Jerusalem In The Snow

The spring is here, but I still enjoy the snow views :) many thanks to Oleg, who used such fantastic stamps!

UNESCO - Old City Of Acre, Israel

Acre (Akko in Hebrew) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in middle-east; it is believed to have been mentioned as early as in the 16th century BC, in the tribute-lists of Thutmose III. Today it counts 46 300 inhabitans, and is listed as whs unesco site.

I have visited the city of Acre for one day only as i was on a somewhat tight schedule at the time. I wish i had a better chance to sense its spirit...

I persued this lovely view card - thanks to whiterose for agreeing to swap :) Love the stamps showing Cesarea, listed as tentative.

UNESCO - Masada, Israel

Masada is a rugged natural fortress, of majestic beauty, in the Judaean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army, in 73 A.D. It was built as a palace complex, in the classic style of the early Roman Empire, by Herod the Great, King of Judaea, (reigned 37 – 4 B.C.). The camps, fortifications and attack ramp that encircle the monument constitute the most complete Roman siege works surviving to the present day.
The stamp shows playing of a shofar, a traditional horn used for religious purposes - in this case the horn is of a Greater Kudu, a woodland antelope.
A great Unesco card from annesskina for the Vacation RR, many thanks! :))

UNESCO - Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee, Israel

The Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee are inscribed for their profound spiritual meaning and the testimony they bear to the strong tradition of pilgrimage in the Bahá’i faith. The property includes the two most holy places in the Bahá’í religion associated with the founders, the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in Acre and the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, together with their surrounding gardens, associated buildings and monuments.

The Shrine of the Báb is a structure in Haifa where the remains of the Báb, founder of Bábism and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been buried. The dome is composed of 12,000 fish-scale tiles of 50 different shapes and sizes made in Portugal - the Shrine is enhanced by 19 garden terraces that stretch one kilometre from the base of Mount Carmel to its summit, and both the terraces and the Shrine are illuminated at night.

I have to admit the view of the gardens during both day and night was mesmerising :)

Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel

Mea Shearim ("hundred gates") is one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem, populated mainly by Haredi Jews - the most conservative in Orthodox Judaism. Life there revolves around strict adherence to Jewish law, prayer, and the study of Jewish texts. At every entrance to Mea Shearim there are posters in Hebrew and English asking all women and girls to wear what is deemed to be modest dress, and during the Shabbat visitors should refrain from smoking, photography, driving or use of mobile phones.

Back in the days when I was more into tags, on one of the rare occasions I was able to tag in 'favourites tag', I was tagged by Debora who sent me this great card with absolutely wonderful stamps, and yay there is a cancellation too! Most of my postcards from there don't have them...many many thanks! :))

Beduin People Of Israel

A wonderful multiview of the Beduin, the desert-dwelling Arab ethnic group. (here from around Beersheba, 'The Capital Of Negev'). Negev Bedouins hold close ties to the Bedouin of the Sinai peninsula, and face great changes of their traditional lifestyle. I hope the postcards wont become just a reminder of the way things were..! This card was in my favourites until Debora/chatte_noire tagged me - thank you :)))

Holy Land Map

Days fly by...and i find myself overwhelmed with all the postcards that i want to show here. Last month was really ample for me postcrossing-wise :)

I was absolutelly thrilled when i was able to tag for this card xD i like participating in tags on the PC forum, but unfortunatelly some over-eager users (to use the mildest term) have made it less enjoyable...which makes this find that much more precious :)

chatte_noire sent me this gorgeous map of The Holy Land, complete with an awesome stamp. what more can an avid postcrosser ask for?! thank you thank you thank you!

Grant Whiskey

I was very excited when i tagged *cherity* in an offer tag and realised she has a whiskey-ad card! I was actually aiming at an israeli view or culture postcard, but considering how difficult whiskey cards are to come by i thought i'll just grab the chance :) Awesome stamps too!

Views Of Israel

I don't think we reached the decision to go to Israel before staying in Jordan. It was just so close, so tempting...And because of the visa regulations it was possible to go from Jordan, but not from Syria or Lebanon, so a loop wasn't doable. It was an enjoyable week..!

What to say about Jerusalem...so much is said and written about it, but seeing it is in a league on its own. It is another place that I would LOVE to see again :)

Sent on 25th of November, 2008

From Jeruzalem we travelled to Tel Aviv, and up to Haifa to spend a night and visit Nazareth & The Sea of Galilee on a day-trip. Regardless of my current religion status it is mesmerising to look upon the lake and imagine the Bible stories taking place there :) Sea of Galilee & its Ancient Sites is on the Unesco WHS's tentative list, but also are The Galilee Journeys of Jesus & the Apostles.

Old Jaffa is gorgeous! Such a contrast fom the busy and urban Tel Aviv, and very picturesque. I made a wish on the Wishing Bridge touching my zodiac sign and facing the sea, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was..! Many many cool cats sunbathing on the coastal strip from Jaffa to Tel Aviv :D

And yay, in Tel Aviv I found a shop with stamps, old postcards and such. I have bought a few items but had to give up on the rest while biting my elbow...uff.