to have regrets. Don’t you want to look back on your Egypt trip and say that you did everything you could have? This is why you should go in the Great Pyramid.

How:Now, getting inside the Pyramid is a little difficult. You’ll have to buy a Great Pyramid ticket at the gate, and only a certain number are issued every day. I recommend that you try to get there before 10 A.M. If you’re on a group tour, you’ll have to talk to your guide in advance about purchasing the ticket. It is most likely not included in your tour fee. I also recommend that you bring a small, handheld flashlight. It is not too dark inside, but it is still better to be able to light up what you’re looking at.

I would post pictures, but you have to leave your camera outside the Great Pyramid’s entrance.

After Going: 10/10

Reason for Score: It is a highly rewarding experience that you should not miss.







Email me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com with any questions or comments. Please.

*-Assuming that the Thieves Entrance existed in that time, as some evidence suggests otherwise

Above: In front of the Great Pyramid

Going inside the Great Pyramid

Picture from the Camel 'dealership,' Great Pyramid on far left

The Solar Boat, Cairo

2. The Solar Boat
Before Going: 4/10

Reason for Score: I thought before going that to see a boat next to the Pyramids was a waste of time that I could’ve spent on better things

Why you should: I really didn’t want to see the Solar Bark before I got there. The only real reason I went was because it was included on the ticket. However, it was quite an awesome thing. Inside the building is a small table and chairs that have remained in position and undisturbed since President Obama sat in them during his visit to Egypt. This was kind of cool to me, as an American, and a nice addition to the boat. However, the main attraction was the gigantic, wooden, four-millennium old boat, and that wasn’t disappointing. It is very big, but also sleek and slender, and pleasing to look at. It was also mind-blowing to think that this was the structure built to carry the Pharaoh into his afterlife. I came out of this with a very different opinion, and would now recommend it to anybody.

How:You’ll have to buy a separate ticket, so make sure to decide whether or not to go before you enter Giza. If you’re in a tour, consult your guide the day before to see whether or not it is open and if it is included in your tour. Bring a camera, and try photographing it from many different angles.

After Going: 8/10

Reason for Score: I was surprised about how enjoyable it was, and it is a great add on to any Giza tour.

Email me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

That's not the Solar Boat! It's in the small white building

Yeah, that's just a 4,500 year old wooden boat

The boat, from the upper observation deck

Me, in front of the King's cabin

Me and "Obama's Chairs," in the exact same condition as when he visited.

Riding a camel

3. Riding a Camel
Before Going: 2/10

Reason for Score: I didn’t believe there was any point in it, and it was only a waste of good touring time

Why you should: It was unbelievably fun, and just as cool to be acting like Lawrence of Arabia or any other inspiring desert travelers. We also got a whole lot of great pictures, too. You couldn’t believe how people react when they see a picture of you, on a camel, in front of the Pyramids

How:Be very careful about who you get your camel ride from- many of the people who are out there trying to get tourists will rip you off. If you show any interest at all in what they’re selling, your trip to the Pyramids of Giza will not be a pleasant one. I’ve even heard of people that give you a “free”camel ride-but charge you to get off. Now there are more considerate camel salesmen, and I know of at least one group located behind the Pyramids. It is best advised to ask your tour guide who he trusts, and have him there to broker the deal. The man I went with had also given a ride to President Obama, during his aforementioned trip. If you’re on your own, I recommend that you try to find a trader that is not trying to sell to you, and therefore less likely to rip you off. Also, make sure you sit with your legs crossed over on one side, as you will see me doing in the below pictures. This will keep you from falling off.

After Going: 8/10

Reason for score: Very fun and you get great pictures.

Email me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com with any questions or comments

On a camel in front of the Pyramids-A very unique experience

The proper way to ride a camel, legs crossed off to the side

Riding out into the desert

All three pyramids, me, and a camel

Say hello to the folks back home

Getting on and off the camel, the most dangerous part

Our guide, Marwa, and I discuss the pyramids, and whether or not they were built by aliens.