Home early from the Holy Land

What an odyssey!

I departed for Israel on March 6 for my long awaited study pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  Israel was not on a hot spot list and after talking to some public health care friends (my friend is a county health director in Florida) I ventured forth.  The flight from Boston was full to Istanbul.

From the Mount of Olives looking at the Temple Mount 

Israel has already locked down the West Bank, so we knew that the trip to Bethlehem and Jericho could not take place. What became apparent as the days went by was that the Israeli government would take exceptional steps to protect the the health of their military preparedness, which would be an existential threat.  All new arrivals to the country would have to self quarantine.  There were concerns to whether flights would be canceled into the country, making is difficult to fly out.  Digesting all of the quickly changing news, I quickly changed my flight and arrived in Boston late Wednesday March 11.

I am self-monitoring and laying low for any Covid-19 related symptoms for the first 14 days out of extra caution after having been in a plane for such long flights.

The disappointment for not being able to complete this pilgrimage pales to the isolation and suffering of so many impacted by this health emergency and the dramatic downturn the tourism.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from three full days in Jerusalem.   

Western, or Wailing Wall below the Dome of the Rock

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Inside the Holy Sepulchre

Well.. maybe only Jerusalem

Over the last 25 years, two previous planned trips to the Holy Land were cancelled due to wars and violence.  Well, I have researched travel restrictions around COVID-19 and have decided to depart tonight for Jerusalem. It may be a reduced itinerary, as the West Bank is now closed for the next two weeks.  No Bethlehem!  I still hoping to get up to Galilee.

At the very least, I hope to take this time for retreat in Jerusalem.  There may be few pilgrims.

I invite your prayers.