A journey along the path of the great jew exodus, starting from Egypt

Dedicated to my sisters, my parents and those who in this troubled period of my life, had the consistency of being near me, persuade it to look forward, to look at the future, walking calmly towards it. Remembering always avail of the personal positive energy that has the mental capacity to improve and to identify new and ambitious goals.

Raffaele Banfi

 

Intro

Here I am leaving for another tour, this time the destination is the route of the Exodus, the journey in the footsteps of Moses, a path that intersects continuously between culture, history and religions.

Will cross Egypt, Jordan, West Bank and Israel, countries not very far from us geographically, but the culture is very different from ours and dissimilar between the various peoples.
The Exodus journey for those who want to understand the deep historical and religious is not an easy journey, it is always good to understand the place where you are, grasp what has happened and be able to always look carefully at the picture:
• geographically, with the understanding of biblical texts on the route of Moses;
• historical events with historical and archaeological discoveries;
• Bible, with the religious message of the biblical text and its Christian interpretation;
• Mystery, with the celebration, prayers and songs;
• tourism, with guides that describe the places that we will see in the itinerary.

Prepare the case with summer clothes and suitable for trekking, my digital SLR (Nikon DX40) cards with three reserves, my inseparable Moleskine ® (the notepads), pens, passport, travel plans, guides and not last the requisite tickets.

I chose to travel guides: Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Italian Touring Club in the diary I will refer to the places visited by me giving a help page with precedence over the nation to facilitate traceability. Example: Egypt (E-TCI pp.), Jordan (G-TCI pp.), Israel (p. I-TCI.) So that those who wish to make in-depth references are required.

Part 1

On a cloudy and cool spring day, we go at the railway station, Saronno (VA) to take, to 11.16, the Malpensa Express train that will take us 30 minutes to Malpensa International Airport. The day is like the airport after the recent chronicles Alitalia want to see leave the airport building, gray and gloomy. The airport is half-deserted, many piers are closed, it seems to run in a cathedral in the desert, few cars and buses outside, inside it moves between acceptance benches empty, desolate and endless coffee also seems to have a bitter taste. But this is not dampened our enthusiasm for a goal so important for us all.
Shortly after, while we are in line to check in the whole group meets, we are in total 27, an Alitalia flight direct to Cairo, the starting point of this journey we will walk the Way of the Exodus, the location of the jew people out of Egypt that has made up to the "promised land", or the current state of Israel and the West Bank (Palestine).

The "Voyage of Exodus", which means but Exodus? Here I want, faster, deeper this complex concept.
"The exodus is the" I "historic Israel. "The Lord brought us out of Egypt with mighty hand and outstretched arm .... led us into this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey "(Deuteronomy 26:8-9)
The Exodus is the typical event of salvation. And 'the icon of God's always with his people, and the subsequent response that it expects. The exodus is the paradigm of the man-God, marked by these milestones:
• The liberation from slavery to free hand of God, why is the "go'el", ie the relative who feels bound (solidarity of Christ) to our humanity through the waters, symbol of evil from which it comes, that is, baptism.
• The alliance, to make his people a family (in Hebrew 'am), signed by a banquet (the Eucharist), blood (circumcision and the cross), the new law.
• The desert, or the time of trial, temptation, fall, mercy and forgiveness.
• The Promised Land, the new earth to live through an ombudsman, or Moses (Christ)
The exodus is therefore the potential saving in its essence.
The Exodus is a place, and the Sinai. The Exodus is a story of Moses. The Exodus is a book the Bible. The Exodus is the mystery that Christ is made present in every Mass. Four horizons that intersect and interact. "(Text taken from Romeo Maggioni - On the trail of the Exodus)

Turn out is also the duty free depressing is closed for inventory ", the two slowly spend hours waiting in waiting rooms, I take this opportunity to read texts on Exodus, Egypt, something more general Merio East and chat with my fellow travelers.
The time comes to boarding and waiting for us in the middle of the track, we find the aircraft A-320 Alitalia called "Libeccio", as the wind that blows from the south-east from Libya and hopefully bring us sunny and warm.
The flight proceeds regularly and after about four hours, we see a great river is the Nile, on whose shores we see the houses surrounded by greenery. As the flight continues, I note that the density of dwellings increased significantly while the Nile thins out into several branches, in the mist fly over the outskirts of Cairo, the capital of Egypt, a city where the vast suburban stretches out as far eye.
I am looking for 18.00 and the first lights illuminate the streets and terraced houses that from above appear as rectangular, in the distance in the haze glimpse the shape of pyramids that massive and impressive turn their pointing to the sky that is slowly filling with stars.
We land and reached the airport building, we are preparing to withdraw cases, exceeded the control of passports with the endorsement of entry, then further checks and finally leaving the airport we head coach here and we are greeted by a ' air dark and heavy due to air pollution.
Upload your bags and boarded opening that we head toward the hotel, through the city with a route that leads to major traffic arteries for elevated roads, for bridges that cross the majestic Nile. The capital has 20 million 75 million on the entire country.
During the trip, a responsible agency, offered as a welcome, the delicious chocolate-covered dates and, as a good business of trying to propose "alternatives" as provided in the excursion, clearly at our expense, but the attempt did not fails. Along the roads the traffic is supported, I have the opportunity to admire the fleet of taxis consisting mostly of Fiat 128, Fiat 124 and Peugeot 305. The elevated roads running between the houses and traveling is not unusual to "see" inside the homes of everyday scenes.
After almost 2 hours of travel, we arrive at Giza near the hotel where we, from time has already appeared a beautiful crescent moon and its clove emerges in the blue sky.
The hotel is characterized by low and inside houses has a garden with huge swimming pool. We go to bed and shortly after we meet for dinner: Egyptian cuisine and flavors are well appreciated, the great Arab bread, meat, vegetables and desserts.
After dinner, a short ride, and finally we go to sleep, but sleep is disturbed by the noise of the elevated road which runs close to the rooms.

Part 1

On a cloudy and cool spring day, we go at the railway station, Saronno (VA) to take, to 11.16, the Malpensa Express train that will take us 30 minutes to Malpensa International Airport. The day is like the airport after the recent chronicles Alitalia want to see leave the airport building, gray and gloomy. The airport is half-deserted, many piers are closed, it seems to run in a cathedral in the desert, few cars and buses outside, inside it moves between acceptance benches empty, desolate and endless coffee also seems to have a bitter taste. But this is not dampened our enthusiasm for a goal so important for us all.
Shortly after, while we are in line to check in the whole group meets, we are in total 27, an Alitalia flight direct to Cairo, the starting point of this journey we will walk the Way of the Exodus, the location of the jew people out of Egypt that has made up to the "promised land", or the current state of Israel and the West Bank (Palestine).

The "Voyage of Exodus", which means but Exodus? Here I want, faster, deeper this complex concept.
"The exodus is the" I "historic Israel. "The Lord brought us out of Egypt with mighty hand and outstretched arm .... led us into this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey "(Deuteronomy 26:8-9)
The Exodus is the typical event of salvation. And 'the icon of God's always with his people, and the subsequent response that it expects. The exodus is the paradigm of the man-God, marked by these milestones:
• The liberation from slavery to free hand of God, why is the "go'el", ie the relative who feels bound (solidarity of Christ) to our humanity through the waters, symbol of evil from which it comes, that is, baptism.
• The alliance, to make his people a family (in Hebrew 'am), signed by a banquet (the Eucharist), blood (circumcision and the cross), the new law.
• The desert, or the time of trial, temptation, fall, mercy and forgiveness.
• The Promised Land, the new earth to live through an ombudsman, or Moses (Christ)
The exodus is therefore the potential saving in its essence.
The Exodus is a place, and the Sinai. The Exodus is a story of Moses. The Exodus is a book the Bible. The Exodus is the mystery that Christ is made present in every Mass. Four horizons that intersect and interact. "(Text taken from Romeo Maggioni - On the trail of the Exodus)

Turn out is also the duty free depressing is closed for inventory ", the two slowly spend hours waiting in waiting rooms, I take this opportunity to read texts on Exodus, Egypt, something more general Merio East and chat with my fellow travelers.
The time comes to boarding and waiting for us in the middle of the track, we find the aircraft A-320 Alitalia called "Libeccio", as the wind that blows from the south-east from Libya and hopefully bring us sunny and warm.
The flight proceeds regularly and after about four hours, we see a great river is the Nile, on whose shores we see the houses surrounded by greenery. As the flight continues, I note that the density of dwellings increased significantly while the Nile thins out into several branches, in the mist fly over the outskirts of Cairo, the capital of Egypt, a city where the vast suburban stretches out as far eye.
I am looking for 18.00 and the first lights illuminate the streets and terraced houses that from above appear as rectangular, in the distance in the haze glimpse the shape of pyramids that massive and impressive turn their pointing to the sky that is slowly filling with stars.
We land and reached the airport building, we are preparing to withdraw cases, exceeded the control of passports with the endorsement of entry, then further checks and finally leaving the airport we head coach here and we are greeted by a ' air dark and heavy due to air pollution.
Upload your bags and boarded opening that we head toward the hotel, through the city with a route that leads to major traffic arteries for elevated roads, for bridges that cross the majestic Nile. The capital has 20 million 75 million on the entire country.
During the trip, a responsible agency, offered as a welcome, the delicious chocolate-covered dates and, as a good business of trying to propose "alternatives" as provided in the excursion, clearly at our expense, but the attempt did not fails. Along the roads the traffic is supported, I have the opportunity to admire the fleet of taxis consisting mostly of Fiat 128, Fiat 124 and Peugeot 305. The elevated roads running between the houses and traveling is not unusual to "see" inside the homes of everyday scenes.
After almost 2 hours of travel, we arrive at Giza near the hotel where we, from time has already appeared a beautiful crescent moon and its clove emerges in the blue sky.
The hotel is characterized by low and inside houses has a garden with huge swimming pool. We go to bed and shortly after we meet for dinner: Egyptian cuisine and flavors are well appreciated, the great Arab bread, meat, vegetables and desserts.
After dinner, a short ride, and finally we go to sleep, but sleep is disturbed by the noise of the elevated road which runs close to the rooms.

Part 2

We continue the tour by an old and on, past the walls, walk through narrow alleys full of shops, where I noticed some interesting publications, pictures of beautiful black and white, as well as music CDs and Egyptian Arabic. After a few hundred yards we come to the Church of St. Sergius (E-ICT 82), a Coptic church hidden among the houses, built on housing where tradition has it that the Holy Family have stayed here during their stay in Egypt, when had fled to avoid the hunt organized by Herod.
This site will ideally the starting point of our exodus to the holy city, Jerusalem.
Let the Coptic quarter that's almost 13 and we head towards the Nile in a restaurant crowded by tourists we stop for lunch food, "passable", very cheap, where the only thing fair is the fried fish and white rice with the onion.
Afternoons are devoted to visiting the Egyptian Museum (E-ICT 71), a place that is a must for tourists who want to visit Cairo. The museum was created in early 1900 shows all his years, and also the organization of rooms is as overall approach, "dated", but nevertheless is an emotion to see so many relics of the dynasties of the Pharaohs, to see a copy of the famous Rosetta Stone (the original is in England), stone, written in three languages, Arabic, greek and hieroglyphics, Champollion where between 1822 and 1832 was able to decipher the hieroglyphics for the first time, giving meaning made to this form of writing consisting of drawings and symbols. The museum continues observing the sarcophagus, then reach the first floor is devoted almost entirely to the material found in the tomb of Thuthankamon: Pharaoh died at age 18, whose tomb was never discovered or violated by predators.
Beginning of the plan, placed on a wall, look at a drawing in section and as what was found in the tomb discovered by Carter in 1922, the Carter has made a valuable and painstaking job of cataloging all the pieces found now are displayed in glass cases on the floor. Of special interest to look carefully, the throne, finely decorated and enriched with precious stones, alabaster vases of refined workmanship; ceremonial beds, delicately carved and painted. Then the canopic jars, or the 4 jars that contained the body's internal organs that embalmers removed the deceased first embalming (liver, lungs, intestines and stomach).
On display there are also wagons and parade of war that Pharaoh used, where stands a golden chariot high bill from Asia.
Some shrines are enclosed in containers that look like huge boxes and watching them I can not understand its use, and there are even any explanations, I ask Felix what they are and tells me that are containers, which slipped one inside the other contained the sarcophagus of the mummy of Thuthankamon. The dimensions of these containers are really impressive and just watching them carefully, with the right perspective, you see that one enters another, and in the smaller container, were the canopic jars and the golden sarcophagus.
Finally, in a room heated well protected and there is a "treasure" or the golden sarcophagus, funerary mask of solid gold Thuthankamon enriched with lapis lazuli (the total weight of 48 kg) and jewelry that she wore the pharaoh. A place where beauty is unique, where the history of the pharaohs shows all its magnificence and its charm, a place where words are missing in amazement and wonder that takes the visitor interested.
Leaving the room of the Treasury, are among the throng that crowded the building, and the warm moist us back to reality. Haste does not allow me to turn the rooms as I would like to see the evolution of various dynasties of the Pharaohs and the various artifacts that are kept in this place. Quickly we see something else, especially doing a tour of the statues of black granite of the first dynasties. A real shame we could not expand on some topics of ancient Egypt, but today the mass tourism is too.
After visiting the museum, back to the hotel, shower and then dinner. The quiet evening spent playing cards and chatting, someone from the first purchase.

Part 1

The alarm clock rings at 8.00, but the first was already past the staff who wanted to redo the room, the incredible haste and disorganization of this hotel. Breakfast, then check that your bags are loaded on the bus and head, although we are early in the day the air is already heavy pollution. Fortunately, we leave the city and head to the Sinai Peninsula where the air is definitely better.
Extended through the capital we head towards the periphery where new quarters were built with small rooms, all equipped with television and satellite dish from a street is amusing to see these hundreds of dishes that appear to the eye, a sign evident progress.
After passing through the city, near a hill, the driver goes to a hill that is fenced and guarded by the police, we came to the Citadel (E-ICT 85), an imposing fortified area close and the mountains overlooking the city, designed by Saladin in 1176.
Paid the entrance fee we head inland along the mighty crenellated walls that rise on the hill for centuries, as we walk we see look closer, standing out high into the sky, the spire of the mosque of Muhammad Ali, our goal.
After entering a huge portal we access to the inside of the fortress, and only after passing through a flight of stairs leading to the plateau above can enjoy the complete view of mosque of alabaster, a unique charm. The white mineral glitters in the sun, window decorations, the peaks that soar into the sky, the color of the domes, the contrast between white and brown alabaster plaster, the imposing structure in its Overall they remain amazed. We turn around to looking at other buildings in the town mosque, then we access through a doorway to the courtyard of the mosque as a sacred place for Muslims, we must remove your shoes and go barefoot, a ritual, this will remove their shoes and turn full nude , which is observed not only by Muslims but also by Buddhists. I walk in the courtyard paved with white marble bathtub and look for the abductions and the porch where I can put the shoes to make photographs.
The mosque was built between 1824 and 1848 in its shape resembles that of Istanbul is immense. Inside, the side walls and pillars are covered with alabaster decorated with floral motifs, the time has frescoes and gilded stucco. It 's really a wonderful work and seductive, a beautiful example of Ottoman Baroque "seem to be really a site tales of Arabian Nights. While Felix describes the structure and history of the place, I enjoy taking pictures outdoors and indoors, and despite the difficulty of working freehand, some photos is really nice.
Leaving the mosque, we are on a terrace where you can enjoy a sweeping view of the city, extending as far as the eye away the sand and the desert wind raises clouds the view of the pyramids. Snap a few pictures and then we head toward the bus. Climbed on the vehicle, the same again but after a few meters he stops, people go up with baskets of lunch, we are just coming to leave the city to head towards the desert of Sinai. While we leave the city on the outskirts known many homes with a bulbous dome, architectural feature of the Arab world.
As soon as we leave the city in the desert, the road is well paved and cruising speed is good, after about two hours of travel we arrived at a checkpoint, we are entering in the governorate of Suez, the desert changes colors, sand-colored rocks turn red the immense plain is dotted with military barracks, identifiable for the fences and gate. Suddenly you begin to see villages surrounded by cultivated fields, and note that the presence of water is important, we are coming close to the Suez Canal (E-TCI 165), the channel through the sandy desert of Sinai allows The link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
The idea of creating a canal linking the two seas back to Pharaoh Sesostris, but only around 500 BC the work was accomplished over 92 km long to connect the Red Sea with the "Bitter Lake", the progenitor of the channel. After various vicissitudes and history, we come to realization with the current route of the canal opened November 17, 1869. The river has been refurbished during the last decades of the twentieth century. to allow the passage of supertankers, now has a depth of 23.5 meters, a width of 480 and allows a maximum draft of 20.4 meters, the passage of ships 260,000 tonnes.
We arrive at the parking lot near the Suez Canal and while lunch with our packed lunch, we see in the desert something moving, the containers appear, and actually looking good, I'm really moving. But how do the containers moving in the desert? It 'a hallucination? Not at all, is a ship that is crossing the channel and spaced them get a second and a third is a succession of merchant ships from the Mediterranean down to the Red Sea. The navigation channel shall alternately, the ships come in and have predetermined distances along the channel at a constant speed. It 'nice to see how regularly spaced vessels pass one after another. It 'also interesting to note the speed of ships that cross the river ably in place of having some very specific references, the movement seems faster than the open sea where there is no point of reference. See the giants of the sea around the desert is an unparalleled entertainment, fun is to try to find the ship's flag and understand their nationality.
As the ships pass, the group pledged to "empty" baskets of the trip: steak sandwich, sandwich with eggplant and grilled meat, juice, chips. The service area is a stage where we are still almost for those traveling through, so the restaurant is equipped with tables that make it available to those who want to eat the lunch bag, and in return offers cool drinks, it's time to pay and we realize that having the Egyptian pounds would not hurt, no one has thought to change some euros. In the end we barely the chance to change the euros and we pay for drinks, they shall find it difficult to pay even in the days following.
It was a warm wind that makes up the temperature a little hot and the checkpoint before the tunnel, fire hydrants are opened to wet asphalt and refresh the air. We climb on the bus, and we are preparing to pass the Suez Canal, the control is fast as they see that we are tourists, a 'look at passports, luggage and make us pass. We enter the tunnel, "Ahmed Hamdi" that are 14.01. The 1,640 meters long tunnel connects the African part of Egypt with the Sinai Peninsula. We, on the bus though, we are retracing the path followed by Moses tens of centuries ago and soon we will be in full desert Arab / Asian.

Part 2

The tunnel runs through it for a cruising speed, meet trucks, cars and other buses coming in opposite direction, thinking that the water flowing above us which unites two important seas and maritime transport that allows you to save a few weeks on sailing times, is truly wonderful. After a few minutes of course, asphalt glimpse of daylight, and in fact we are in proximity of the tunnel ends, we are starting a small hill that will take us back to the level of the desert when the driver makes a sharp and sudden braking , and some cry in front of us ... .... appears cab truck traveling in the opposite direction, the collision seems inevitable, the brakes screeching, they feel even the truck that goes downhill. The impact is getting closer, but a few inches from each other means stop: the drivers are starting to swear, I do not know who is right.
Overcome fear the journey proceed regularly, we are in the desert of the Sinai peninsula and we are traveling south east headed to the lowest point of the peninsula, where stands the Sinai massif, which gives its name to the region.
Along the way we overcome the numerous and ubiquitous military barracks, villages surrounded by farmland and along the Red Sea we see the ships at anchor awaiting their turn to transit the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. Approaching to Sharm el Sheik, overcome the villages and near one of these we stop to stretch your legs a bit, and someone in the group, seeing a beautiful turquoise blue sea took the opportunity to wet feet. During the break I can see how in this area the presence of wind is a constant, known either from the dunes to the leaning houses, or trees, as in all places of a certain wind, grow inclined.
Continue the journey, always following the sea until you come to a junction, turn left ec'inoltriamo in the desert on their way to imposing rocky massifs, a place where the hills and mountains appear multicolored, you notice the brown, brown, red The black appears blue in some places. Side of the road that heads towards the central massif, open alternately large and small valleys bordered by majestic mountains and rugged cliffs.
The road in some sections is lined with beautiful acacia trees, Felice says they are mimosa, personally I am not convinced, but I just detail. In fact, controlling then I discover that the mimosa is part of the acacia family, Felix was right. Continuing our destination through many villages Bedouin nomads became sedentary, but the edges of villages or in the desert you can still see the tents of these people who keep the nomadic tradition.
The route runs along the bottom of a valley dotted with large hills and surrounded by high mountains, seems to be a place "secure", where anyone with access must ask permission, we have the impression of being increasingly monitored and controlled by watchful eyes and discreet.
We stop at a small Coptic Christian monastery which is located near the village of Feiran (TCI E-279), the gate is closed, despite the insistence in speaking of Felix the doorman we can not get inside. It seems that all priests are busy, no one knows what, but according to the Guardian, have all their employees; expect some ten minutes, but in vain and then go back on the bus and continue the journey. The road runs through the gorges of the mountain sometimes narrow and sometimes wider landscape constantly changing, the sun is setting, coloring the walls of sandstone mountains that affected by the rays of the sunset turns red ocher. The ocher is interrupted only by some intrusion of igneous basalt black granite, with veins of green and pleasant look like a multicolored puzzle.
Along the way are villages surrounded by date palms and crops in some areas of the palms create the fantastic views.
Note that for tens of kilometers away is an open excavation, are laying a metal pipe with a diameter of 25 cm, the behavior is only partly sensible and sometimes you see the stacked tubes ready to be welded and installed; deduce that could be a aqueduct or pipeline.
Shortly after sunset we reach the protected area of St. Catherine and near a junction, we stopped at the checkpoint and there, the soldiers meticulously check all passports. We share routes and a few miles, we arrive at the hotel, where we are greeted with a welcome cocktail. It is constructed with a series of small houses scattered over some hills, and there is the highest restaurant.
Place the bags, go out for a ride in a nearby village, here it is already night, the lights illuminate the streets and houses. Under the arcades are a few small shops opened and we note that the price of the merchandise is cheaper than in Cairo, an excellent opportunity to purchase.
Return to the hotel which is dinner time, then all to bed for a few hours in the night start for the ascent to Mount Sinai.

Part 1

The alarm, the relentless sounds 1.30, so the exact one and a half, practically we rested a few hours, the coach awaits us for the departure to the stand of the Monastery of Saint Catherine (TCI E-279). Just outside the hotel we stop at a bar to drink hot tea, the place is crowded with tourists and pilgrims who will soon rise on Mount Sinai. It 's funny to observe the difference in clothing of the people present, who wears sweaters, who runs quietly in shirt sleeves. Hikers are noted experts on the physical, clothing, tools, the atmosphere reminds me of my mountain climbing in shelters where the start is a ritual to be observed, Hush, breakfast with hot tea, and then you sleepy side towards the goal. Here too is the spread "ritual" only a few more words, but in the faces of people known the same expression of sleep and cold.
We climb aboard and quickly reach the car park of the monastery, where the vehicle stops, verify what I have in the backpack, positioned the battery in your pocket and off the bus, but after a few meters, we are all still in column, what happens? Why do not we move? Although the cold of the night you hear, we pass yet another checkpoint. Exceeding it and access to a dirt road that leads to the monastery, we stop, try a night shot of the group, but point and shoot in the middle of the night is really an action that requires a lot of luck to photograph subjects correctly. It starts on the dirt road and the dust raised by the people ahead of us enters the nose and mouth.
In total darkness of the night, the climb begins, did not know where I am, I have references, if not the road that gently climbs up the walls of the Monastery of Saint Catherine, now the road turns into a trail, that military control all are accompanied by a guide, a Spanish girl is leaderless, without a band and was stopped by guards adamant, that despite the darkness of the night no one escapes.
In the middle of the night are going up on the slopes of Mount Sinai, the black sky is dotted with thousands of stars for a long time I saw a sky so well lit by stars. After more than a half hour climb in the wake of other batteries ahead of us, we come close to the huts, where we find the camels that had been booked by the group that did not feel prepared to face the long journey, decided to get advantage the passage of animals.
One person at a time, aided by the Bedouins, begins to take place on the saddle. But at night, get on it, is no easy task, with the lighting of the batteries we made do a little, I snap photos, then stop waiting for everyone to be increased in animals and ... .. I find myself virtually alone, alone in the night and only at the foot of Mount Sinai. Lights with the battery area where I am trying to understand where to go, but I see no trace of the path. Only in the distance to my right, I see the mountains, the long snake of people who switched batteries are rising but, in my own neighborhood there is none.
Fortunately that night I made some climbing, so I do not lose heart, try the mountain until an individual path, em'incammino the climb, but I realize that I'm moving away from the snake light that climbs the mountain. I look at the sky, and Stella, are in absolute silence, I take this opportunity to walk in solitude, just me with my pitch, with my breath, with my backpack and my thoughts to admire this spectacle from the sky. As I walk pass the time and still remain inexorably away from the snake light, just not know where they are. I stop for a moment to assess the situation and decide to continue for a while and if I can not find a path to see if the climb will be the case to await the dawn or back down the path and try to climb on Mount Sinai.
Start walking again trying to enlighten possible to identify a path that leads me back to the other while I'm walking and suddenly from the darkness of the night I receive the items, I stop to understand which side they come, with the torch I can illuminate anything and decide to proceed carefully to the voices. Suddenly the voices become clearer, are Italian, increasing the pace, the flashlight continuously seeks to illuminate and track and later catch up with the camel riding of persons is a part of my group that is rising, some greeting and decide to go a little way with them, the climb always continues between earth and stones, animals proceed strictly in single file by raising a lot of land that sometimes I eat, so I decide to leave the group and head toward the snake of lights is approaching and, using a path that I have seen, I move away from the camels.
Alone I climb fast enough and I'm rapidly approaching the snake light that precedes me in the ascent, I'm finally on the right track when, after a bump appears, illuminated by lamps, a rest stop, I reached him, and between many people find this one group that climbed on foot, others come in camel. A quick greeting, a drink of water and starts to get dark, now the snake light that salt is reached, they too are part. Here rooms each with its own pace, some alone, some in the group but must always watch out for camel rising because it is they who have priority, if only for its size.
Going up is the road blocked by a group of Japanese that are traveling, they are perfectly arranged in four columns side by side and preceded by a walking person holding up an umbrella (remember that we are at night), I try to pass both right and left, but you can not ask, kindly pass but no signal came, until tired of eating dust and carry out a step too slow, I speak firmly and loudly using the words "raw and dialect" . Hearing my "request", the group of Japanese stops suddenly, the crawler moves sideways, toward the mountain, close the umbrella, and only then the file is divided into two wings that allow me passage. I feel like Moses that runs between the Red Sea.
Continue on the path between curves and rocks, sometimes encounter people who go ahead and plan that are overtaken by rising dromedaries, and as mentioned before they have priority and it is during one of these "bottlenecks" that are hit by a dromedary and find myself on the ground, rolling to eat dust. Fortunately stones stop my fall, pick myself up a bit 'bruised and continue my way to the top by far more attention to people walking the floor can make me a camel problems. The climb was still above some of the group, and reached a rest area and meeting Francesca Tonino that are our avant-garde, from here on will go up with them. The path now runs along the mountainside just below the final steep walls, the night is coming to an end es'incomincia to glimpse the shape of the mountain. At the end of this stretch of trail is the staging point where the camels stop and people need to get off the saddle.

Part 2

At the staging point we Mariella and Louise who have to pay the transportation. The three of us continue while away are signs of the sun, a faint white band horizon.
Along the trail we pass into a canal dug between the granite walls of the mountain, a few yards down and reach a plateau with the construction, we are "the amphitheater of the 70 elders of Israel." Here now stands a refreshment hut and a group of Orthodox praying in the glow of the candles. There are many people, some will stay here, others will continue the climb to the top of the mountain, and the path now turns into an immense and infinite staircase are 734 steps, carved by the monks, leading to the summit. Climbing is a business, your legs ache, the passage is inconsistent for uneven steps, even if someone passes, you feel the fatigue of climbing in my legs and breath.
Slowly we climb, we face the first flight, then a second and finally arrive at a staging point, we're hot and sweaty; beware cool of the night to prevent muscle and respiratory problems. We are on the last 100 steps, the effort, after almost three hours of ascent is felt, but we are close to their goal, my legs hurt, but not spring, I try my steady pace and soon arrive in the clearing of the final mountain and here there is already people sitting on the rocks, Tonino and Francesca have found a place "free" and we do our sliced. Are 4.30 when sitting on the cold granite rock of the summit of Mount Moses (TCI E-280) waiting for the sunrise.
Tonina maintains its position, while the backpacks we take a sweater and light jackets for shielded from the cold of the mountain.
The sunlight slowly gets to light the mountains of Sinai and the group shows its wild beauty and its grandeur. The gray mountains before, now stricken from the light turn red and emerge from obscurity. We are sitting on the granite to wait for others in the group when, at about 5 arrive early, having held the position, we can accommodate them near us. Suddenly, though being on the brink of a precipice we must fight with the Japanese on the pretext of wanting to take pictures, want to take our place, only our firm away these barbarians who manifest their incivility. This fact, like other behaviors, show that, despite what they say known, Italian appears to be a very civil and polite.
At 5.20 behind the clouds on the horizon are the first intense sunlight, quickly fireball emerges from the clouds, its rays illuminate everything and everyone started to warm the bones of those who are still waiting on the rocks , is enchanting to watch the sunrise from this height and with this clear sky and clean, the stars arrival of light, are fast disappearing and the stone continues to light up in color to take a definite shape.
With the light, we decided to climb the hill where stands a small chapel and a mosque. Shortly after we begin the long and challenging descent on endless stairs which are crowded by both those who are going and who is falling. Really struggling in the fall I decided to go down the mountain side along the steps and quick, I come to the huts, starting the second leg where the descent is steep, inaccessible and where it is slowly zig-zag. Towards the end I find that Barbara just before you slip, a distortion of the knee and an injured right hand, he can not walk, we must look for a camel to make it down to the monastery and then reach the bus.
We are on the biblical Elijah plain, a flat where there is a cave that was the refuge of the Prophet during his stay on the mountain, when we find Felix, our guide, search for the camel becomes easier. While I'm helping Barbara to get the camel known that someone in the group instead of keeping the right trail, or one where we got, take the path left, "the staircase", a path made from more than 8,000 steps, descending, leads directly and quickly to the Monastery of St. Catherine. I accompanied other group members who want to get off using the service of camels, take the trail path on the way up, arrived on the pitch of the camel who wants to use animals hardly contracted price for the descent.
Thus began the long and exhausting descent where people return from the summit meeting and someone surrendering to fatigue, has decided to return to the starting point. While downstairs, the first rays of the sun, emerging from the mountain, lit the imposing walls of the monastery below, what better opportunity to take photos?
I continue with other group on the descent and a few minutes before we arrive at 8.00, finding parking the bus, the fatigue of the ascent and descent is felt in the legs, fatigue is really great. At about 8.30 the group slowly comes together, and who fell for the "staircase" comes literally destroyed by a strong pain in my legs.
Reassembled the group departed for the hotel, where a shower takes a little tired, and after a good hearty breakfast and then depart for a visit to the Monastery of Saint Catherine (TCI E-279).
Returning to the stand we still pass the scrutiny of the night, as Monica walks evil, we, in very exceptional travel by bus which takes us to the gate of the Monastery, the date for the departure to the sea is set at 11, 00 in the same place.
The visit to the monastery, surrounded by mighty defensive walls, a huge crowd, a disorderly crowd moving without a predetermined path, it is difficult to enter and move through the narrow streets that run between the buildings. Inside the monastery is a confusing set of verandahs, balconies, porches, stairs, buildings large and small cells for monks, a library and tower. In the Orthodox Church, where the huge mosaic of the Transfiguration is being restored, you can not move and listen to what Felix is illustrating here the respect for religion is close to zero. It 's just a tourist place of consumerism, to me a huge disappointment. Leaving the church stand under the bush, which tradition identifies as the burning bush of Moses.
I left the monastery so bothered by disorder and I go for the appointment departure arrival at the yard where the driver left us and the coaches there. We are a nice bunch, wait 10 minutes and the bus does not arrive, the 11 have passed for a while and then decide to get off the square foot and when I arrive I find happiness and buses. Felix, driving, shows that on this occasion it was completely inattentive and poorly organized, leaving the door opposite the entrance did not bother to check how many people in the group was carrying and headed toward the square of the stand forgetting that the appointment was somewhere else. Now is concerned that we are late for departure to the ferry that must lead us in Jordan. But we can not go, someone is missing the group that stopped right where he set the date of 11.00. Only with a taxi we obtain all with a delay of nearly an hour we start towards the Red Sea, but the question is:

Part 3

During the trip, while the driver runs to the coast, have lunch with packed lunch. The speed is high and the driver sometimes even good to drive the heavy vehicle, sometimes it has to make considerable brake to slow down and be able to handle the curves of the winding road, especially since the bus is raised and curved, straight on, when cross- gusts of wind, the effect of the high center of gravity is felt. I'm preparing to write this diary when I learn that from TV May 2, 2008, in Egypt, the Sinai has been a road traffic accident, "the coach, carrying 40 people, had left Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo : Due to the high speed is off the road facing a curve, crashed into a concrete barrier, has hood several times and caught fire. The budget is the tragedy of 9 dead and 29 injured "(Taken from the Internet), overcomes this news and I concentrate on the next goal.
At 13.15 we arrive near Nuwiba and head to the port, we are still dedicated to a secondary access to the transit of passengers, out on the streets and squares many trucks are anxious to unload their goods.
We are waiting for the officer of the agency, Mohamed, who is completing all the necessary paperwork for the exit, we see a continuous back and forth between a customs office and the guard post. The departure of the ship is scheduled at 14.30 and we should make time to go through customs and carry out its inspection of luggage.
While we are comfortably seated on the bus with air conditioning in the street under the scorching sun a long line of people waiting patiently to have access to customs controls.
After a few minutes of waiting, we can unload the suitcases from the bus and we, under the scorching sun we wait in silence, and respectful of Egyptian rule, we do have access to the inspection of luggage and passports. Then, one by one, we enter a small room, we pass the bags under the metal detectors and exiting the building, reload all your luggage on the bus to head a few feet away, a huge building for the visa ' output. Gain access to a warehouse, a large room filled with benches sitting with men waiting their turn to come out from Egypt: while across the room, I feel like living in an associated image, being in a old black and white photographs of Italians who, early last century, landing in America, were crammed into similar spaces for its tests, the impact is really the most unexpected and unbelievable that I could have.
In an adjacent room we queue for the exit visa, and here, although there is already a queue of people, we have precedence. The officer is careful monitoring, we write all our data in printed and in a perfectly readable and if he believes that they are not good, correct at the time, this makes the check for the visa operation that requires considerable time .
Affixed to the exit visa in the passport, with a visit to the bus crossed the room before and know that in an adjacent room, people are sitting female, leaving the building, we take the bus where we were lucky to secure the bags Otherwise, who knows what chaos having to move the building exit visa with all the suitcases in tow.
Finally we come near the ship that will take us to Jordan, Queen Nefertiti, the coach for the last time, he stops.
On the pier in single file, just under the scorching and without shelter, persons waiting for their boarding, everything is rigidly and strictly controlled by the port police. They tell us to board we put ourselves in single file and we like good Italian, talking ourselves up in rows two by two.
Boarding the ship lodged in the hold luggage, passing control to boarding we settle on the deck at the stern where there is a bar with tables and met a gentleman who speaks Italian very well and serves as the waiter said to be a tourist who is helping the crew, but it gives me the impression of being very close-knit with the crew. After us the ship slowly fills with people occupying all the seats, finally we start to to 16.00. The navigation is going well, chat, read, look at the pictures taken during the ascent on Mount Sinai, but the weariness of the night is clear, and eventually dozing in armchairs and sofas in the ship.
After a couple of hours the ferries dock in Aqada, a Jordanian policeman, politely asking us if we Italians welcome in his homeland. Before departure, as we climbed on board, police retrieved our passports and they riavremo when ashore, complete with entry visa to Jordan.
The procedures were started by the time of landing, the rear hatch of the vessel was dropped on the dock es'inizia to land following a precise order, the first landing and a sheik cha traveling with family, then it is up to 4 English, then Italians. We leave the ship and the pier are the coach, but it is not ours, a few phone calls to understand where our midst, and after some ten minutes here he comes, we can load your bags and board the plane. Waiting to get on our half, the discharge had been suspended, and travelers, are stowed in the halls waiting to get off. Let's start with the customs destination port, do a little road el'automezzo stops near the trucks containing many cases, we go, we take our suitcases and we enter a very large waiting room where, by customs officials, reported that there is no c 'is no agency to take. Here things are complicated, there must be a responsible agency, but since there are no police hesitates in handing over passports and we sit on chairs in the waiting room and expect the situation evolves. While we are sitting, passengers of the ship arrive at customs entry, down from the coaches take their luggage trolleys from places outside come in and bring an orderly in single file. Virtually all passengers of the ship we pass by, while no trace dell'incaricato agency.
Observe carefully the people who run in front, are all Arabic, noting the color of passports understand that they are of various nationalities, have massive bags, suitcases, boxes, bags and some have to be very heavy fatigue that are having to transport or drag. I do not understand if they are on the way home or are immigrants, or transit to other countries in Jordan, still waiting for our passports so I have to observe this interesting multitude of humanity.
George and Ambrogini, two members of the group, begin a dialogue with the border police are all trying our guide that really does not seem to have arrived while the police make a few phone calls, even the last passengers of the ship have gone before us. Now, when the huge waiting room is completely ours, finally appears a man of considerable tonnage, speaking animatedly in Arabic with the police. We understand that the agency and claims to have advised the officers that he was outside waiting for us, the cops are not convinced and they ask George and Ambrogini to sign a statement attesting to the delay dell'incaricato. Eventually we give back our passports.

Part 4

Having reached the square we find the bus waiting for us, we load our bags and head towards the hotel, the route winds through the city on roads where the traffic is pretty intense but fluid, we have a first taste of this city made up of buildings modern and bright with beautiful streets. We arrive at the hotel that has clean and comfortable time for a shower and then dinner in the many Arabic dishes are well cooked and cared for, of all outstanding quail, lamb, pasta with vegetables. Finally after a stroll outside the hotel for a nice sleep restorer used to regenerate the fatigue of the day.

Part 1

The phone rings, are 8.30, Natalia and Monica, call me for breakfast, last night in the room with the air conditioning was going slowly, under a nice down comforter I slept very well. Looking out from the balcony, the day is sunny go downstairs for breakfast where you will find excellent fruit juices, desserts and plenty of other food.
The morning is devoted to relaxation, some people took advantage of the beach for sunbathing, who plunges into the sea and found that the water is cold, but those who use the hot pools of the hotel, I took advantage for reading, place the notes and check the photos taken on previous days.
Pending the arrival of the guide I read a book of interesting ideas that help me to understand where they are: they are in the Middle East. You can define the Middle East geo-political concept that identifies geographical ventilation characterized by coexistence of a melting pot of ancient peoples bound together by a common linguistic and cultural matrix, but separated by thousands of ethnic conflict. In this particular area are enclosed and turbulent states of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the West Bank (Palestine).
I take a walk outside the hotel to observe the city of Aqaba (G-TCI 131); find streets and buildings under construction, the city is widening and shows its modernity made of fine homes, luxurious hotels, well-maintained roads . In front of the open bay of the Red Sea and in it there are ships moored across the bay and there is a hill where towering skyscrapers that seem to be newly built, surrounded by low houses and green. The sky is clear and the wind is sustained.
Aqaba is a modern city and full and modern urban development, located between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with its 27 km coastline is Jordan's only outlet to the sea. Aqaba is Jordan's port, the ships passed through here not only Jordan but also in Iran, in return for use of the port Iran provides free oil to Jordan.
Approaching the hour of departure and it appears our guide, called Mohamud, a person who speaks fluent Italian and turns immediately friendly, attentive and friendly and we will accompany the tour of Jordan to the border with Israel. Without knowledge of the guide, it's time to take our bags, get on the bus from, a short city tour to see quickly the way, the most interesting buildings and then we head to the suburbs where the desert begins.
As we travel we see that the sky is dark and the horizon is hidden, Mohamud, tells us that this haze is due to the wind lifts the sands of the desert, then tells us some details of the life of his nation. Jordan is a country with a very young population, in fact 50% of the population over 15 years of age, 5% over 70 years and 38% aged between 18 and 60 years. The inhabitants are about 6 million of which over 1.5 million pupils, a very young country.
As we enter the desert skirt fields of zucchini, potatoes, watermelons. Mohamud tells us that agriculture is a problem in Jordan and were affecting the balance of payments in the country water is a rarity as it should arrive by the River Jordan, but Israel has built a huge dam at the mouth, makes the river practically a small and smelly gutter, and Israel itself sells to Jordan water for agricultural purposes, while drinking water is imported from Syria. Were only recently discovered an aquifer at 88 meters. depth and this allows the cultivation of vegetables and vegetables.
Traveling come close to an industrialized city in the nearby mountains are the place where the mines are extracted phosphates that are transported by train or by road to Aqaba for export, this is one of the treasures of Jordan and the largest purchasing countries are India and Japan.
Having as a travel destination in the desert of Wadi Rum, Mohamud tells us something about the inhabitants of the desert, the Bedouins, a nomadic people always used to live in the desert, using what available to them.
They have a beautiful physique and features, in fact in the coming days I will have occasion to admire these fantastic features of both men and women who will observe how blacks have eyes or a heavy or a lovely green.
They feed mainly camel milk and dates, two food here and there that are highly nutritious, drink tea and coffee. Because exposure to sun, skin aging is premature. People are very friendly and availability of the host, but also the head very hard and this has always created problems and conflicts have been resolved by the tribes without the intervention of police. Women have always dressed in black, a tradition that derives from the custom of wearing the color black when mourning, and centuries ago, when the clashes were frequent in the desert, women often remained in mourning since 1700 have decided to wear always black. In the desert with little water and used primarily for drinking, personal hygiene becomes secondary.
The longer this animal, which acts as a transport medium, and from other livelihood is the camel, an animal belonging to the family of camels with a single hump, also called the "ship of the desert, and in past centuries, for His stamina was used to transport merchandise and people had to cross the desert on the "trade routes". One of its features is the ability to store water in the legs, while the hump is huge reserves of fat.
The state has built homes for them, but they prefer the tent, for that is custom built according to their cool during the hot day and night, allowing a more than pleasant stay.
And while Mohamud tells of life that the Bedouins do, we arrive at the edge of Wadi Rum (TCI G-124), a desert valley called red, the characteristic color of the rocks and sand. Before we cross into the wilderness that crosses the railroad, where we see a freight train loaded with phosphates (the richness of the area) is going towards the city just before we passed. Turning into a side street and we stop for lunch in a particular accommodation, made with traditional Bedouin tents, and at night there is an area equipped with curtains, which can accommodate from two to seven people are well set up and clean. Sleep at night in the desert to live this fascination is in great demand by tourists and many places are springing equipped in this way.
Lunch buffet, vegetables, cheese, chickpeas, yogurt, rice with chicken, rice with lamb (cooked really well), lunch under a tent open on one side, air enters the coverage stops and the sun's rays, is own good in this simple but effective structure. While lunch, other tourists arrive and the curtain, though large fills, fortunately there first we could eat in peace. After lunch there is the possibility of tasting the excellent Nescaffè or turkish coffee.

Part 2

Continue the journey ec'inoltriamo in Wadi Rum, in this beautiful stretch of desert whose description I have a hard time for its beauty and feel right back from the book "Wadi Rum desert Bedouin. Ed.plurigraf, p.. 4: Visit the Wadi Rum is truly wonderful experience not only the body but also for the spirit. The spectacular work of the creator is captivating here as in many other places on earth, if only for its size. "
At the same text on page. 8 reads: "The unique geology of the Wadi, its history and splendor of great magnitude are immediately obvious.
Known as the "Valley of the Moon", covers the southern part of Jordan. Training old, owes his famous definition which is the continuous action of weathering over millennia that have shaped the landscape, making the moon, giving the beautiful scenery of sandstone cliffs that rise suddenly in the middle stretches of sand dunes impalpable lobster-colored walls, carved by wind, stone pinnacles, deep valleys, ancient riverbeds dry. "
Wadi Rum is the land of the Bedouins, whose name derives from "badiah" which means "desert dweller", a people who, for those who live in this area still retains the original nomadic, devoting breeding of camels, sheep and goats, and livestock grazing to ensure the origin of nomadism perennial. The family structure is patriarchal, more and more families form a clan clans form a tribe.
Over the centuries have managed to preserve their traditions intact until you arrive visible today, the family hierarchy, division of labor, clothing, preparing tea and coffee hospitality.
Great attention should be placed in the structure of the tent, the caravan of Bedouin, made with fabrics made from wool of camels and goats, the former are brown and are used for the walls, the second black, are used for top cover of the tent. This black wool has the ability to pass wind during the day and in case of rain, to become waterproof.
During the evenings in tents like Bedouins entertain with songs and dances, which are accompanied by the sound of a local instrument, the rababah: made a small sound box with a handle and a few taut strings that is played with a bow. To perform the dances are only men, while women sing and clap their hands rhythmically.
But back to our trip, left the place c'avviamo lunch at the entry point into the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre where you paid for the ticket to climb aboard jeeps. Here a mountain in particular attracts the attention of all, the pillars that seem to shoot up towards the sky. In fact it is the mountain that inspired Thomas Edward Lawrence, British colonel known as "Lawrence of Arabia" for leading the Arab revolt account the Turks in World War I, to write his book "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom." The view and the particular shape of the mountain, becomes an opportunity for photographs.
Finally we start with the jeep toward the desert, the vehicles are guided by little more than teenage boys, we have the battery and the only downhill, then the driver does his best to park the vehicle taking care that the departure is down . The guide is not the best and these drivers enjoy racing on the sands of the desert. We sat back and sometimes, for excessive bounce is not as fun as it sounds. We take a ride through the charming desert mountains, we climb on top of a hill where we have a unique view over most of the desert, then we head towards a Bedouin tent but just before we stop near a side valley, Mohamud invites us to climb a steep sandy slope to see what's up with Tonina I climbed up the hill at the end thereof are the plants that unexpectedly grew among the rocks of the mountains, this desert is not really a surprise .
We descend from the mountain and again towards the Bedouin tent where we offer tea and coffee following their ritual, the hot tea you drink with your right hand holding the glass between thumb and forefinger to not getting burned. The infusion is made with tea, cardamom, sage and cinnamon, which cleverly mixed a drink for me to create attractive, even if someone in the group, then give stomach problems.
Before resuming the journey home, we stop to see the rock carvings dating back to 1000 BC, placed on a wall. Recall the desert came to a gorge, where the shape "U" of the mountain allowed in times of conflict the area was converted into a prison natural sheltered from constant winds of the desert, we stop to observe a boulder where the cone was carved faces Lawrence of Arabia, Prince Abdhullah (the name means Servant of God) and the then leader of the Bedouin.
Without the photos instead continue the journey through the last stretch of desert to our coaches. We head on the edge of Wadi Rum and then start to climb towards the mountains in the direction of Petra, the ancient, mysterious and unavailable capital of the Nabataeans, a people who for centuries have inhabited the area.
While we continue the journey, the desert changes conformation from Sandy becomes rocky, then the hills become verdant and traits appear plowed and planted with wheat, which serves as fodder for sheep grazing.
It 'evening when we get to the hotel located on a mountain ridge, where you see the deep valley below. Allocation of rooms, shower and then dinner with Jordanian dishes, excellent smoked beef, semi-spicy sauces, chicken. After dinner with the inevitable game of cards and some talk, Franco plays the piano, making the evening very pleasant. I leave outside for a ride, but since the cold and the wind is blowing really hard to stay, so I decide to return to listen to music and I make a trip to the store, while curious books, I find some in Italian seem interesting, I decide to buy.

Part 1

Woke up at 7.00, I did not sleep very well tonight, I kept waking up, will the thrill of seeing Petra? Breakfast at 8.00 and we are ready for departure to the valley where, hidden and protected from the rock rises Petra. From the top you can not see anything, only barren mountains and desert valleys, this treasure is hidden somewhere of the Nabataeans? Besides, if this city was discovered only 800 why there must be: it was really well hidden in the inhospitable mountains.
Leaving the hotel we are welcomed by the wind from the east, a wind came from the desert sand that carries sand, making the sky brown color. The guide tells us that we were lucky to go yesterday in Wadi Rum, today because the wind would have seen very little sand.
Once the descent along the valley where there are about 22,000 people whose livelihood is tourism. Cross country, sometimes with narrow streets and arrive at a large yard, parking for buses, we arrived in Petra (TCI G-106). Petra is a major source of wealth in Jordan, in fact there are millions of tourists who visit each year, in peak season have spikes of 7,000 people a day.
Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans, a nomadic people got rich by trafficking in the caravan caravans pushed from south along the north-south and Syria to Egypt along the east-west. The ability of the Nabataeans lived in the trade skill to identify what were the most valuable goods required in the countries at the ends of roads, bitumen for mummification, frankincense and myrrh for religious rituals, spices for cooking, gold, silver, glass, damask and silk. These goods made these people who became immensely rich settled in the city. When, for historical events experienced forgetfulness, Petra was forgotten over time, was rediscovered in the nineteenth century. and then became an attraction and then later archaeological tourism.
It 'difficult to describe Petra, perhaps the best words Fabio Bourbon wrote them: "I loved Petra the first time I saw it and even now, years later, on occasions when I have the honor to visit again, I feel excited like a kid on his first appointment. Despite having toured the world, I have not been everywhere, but I think I can say without hesitation that this is an absolutely unique place. Petra is one of those rare places where even those who do not believe in magic soon has to rethink his beliefs. If you can grasp the charm - listening to the poetry of silence, watching the kaleidoscope of colors inexhaustible, admiring the superb balance of rock architecture - you too will be rewarded by the intimate and profound feeling of unparalleled beauty. Above all, return home, bringing a treasure in the heart ... .. "(Fabio bourbon - Archaeological Guide to Petra, Preface)
But back to our trip, get off the bus and head towards the entrance to the valley. A gate blocks the road, after you buy your ticket and have passed the controls can access the area. The dirt road winds slightly downhill, but you can take to prevent the horses to walk, but the guide does not recommend, in fact, who took the horse has run only a few hundred yards and reached the entrance end of the siq his trip, among other gigs here are available to walk the siq, but for a stretch of less than 2 km, the amount required is truly stratospheric.
We begin to descend into the valley and from the first meters may be found carved in the rock, the first Nabatean tombs that have the doors facing east, where the sun rises and are also positioned against the wind. Originally, the tombs had small doors, then over time, when the graves were used as houses, the doors have been widened. In this place, historically we move from Acropolis to cemeteries.
The dead were placed in tombs and, once there were only bones, were often collected and buried elsewhere. Today all the graves have a name that was given by the inhabitants according to the conformation or the presence of some details.
The first tomb we meet, at the right of the road is the tomb of the serpent, the name comes from a tomb in this sculpture depicting a serpent coiled around itself, which the Nabataeans symbolized eternity. Some of the graves are side stairs, which the builders needed the soul of the deceased to ascend to heaven.
Continuing towards the entrance of the canyon on the left side of the road you see the tomb of obelisks (TCI G-109), a name derived from four obelisks carved up the tomb, while further down, past the main gate, you enter the triclinic, place for the commemoration of the dead.
Graves turned into houses, you can see, in addition to entrance doors widened, even channels carved in the rock that served for the recovery of rainwater that was collected in cisterns. The Nabataeans have shown great engineers in the collection and storage of rain water in this desert region where rainfall is very rare.
Continuing along the road we come to a clearing and here begins the siq (TCI G-110), or the narrow canyon that leads to the city. The siq is a split occurred in the rock after an earthquake and then modeled the water for centuries and still is a narrow path at some points where the distance between the rocks did not exceed two meters, the entrance to the siq was considered sacred. Shortly before the dam is visible and the Nabataeans tunnel dug into the rock to drain rainwater and prevent flooding in the ancient city. We enter the siq and after a few meters, we see the remains of Roman triumphal arch, which indicates the entrance to the city. Along the walls are visible, cut into the channels and pipes of terra cotta and carrying the water that collected rainwater in cisterns.
You walk in the siq, where the eye loses three steep high walls between 80 and 100 meters, while the sun sometimes difficult to get to the bottom rocky. The walls, oriented east or toward the sunrise, are carved altars and shrines enclosing the deities. Suddenly the wall glimpse, albeit eroded by sand carried by wind, a sculpture of two camels and two camel-size which are directed towards the city, while other figures in the opposite direction of the city. Looking upward, the guide shows us a beautiful sandstone conformation both in form and color, the shape is the work of the wind moving the sand of the desert, over the centuries has shaped the rock creating this surreal form beautiful colors: We can see yellow as sulfur, iron given by the gray and red as copper.
We continue to stretch when Mohamud makes us stop and tells us to get near a wall, the gap that exists between the two walls glimpsed a particularly finely decorated, and the Temple treasury of Pharaoh (TCI G-111): we arrived in Petra!
After the siq, between walls of sandstone we emerged into a small clearing in the place where the opposite side stands this magnificent church, called in Arabic Al-Khaznah, from the beautiful architecture, from the fine and delicate decorations.

Part 2

We stop to take pictures, see it in all its beauty, we come to visit the interior and it is amazing how the Nabataeans have been able to dig into the rock creating real tombs, palaces complete with front rooms with major and minor.
Recall the way to other marvels of this wonderful city in antiquity, in its peak, reached the 13,000 residents here at the bottom and an additional 12,000 adjacent hills. We see a water cistern decorated externally, then along the outer siq, we come to a first group of tombs.
The sight is lost in the sandstone walls, among the dozens of tombs, houses, made holes in the walls of the mountains, the rock assumes color of polychromatic exciting beauty and within a few grave I stop to photograph forms details of the rock with fantastic colors. Crossing the Street of Facades can admire graves dug with different architectural styles, then we come to the amphitheater (TCI G-113). While we admire in all its glory this realization that contained 3,000 spectators, we stop for a break, a glass of mint tea we really want to, here the hot dry and windy causes great loss of body water and you should always drink between the other a little break is good for legs that have not yet disposed of the difficulty of the climb on Mount Sinai the previous days. After a few minutes of rest, the group is divided, a party who does not want to pursue a challenging climb some decided to continue along the main road and expect a huge shade tree pistachio located next to the ruins of a Roman temple . We begin to climb a ladder carved into the rock steps up the steep hill and we will traverse under a blazing sun and soon arrive at the wall of the "Royal Tombs", a name that was given to the beauty and majesty of the buildings excavated.
The first tomb we visit the tomb of Pot (TCI G-113), a tomb within the mountain having a square flanked by two outside columns, but they made nell'arenaria.
The stone was carved before being wet, which made easier the work of sculptors and allowed to obtain very refined forms. Once you set the front doors and digging the rooms, the stone was removed from later used for the construction of dwellings. This tomb, in 447 A.D. became a Christian church and they are still some visible signs that indicate its destination.
Proceed within the tomb and see the Silk named for the spectacular colors of the sandstone color, then the Corinthian Tomb (TCI G-113), which features finely crafted many capitals. Because of the sand carried by wind over the centuries, the facade was mostly smooth, but fortunately it still manages to glimpse the imposing beauty of the original structure.
Then we see the Tomb Palace (TCI G-113), an imposing tomb of three floors, where the bricks were also used (in one example) for its construction. Then, as the group goes to the pistachio tree to reach the other, Tonino and I get to see the tomb of a Roman soldier Sextus Florentinus, which is located behind the mountain, a short section on some steps carved into the rock, a drop on the apron, a quick look at the tomb and then retracing our steps we reach the group and all together we get the tree of pistachios, a huge plant which creates plenty of shade, a sign placed nearby states that have over 450 years life.
Now that the group has found can climb a hill to see the remains of a Byzantine church (G-TCI 114) where, protected by a roof, you can admire the beautiful mosaics of the floor. Front of the church baptistery, and a surprise here, the baptistry has the form of a Greek cross, is one of the earliest Christian era baptisteries, then over the centuries has become a baptistery is octagonal.
Above you see the Byzantine church of the columns, and while the group began the descent, quickly reach the site to see the remains of the blue hat whose name comes from the beautiful blue columns.
Top of descent and quickly reach the group that is stationary near the Temple of the Lion, a temple still bring to light, in fact emerge from the sand the pieces of columns is very little visible and what we have to wait that archaeologists have time to bring to light this ancient structure.
Opposite us, on the other side of the valley, you see the Great Temple at first glance may seem a single building, but are more buildings, with squares for the markets, what is striking is the imposing columns and built environment that create a magical beauty.
Nearby is Qars el Bint and the Temple of the Princess, the only church that, despite the earthquakes, remained partially standing because, for the construction of the roof beams were used in wood and sandstone, and this has eased significantly the structure.
By lunch time arrives that is housed in a building in the ancient tombs and a partly covered by a tent. Food buffet where you can enjoy vegetables, lamb with a tasty green sauce, chicken roulade wrapped in a dough that looks like our flat bread, and drink a beer to drink fresh water. After lunch, a good coffee from the office to share.
It was agreed that the meeting will be at 17 at the gate output and the group is divided into three fringes: who returns slowly to the coach, who goes to the "monastery" a donkey, who goes to the "monastery walk . Tonina and I climb on foot to the "monastery", a Nabatean tomb, among the most beautiful was excavated near the top of a mountain to reach it you must make a journey of 2,000 steps with a height exceeding 200 meters. Abandoned dirt road in the valley, turn left begin to climb the steps cut into small sections where only a few steps have been recently redone. The climb is steep although not binding, however, winds in the valley, between the walls of the mountain where there are some graves, is a constant move between the shadows of the walls and the warm sun hitting the rocks.
Along the way there are many stalls with Bedouin than ask you if you want to buy something, the stalls are jewelry, accessories for clothing, minerals, fossils and a few antique and sometimes you see things very nice and do not are cheesy as in other tourist places. I dwell in some stalls, not to observe the above, but rather to observe the shape of people, both women and men have a beautiful look and some of the Bedouin has beautiful green eyes.
Going much you sweat, the pitch, although it is regularly maintained, but the fatigue is felt and Tonina is very athletic, my extra pounds on this occasion we feel, is like walking with a steady backpack. At some point, further down, we spot the group that is rising on a donkey, and soon after we met, I'll take a break and with the excuse to their photographs, I rest a moment in a place to ' shadow.

Part 3

I am going to leave, but I feel Michelina crying, being within walking distance run to see what happened: I Michelina standing by donkey. Following a sudden movement on a bracket was stuck with the mounting another donkey and Michelina found itself thrown, fortunately with no result, and especially was thrown from the wall and not the opposite side where it opens a cliff.
At this point we continue to walk a few meters and arrive at a pitch, is the terminus of the climb with donkeys and people are taken off from here and then on foot. I do not understand why donkeys do not go ahead, but after a few meters to get remarried alone: we come to a ledge carved into the rock a few tens of meters long and wide with a little over one part of the wall and sandstone from 'other, beneath our feet, an abyss of a few hundred meters. That's why people were down, so that someone could fall along the ledge.
We continue to climb and the sun warm you more than ever, although the steps seem regular never-ending, many people stopped to rest and catch my breath, go on and finally found a little downhill, some steps to loosen the legs and then again an uphill stretch, the road winds through the walls of sandstone when, almost by magic, on our right is the facade of the Ad-Dayr, "the monastery" (G TCI-116), this beautiful Byzantine era tomb was transformed into a monastery from which it takes its name. The facade is amazing, is among the finest, if not the most beautiful of Petra, is carved into the rock to create the front vertical have removed a lot of rock slant. This monument should be seen in the afternoon when the sun is moving westward, it enhances the colors, pink and then becomes red, red brown and the blue sky creates a unique contrast of charming beauty. I can consider myself lucky to see such magnificence, in fact, given the challenging route, however, not everybody rise far to see the tomb.
A brief stop at the refreshment to recover some breath and then proceed to the scenic spot to place a few minutes' drive. We walk on a rock desert, where the grass is sparse, sand and rock are the only elements of this landscape, the distant sky appears dark, in fact, over the mountains, the wind is carrying sand that makes the visual limited. Along the way we come to a fork, two trails lead to two lookout points and start climbing up the left, which overlooks the desert, but because of the sandy wind over the mountain range is not seen nothing but the gray / red sand. Arrival at the top of the viewpoint em'invitano to make photos, but I'm reeling, I feel dizzy, dehydration is really so, take off the backpack water bottle, sipped a little and I recover quickly, and now I can take pictures Take notes and see what we see from this site. We are leaning to the mountaintop and to look into the void, I see below me, valleys, beautiful colors derived from the rock, the green and geological conformation.
Abandoning this vantage point and go to see the landscape from the second observation point that is a few hundred yards, reached the top I find myself on an outcrop of rock between the mountain peaks that surround where I can see the valley below. While I move away from steep outcrop, looking to the left of the site and a few feet below me, the famous Nabatean sacrificial altar. The altar is clearly visible in the rock, known perfectly well carved board, the drain of blood and a hole where the same was collected, is sculpted so well that nell'arenaria seems perfectly placed.
Without taking notes and pictures down again to the "monastery" where the appointment with all those who were up here, group photos and then descend to the valley bottom. Now we trace the long road traveled in the morning. As the pain in my legs start to feel, I decide to do once rode a donkey to walk on the ancient Roman road, trotting along the majestic colonnade. The experience is really nice, go donkey allows to observe well the landscape, a spectacular sunset over the Royal Tombs of the absolute, the path of facades and other tombs. Despite the trend dell'asinello I can take some pictures, but mainly doing a little rest the weary legs. Date back to the amphitheater, where donkeys stop, pay toll and proceed to the Temple in the shadow of the Treasury. Here the group comes together again, a quick consultation and then there are those who walks toward the exit onto the siq and who expects the buggy to ride more comfortably this stretch of road. I am a little after 16, the carriages are waiting for the bargain price, the carriages do not arrive at 16.15 and conclude that we are late for an appointment. At 16.30 I decided to return on foot to the siq and revives a few meters the carriages arrive, backwards, to see to negotiate the price, but the carts are besieged by other tourists who do not respect the line of people waiting in an orderly, drivers asking € 30 to transport two people, personally I think this is a robbery itself and decides to start walking. After 30 minutes of walking are good, punctual to the gate, but we expect those who were with me a few minutes after arriving too.
We leave for the hotel, shower, dinner at 20.00 and wear comfortable shoes, take a backpack with camera, tripod and head for Petra by night. Arrive by bus to the tourist center where they make a brief presentation of the evening, the feeling is that epidermal initiative only for tourists without much added value, but given the cost of the evening, less than 12 €, I hope to be wrong. We are moving towards the valley past the entrance gate on the road ... and lit by dozens of candles we are moving towards the entrance of the siq. The half full moon lights the way well where is nice to walk. There are many people, and decide to close the group being careful not to leave anyone behind. Meanwhile take the opportunity to take some night photos using the stand that I brought with me. Reach and enter the siq, all lit by candles which create a large and impressive effect. Proceed into the canyon is fantastic with the walls partially illuminated by the moon. In the most dark, candles illuminate the road well highlighting the shadows of the Roman embankment partially composed. In short we come to the Temple treasury, the whole place is littered with candles placed on the ground between rows of mats, where to sit. A few minutes later the show begins to Bedouin music, begins a player rababah (Bedouin musical instrument) that plays some reason then succeeded by a flute that he plays for a few minutes and then nothing, no dance or no accompanying music. After this poor performance, which more than musical theater can be defined, there comes the mint tea and start selling DVD / CD Bedouin music. An exclusive evening of art and commercial culture expresses itself soon. The only thing nice is the peculiarity of the siq illuminated by light from candles and the moon.

Part 4

While retracing the siq, Don Maurizio, explains the historical facts and religious exodus of the Jewish people, meanings, symbols, rituals.
A bit disappointed we return to the hotel around 22.30 and before going to bed, I taste a cold beer.

Part 1

Wake up at 7:30, pack your bags, breakfast and then check that they are on the bus and depart from Petra, along the road we stop at a point where you can see the rocks of the mountains, access to the siq and the the city, but we have a really good eye for identifying them.
Leaving the valley, the journey continues on desert hills where the houses were built of the Bedouins, are seen in these valleys of the oaks that grow where there is water. The man is cultivating the desert area of wheat as food for sheep grazing on the hills. Internal rules for the production of corn for food use can not exceed 10% of national demand, the remainder is used by sown pasture, grain for human consumption is imported from the USA.
While Mohamud is describing life in Jordan, we come near the castle of King Baldwin: an imposing structure built atop a rocky hill, which is currently being restored. We are on the path of the Kings, a path that winds across the Jordan and, formerly, was punctuated by a series of fortresses where the population and the military could find shelter and housing.
Mohamud, with much pride on our questions again to speak of his nation, saying the pension system does not exist, or rather, as one was recently established, the system is not yet consolidated, and parents are kept by the children. The average age for women is 70 years, that of men is 69. In Jordan, schools and young people are very serious study, the school provides six years of elementary, 3 years on average, 3 years for high school and then college, where as many as 57% of students are women. The high education creates a serious shortage of manpower that is imported from Egypt, are people who were with us on the boat when we landed at Aqada? Unemployment is fairly low, as attested by the time 13%.
As a "curious" is related to the labor market, women here earn less than men, so the labor cost for companies is less than male employees and this phenomenon is that the fair sex working as employees and men are at home, most often held by women.
The clothing is free, but the scarf is a very ancient tradition, men wear this hat called Kifia and colors originally had a specific meaning:
• red and white, for the days of the week:
• white and black for mourning;
• white for the holidays.
Today, the use of colors has been crippled and kifia identify the nationality:
• red and white for Jordan:
• black and white, for Palestine;
• White, who has been to Mecca.
Mohamud then shows us some Muslim religious traditions, starting from daily prayer to be made 5 times daily at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and finally in the dark. Prayer is always anticipated by the abductions as a sign of purification.
He explains the 5 behaviors of Islam;
• God is one and merciful, and Mohammed is his prophet;
• Prayer
• Ramadan;
• alms;
• the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Continues the description of the funeral rites, where the deceased is washed, wrapped with a white sheet, then placed, temporarily, in a coffin and taken to the mosque for the funeral. Finally, is buried in the ground, and lying with his face toward Mecca. Above the tomb is a stone engraved with name, date of birth and death.
The relatives at the wake following a precise ritual:
• the first day, people gather under a tent, drinking tea and eating a date;
• the second day, the women visit the deceased reading phrases from the Koran.
Still on the subject religion, Mohamud tells us that the holidays are divided into two types:
• the small festival, which takes place at the end of Ramadan and is characterized by food that is cooked for the occasion, in addition to gifts that are made to children;
• the big feast, which takes place within two months of the pilgrimage to Mecca, where tradition has it that the event is celebrated with the sacrifice of sheep.
The customs related to religion and see a strong folk tradition among Muslims is about 85% of practitioners.
Speaking of crafts guide tells us that in Jordan are characteristic jars filled with colored sand with various figures created by the same sand, camels, palm trees are the most popular figures as well as backgrounds of mountains and desert birds, camels and palm trees.
While Mohamud tells of his homeland, the journey continues in the desert dotted with a few villages, the streets are well paved and is a pleasure to travel, the driver has a good guide.
Arriving near a village, we stop, who grounds "plumbing" for those who drink. Access to a bar, in which you open a huge gift shop and craft products, at first glance seem cheap goods, but looking good I see that the artefacts are good, if not excellent and refined workmanship . There are daggers and silver jewelry, coral necklaces and semiprecious stones, and the inevitable shisha rababah, brass coffee pots, various pottery or porcelain, chairs and card tables decorated with stones, mosaic tables with flowers or geometric motifs and an adjacent room there is a craftsman who works hard stones making necklaces and earrings.
Seeing these pleasing and refined products, it is assumed that someone in the group is dedicated to shopping and while they are busy choosing the right products, I continue our tour of the place where I can admire the fine silk rugs, as well as the wooden chairs work in cabinetmaking with Shell, that the wood takes on a gloss black with shades of beautiful. Also within the bazaar, there is a beauty department with products from near the Dead Sea.
Continue the journey and arrive in Al-Karak (TCI G-99), a town located on the "Royal Route" the ancient route linking the north to the south of Jordan dotted with castles built by the Crusaders. We reach the city completely fortified, along narrow roads where the driver must use all his skill to operate the bus to the entrance of the fortress. We visit the place, or rather what is left of it, because over the centuries, the property was looted and used as a quarry to draw material for construction of houses nearby. The fortress is truly impressive, built on multiple layers has immense size, we visit the old stables, kitchens, dining rooms and other premises for various uses. We see the narrow and hidden prisons, as well as the huge parade ground and the building which housed the crusaders.
After the visit, and we resume our journey, passing through the city near an Italian hospital founded in 1934 and still run by the Comboni Sisters.
Return to the path of the Kings headed north and as we approach we see a dip of the old landmarks, placed at regular distances of 1,420 feet, pointed the correct way for the camel that walked this ancient and important streets. Probably not since a caravan traveled more than 40/42 miles a day, every 28 or 29 milestones there was a water well where to water the animals and men.

Part 2

Along the way we spot a lot of mimosa trees and admire the edge of fields, the constant presence of the black ibis flowering plants. I am fascinated by this beautiful desert and mountain scenery, we come from near the wadi al-Mawjib (TCI G-98) over 800 meters above a deep valley in which the fund was created by engineers Greeks, breaking the river, a dam Gravity creates a reservoir whose water is used for agricultural purposes.
We descend into the river bed, the cross and go up the other side of the valley coming from the opposite side where, to our surprise, we find land cultivated with wheat and olive trees, where each piece landed includes the house of farmers owners or tenants. It 's really amazing how from one side of the valley the landscape changes dramatically from desert to green and agricultural
And 'the hour of lunch break, we stop at a restaurant where there is chicken, lamb, cream, pasta, rice and meat sauce we like a very good and tasty.
Continue the journey and approaching in Madaba (TCI G-90), we see that the cars have license plates of different color, and we ask Mohamud clarifies the mystery, the plates;
• Blank are for private vehicles;
• Red state are the means;
• Greens are for public transportation.
Arrived in the city of Madaba and cross the bus parked at a parking lot for tourists. Not having read that right the day's program, I can not grasp what there is to see this town looking quite modern. Off the bus along the streets full of local craft shops where you look rugs and mosaics, after a few minutes' walk under the scorching sun, we get near a wall, we came to the Orthodox Church of St. George (TCI G-91) . Enter in and adjacent to the church is a modern building, my curiosity is rising, I understand that going to see a mosaic, but failing to guide me, I have no other references, we access the building and a wall shown a picture depicting the mosaic. Mohamud explains the importance of this very important and wonderful masterpiece built in 600 AD Map of the Holy Land is full of religious references, and has come to this day. The magnificence of the mosaic is awesome, 16 for 6 feet, made over three million pieces. The guide based on the four cardinal points, illustrates the area shown in the mosaic, we find: the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, the city of Jerusalem with the Roman Cardo, the city of Madaba where we are. After the explanation we enter the church of San Giorgio and on the floor near the altar, we can admire this masterpiece, which, although incomplete, through the centuries, has come down to our days.
Let our way to Madaba, Mount Nebo (TCI G-93), the place where Moses saw the Promised Land, from where it dominates the Jordan, Palestine and the Dead Sea. It is also a place where there is the grave of Moses, which hitherto has not been found.
The entry is passing through a gate guarded by guards, a military Tonina stops and says "no entry". A moment of slight panic, what happens? Why not enter it? Then laughed the warden says, "is fascinating because you'd better stay here." Smiling continue our journey and soon after, going to the paved road we reach a huge milestone, a monument that has been laid during the visit of Pope John Paul II.
Today it is hot and the haze, the view can not wander endlessly and observe the "promised land". On the mountain stands a church kept by the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, which is under renovation, so it is impossible to get inside to admire the wonderful and famous mosaics made in the sixth century. Let's take a ride in a few souvenir photos and a cross of the iron cross reminiscent of Moses which heal people bitten by snakes in Wadi Rum.
Met the group recited a prayer and then we go to visit the local archaeological museum, housed in a tent are the fine mosaics.
Leaving Mount Nebo as we go along the road we stop at a workshop in mosaics. Besides being a shop where crafts are produced mosaics of all sizes and invoice, the structure also houses a school of mosaic art. Let's login to the factory where we find three people who are engaged in putting in mosaics, we explain how they are made and show us the various steps that the school adjacent c'illustrano cooperative has 250 employees of whom at least 210 are "disabled" . After visiting the museum, go to the store where you can see mosaics of every type and subject, inlaid furniture, silver jewelry, wool or silk rugs, necklaces, earrings, precious stone, pottery mosaic work.
During the visit we are given the excellent hot tea, we drink. At the end of each bus go up in Amman. Along the road that runs perfectly paved the region, we see dozens of pine trees that have grown crooked result of the constant action of wind blowing from the west. Continuing the journey, after about one hour we arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan, the vision is unique, all buildings are clad in white limestone, infusing the city a particular color, especially at sunset when the white stone turns red affected by the recent sunshine.
The extent of the city is out of sight. Amman, like Rome, was built on seven hills, is a modern city with shops, large shopping malls, streets flowing with a perfectly kept flowing traffic. A particular strikes me immediately, there is no ground for even a piece of paper and even the slightest dirt. Mohamud ask why so clean, and he explains that 24 hours on the 24th of scavengers take literally clean the entire city.
At an intersection known that firefighters carry an odd hat on top of which stands a metal spike, which recalls the style of the Austro Hungarian Empire a century ago.
We arrive at the hotel, a 20-storey structure, immediately proves a real seaport frequented by tourists and businessmen. The reception desk is a constant coming and going of people, who comes and who goes. Looking good the building looks quite dated, which is designing interiors in services, the lifts are slow, I try to walk, but can not access the stairs, so I have to wait for the lift slowly with me until my plan.
While I expect that the bags are delivered to your door, take the opportunity to read something in Amman and I continue updating my travel notes. Come the suitcases, shower and go downstairs for dinner. In the dining room, the group meets on three tables, the food is buffet style, so you can taste what most satisfies the palate and at the end of the meal is payable drinks, the waiters ask what you drink, bring receipts and ask for money. Show the rest, and I realize that is wrong, call the waiter and do a little discussion the amount, however the math is not subjective in the end, after the third "clarification" comes the rest, but still lacks something. Talking to others in the group we see that the waiters profit from the account. The return of the rest is never as it should be!

Part 3

After dinner, we decide to stay at the hotel, but the spaces for recreational activities are very limited, do a lap for various sitting rooms and then decide together to go up on the 20th floor rooftop terrace. After some waiting, we can take the elevator that takes us to the top of the hotel, but are leaving the road blocked by a bodyguard who asks us to pass. The pass to go where? The terrace and pool are occupied by a private party and must have access to the invitation. We continue our elevator and return to the ground floor, where coaches are coming to America, people filled the reception and throughout the ground floor. At this point I decide to go in the room and use the time to read and write, spend the evening reading a book written by Fabio Bourbon Petra, I've purchased in recent days. Reading, photographs and designs are exciting and the evening passes quickly in the end a good sleep.

Part 1

The alarm rings promptly at 7.00, breakfast and then to 8.00 is expected to start, but the slowness of the elevators there are a few minutes late.
Resumed our coach, we head towards the archaeological site of Jerash, an hour's walk along the road when approaching a small bridge over a river we stop, we reached the river Alzarga Jaboc; place told from the Bible that Jacob saw combat with the Angel.
It 's a place by the symbolism very strong Israel means "the man who wrestled with God" and since Jacob wrestled with the angel his name is changed to Israel, here is a change between Jacob / Israel tribe / people.
After the historical and religious explanations made by Mohamud and Don Maurizio, the journey continues to Jerash (TCI G-68), where we get there under the hot sun already high in the sky. Leaving the bus we approach the archaeological complex of the beautiful Roman city buried by the desert, was discovered only a few centuries ago, and still is a steady attention of excavation and restoration. Although much has already been excavated and rebuilt, much is still lying in the sand of the desert, waiting to be discovered.
Log in Jerash through the awesome and amazing Hadrian's Arch (TCI G-69), built in 129 AD during the visit of the Emperor. The arch made of marble is still being restored, has some beautiful and elegant sculptures. Shortly after the Arc, on the left is the race track, reconstructed on the original. Of the ancient hippodrome adjacent shops with fine mosaic floors. Nearby, the Byzantine Christian cemetery.
Before going on around the archaeological site, we stop at a bar and while we're sharing a school that shall come singing and playing flutes and drums. Fortunately stops near the walls, so that we can access the city without the hordes of schoolchildren in tow.
We enter through the ancient Roman city in South Gate, and made little headway arrive at Oval Plaza from which ran in a northerly direction, the Cardo Maximus. This huge 90 square meters long and 80 wide, is the only Romanesque square oval known throughout Asia.
Passing through what remains of the Temple of Zeus and arrive at the Theatre South (TCI G-74), made of marble, has been restored and is well preserved. He has perfect acoustics, could and can accommodate 3,500 seated spectators. On some occasions the orchestra was flooded and was the subject of representations of ships. Inside a small group of Bedouin, the desert dressed as guards, playing bagpipes and drums.
Continuing the tour, we come to what remains of three Byzantine churches:
• St. George, built in 529 A.D. the remains of the outer walls with traces of mosaic floor;
• John the Baptist, built in 531, with corner motifs that recall the four seasons;
• Cosmos and Damian, built in 533, with its mosaic floor almost entirely preserved and viewed from where you see floral, people, and Latin inscriptions.
Advancing in the city, we come to the ruins of the cathedral with the adjacent church of St. Theodosius. Outside the church a small square, was the resting place of the catechumens, adults usually walk in religious conversion, not having received the sacrament of baptism could not go to church, therefore remained in the square to listen to religious services to celebrate ' internal religious building.
But why so many churches so close together? The reason is the ancient tradition where on weekdays, the Mass could be celebrated in a church, once a day (custom surpassed by Vatican) at this point a problem arose, if you wanted to celebrate a second making do? Served another church, perhaps adjacent, as in this case.
Listening to the explanations made by Don Mohamud and Mauritius reflect the charm and intensity of subsequent events in the history and recall to mind that today's civilization many concepts taken for granted in the past and religious mores and life had a path made of rituals, signs, punctuated moments in time. Practices that today are losing their religious significance, historical and cultural would be appropriate to and deepen this culture before it is irretrievably lost.
Leaving the Christian churches, do a few meters on a hill and we access the imposing temple of Artemis (TCI G-74), where the sky soar the beautiful Corinthian columns surmounted by a magnificent marble, finely carved. Mohamud sneaks between the colossal columns arrived at the base of a stop, we point out a spoon stuck in the same basis, the spoon moves! That is the column that takes an imperceptible oscillation is shown by the spoon placed right at the base. Ambrogini getting back swing with the camera, I approach and put my hand as a reference point, I observe that the oscillation of the spoon is relevant, sometimes comes close to 10 cm. It 's really amazing to think that they are under a ten meter high column that oscillates continuously, it is better to a less "floating".
We leave the temple of Artemis and down the stairs on the hill, we reach the Cardo Maximus (TCI G-75), where our right, which turns to the north we see the Damascus Gate. The thistle built in the first century A.D. was a long road paved and arcaded sides completely. Covering it come to Nymphaeum (TCI G-77), a beautiful building dedicated to the gods of the sources at the time was enlivened by fountains of water. Later we arrive at titrapile, a circular open space, ancestor of our round road, flanked by the remains of old shops, a short distance of the shops are nearby with a fountain with a cross-shaped, carefully observe the orientation, I ask Mohamud which way is Jerusalem and note that the cross is oriented toward the holy city, is a coincidence?
Cardo Maximus continue on until we reach the Oval Plaza, stopping for photos and memories then, approaching the exit to the Arch of Hadrian, the race is a cloud of earth, what happens? Seems to see someone who is running, it seems a Roman chariot, but am I dreaming? Not at all, is undergoing a performance with the chariot race. Tourists in the stands and arena shows two chariots that are advancing rapidly, while the sides of extras wearing Roman armor, with their purple cloak. We get closer to see, but a guard us away saying that if we witness the spectacle we have to pay the ticket. The group moves, but someone manages to get close to town and take pictures.
Leaving the archaeological site, we take the bus where the air conditioner takes a bit of relief from the heat of Jerash. The program includes a visit to the fortress of al-Qalaat Rabad which arrive after a journey of more than half an hour. We approach the mountain where stands the imposing Crusader fortress, but reached the square, the leadership realizes that the road is closed for renovation, so you should walk up the hill terminal. At this point a quick reference and as the interior of the fortress of Kerak is similar to that which we have already visited, we propose an alternative Mohamud, a visit of Jerash in the afternoon for lunch and go see the Roman theater Amm

Part 2

Gladly accepted the amendment to the program and return to Jerash for lunch where the restaurant is located in the archaeological, lunch is a buffet and kitchen Jordanian offers many specialties including rice and mutton, chicken, vegetables, sauces, fruit (bananas local, small and tasty), I enjoy especially the milk with eggplant and meatballs. Our tables are located near the bread oven where the dough is rolled like a pizza and then is baked, the baked bread is fragrant, excellent and very tasty.
While there's lunch school children we met in the morning and the room comes alive cheerfully. At the end of lunch, having seen the sign of an Italian coffee, so orders, the correct choice because the coffee is really good.
After lunch we return to Amman (TCI G-50), on the bus doing a tour of the capital, we see the royal palace perched on a hill with its impressive entrance and soon after we stop to visit the Roman amphitheater (TCI G-56). Adjacent to the amphitheater were set up the museum of folklore and the folklore museum.
I decide to first visit the two museums, starting with the popular traditions where I can observe the typical dress depicted for tribe silver jewelry, necklaces semiprecious stones, cover face (women), weapons, mosaics and artifacts wool for daily use.
In folklore museum can look closely at the reconstruction of Bedouin tents, weapons firing and cutting, the reconstruction of the seller of coffee shops and cobblers, producer of pottery, are also reproduced in the interiors of homes. In other rooms are set tools for working the land, those for making baskets, grinding grain, processing of wool. While inside glass cases Brass glasses, tableware, kitchenware, books and vials for perfume.
Leaving and entering the theater, museums, climb the steep stairs to enjoy the view from the eye over the city and the imposing theater can hold 7,000 spectators.
After the visit we return to the hotel where someone decides to stay with the group continues, again by bus to a bazaar where they sell souvenirs, silver jewelry and gold, textiles, ceramics and products of the Dead Sea, some of group, clearly makes purchases.
He finished the shopping, return to the hotel, dinner and tonight I'm very careful the rest of the waiters, even pay with all coins that I have to avoid another "fraud" as the previous evening. After dinner, since the available spaces are limited, someone decides to go to make room playing cards, someone tries to call in Italy, with a group I try to do a little walk outside the hotel, we close but given the temperature really cool, we decide to return. Take the opportunity to go to bed and continue reading Petra started the previous evening.

Part 1

The wake is scheduled for 7.00 but by the time I'm awake, I saw the sun rise over Amman and pink paint the white house, the remoteness of black and threatening clouds are approaching. Breakfast and then, with a temperature that requires a really cool sweater, leaving the hotel before boarding the bus, carefully check our luggage. We leave Amman with a temperature of 22 degrees, our goal is the Dead Sea.
While traveling Mohamud, at our invitation, again to tell of Jordan, the national health system is organized in a series of surgeries not very clean which is guaranteed basic care and therefore has much better treatment facilities. The main hospital care are guaranteed by the state, but here you have to be well cared for targeting individuals.
Seeing many people of different ethnicities, we as the people who live there, says that Jordan is home to many Palestinians who have emigrated, while labor is provided by the Egyptians who come here to work for the extremely favorable exchange rate.
While traveling to our destination the morning, come close to the huge Arabian depression, depression in its bottom where there is the Dead Sea. When you reach zero sea level, the bus stops and we take the opportunity to stop and to take some photographs. It's awesome to know you're at sea level, and look from you, the vast expanse that appears in your eyes, depression infinite long hundreds of miles wide and tens. During the break, thanks to the information Mohamud, we can see Mount Nebo we saw yesterday, the hills of Jerusalem and Jericho, we will see today and the next day.
Going down the depression we get to the bottom plate and continuing in an almost deserted place where there is no form of life for the salt water and intense heat, we arrive on the shores of the Dead Sea, a resort hotel with many well-structured and some really impressive are under construction.
The largest tributary of the Dead Sea was the Jordan, but Israel with the construction of a dam has interrupted the supply of fresh water, creating two problems:
• constantly increasing salinity;
• the decrease of the water that evaporates into the sea by high temperature.
We stop at a bathhouse where you can access the beach, we rent towels and head towards the sea, with the desire to experiment with this water that 33% of its salinity makes the water line of bathers.
The water is cold, the bottom is formed by sharp stones where not to cut (as I did) you should be careful to walk, we get wet slowly and the sensation of being in water is very unusual, not sinking! It floats, but the right itself becomes a difficult task if we do not help with the supports, also swam on the back need a good push to get back straight.
While we are in the water, we see a short distance of people covered with mud, we note the point where the extract from the seabed and we decide to bring us to make the sludge. Once in place, we notice that the bottom has fallen from rocky and muddy walking over we collapse slightly, the sensation of having your feet in warm and soft mud is truly unique.
Take the mud from the bottom and sprinkle it throughout the body, do it dry and then remove it, a final bath. After treatment albeit short, to touch the skin becomes smooth and velvety, and the mud of the Dead Sea really therapeutic properties.
While we are doing the mud or the bathroom, someone has the misfortune to wet his eyes, must leave immediately and move quickly from the salt water in the shower to wash the eyes and avoid burning. Finally out from salt water, we immediately take a shower immediately to remove the salt that is deposited on the skin and costume.
We dry and then do a tour with Augustus along the beach to collect the salt crystals that are deposited on the shore.
After the stop the sea, is the lunch hour, eat buffet, and then, along the Dead Sea, heading to the border with Israel along the road bordered fields of eggplant, cabbage, zucchini, tomatoes and next the border are plantations of bananas and citrus. Remarkable, is impressive and extensive irrigation systems of the countryside; bundles of pipes along the roadway and then disperse in the arid, dry and sunny campaigns carrying the precious liquid that allows the cultivation and life.
We arrive at the border shortly before 13.30, we must be precise and quick as a festive occasion, the border closes at 14.00.
Mohamud withdraw passports with 5 € to stamp out and then went to customs to attend to all the necessary exit: after some time spent under the desert sun, Mohamud back with our all-inclusive passport visa collective departure from Jordan. Mohamud salute that can accompany us to the Israeli border, and only with the bus driver we head towards the neutral zone between the two nations. We follow a large desert area, dotted with pillboxes and barbed wire, cross endorsement, transiting the newly built bridge dedicated to King Hussein of Jordan, and then after skirting the desert hills dotted with military bunkers, we arrive at the border with Israel, where, near a huge fence covered in barbed wire, we stop for the first check, I passed and soon after we arrive in a square, is the border post where we expected our entry into Israel. We get off the bus and pick up our luggage, then in single file and a passport, start checks; bags are removed from the agents that control them, while we queued to enter the customs, check-in is very strict, does not pass anything metallic, I have to remove jacket, pouch and I wear any metal object. A woman crossing a detector is still playing, but nobody understands why some agents are getting nervous after a few attempts you discover the cause, the metal hair clips similar rigor I've never seen.
We are preparing the entry visa to Israel when customs want to visit all passports, reading the notes on the tracks, we print the visa to be attached to the passport, nothing to do, the officers are inflexible, all passports must be endorsed; Ambrogini and George try not to stamp your passport, get the chief of staff, discussion and finally all the passports are stamped. We find that a domestic provision means that from the beginning of 2008, all passports must be stamped and was removed the possibility of having the visa to be attached to the passport. Have your passport stamped by Israel means not being able to access in an Arab country except Jordan and those of us who must go, for any reason an Arab country, will remake the passport!
We get our passports stamped in single file to exit, but there is yet another control to overcome, Tonina is stopped, have a clear numerical difference between tickets and stamp, customs have a mistake in writing and must return for correction officers from the appropriate .
Finally after a long time repossess our suitcases.

Part 2

We find a person in his fifties who speaks fluent Italian, named Sergio, is in Turin and for years lived in Israel, is a really strange feeling to have an Italian guide in a foreign country, still a nice convenience for understanding dell'idioma.
After loading our luggage on the coach, Sergio tells us that we are on the plain of Judea Samaria, part of the Asian desert. Jerusalem, the goal today is a few miles away on the edge of the depression of the Dead Sea, the city has a Mediterranean climate, very cool and windy. Judea, following political event was divided in two, in the west there are the Israelis, while the east wall there are Muslims (Palestinians) and the whole is divided, as we shall see later, enormous, hideous, gigantic walls boundary.
After a short trip, we reach Jerusalem, coveted destination, final destination of our pilgrimage. The city is built on several hills, so in the coming days will include only the exact location of the sites that are listed in the Bible and that are known not only for historical events, because they have seen the passion of Jesus
Along a smooth tarmac road we reach the top of a hill where we stop, get off the bus, we are at the Mount of Olives, and is the ideal starting point to enter Jerusalem, it is seen from above, can be admired throughout the its charm. We start the tour starting from an octagonal building, we newsstand Ascension (The TCI-115), one of three places built by St. Helena, which are:
• The Chapel of the True Cross at the Holy Sepulchre;
• The Nativity in Bethlehem;
• The shrine of the Ascension at the Mount of Olives.
Mail within a walled plot, is the structure built by the Crusaders was altered by Mamelukes. At its center is a rock with the imprint like a foot. Traditionally, this is considered the place of the Ascension of Jesus
The octagonal structure has a profound symbolic meaning, the eighth is the first day following the previous week, which means continuity.
Let the shrine of the Ascension and going down a road we arrive at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with the adjacent cloister of Our Father (The TCI-115), inside the building there is a white limestone cave where Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father. The walls of the monastery and church are adorned with tables showing the prayer written in many languages and dialects.
Leaving the Basilica we will stop in a square to observe the panorama of the city, Jerusalem is the place where it says there is a rock that formed the universe is the site where Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac. Historically, this district was chosen for its constant ventilation, ideal for threshing grain. King David founded the city and Solomon enlarged and erected the first Jewish temple. When in 586 BC conquered the Persians, the Jews went into exile and then returned. Upon returning rebuild the Temple with the Ark of the Covenant, since the city had a continuous development.
In front of us we can admire the imposing golden dome of the mosque Qubbet es-Sakhra also called Mosque of Omar, the place where Muhammad ascended to heaven. Higher Sergio makes us notice the bell of the church of the Holy Sepulchre, with Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion of Jesus in his time stood at the edge of town, whereas now it is completely incorporated.
We are above the valley of Kidron, to the places where Jesus lived the Passion Week.
The viewpoint is located on the edge of a vast Jewish cemetery with a strong hold, the Jewish tradition has it that the day of resurrection, the first dead will rise again those buried under the walls of Jerusalem, then those who are resting in the valley of Kidron, and finally all others, then they died, should be among the first to revive.
Leaving the vantage point, we descend a steep road that leads us near a gate, Sergio rings the bell and despite the approaching closing time, the guard lets us: we are at the Franciscan church of the Domus Flevit (I- TCI 115), the place where Jesus wept thinking about the future destruction of the city, which occurred in 70 AD and also saw the destruction of the Temple. From the garden we can continue to enjoy the scenery of the city and see inside a cave with the ossuaries dating from Roman times. The church is made modern by drop, a slender frame and a unique charm, where the light through the windows creates bright fine games, with the altar placed opposite the Mosque of Omar.
Outside, a Byzantine mosaic of the seventh century, has one of the most rare to find: the shell symbol of early Christians.
Leaving the Domus Flevit we go to visit the huge Jewish cemetery, which occupies an entire side of the Mount of Olives. Here we can see that the Jewish graves are no pictures and flowers, only affixed on the tomb stones indicate the memory of the passing of someone.
Descending from the Mount of Olives near the Kidron Valley, we reach all'Orto of Gethsemane (The TCI-116), the place where oil was originally prepared for duties in the Temple is the place where the apostles while they slept, Jesus prayed. Here are the huge trunks of olive trees and is said to have more than 2,000 years.
We go to visit the nearby Church of All Nations (The TCI-116) where, before the high altar there is the Rock of Agony, the stone on which Jesus sweats blood. The church was designed by an Italian Franciscan friar, is decorated with mosaics on the ceiling and side walls are of stained glass. Very beautiful is the facade mosaic.
After the first lap to Jerusalem we head toward the hotel, arrive and are greeted with a welcome cocktail. While downloading the suitcases, I stop to talk with Sergio and I discover that a native of Turin, for years did the photographer, then the journalist and finally stabilized in Jerusalem has become a tourist guide, it's nice to talk to someone intelligent, calm, respectful with its own unique and pleasant style.
Sergio tells us that we are on Saturday the Jewish Passover, and then, as tradition says, tomorrow is the day the very important holiday, and although the hotel is internationally respected is the Jewish custom of using unleavened bread.
There are assigned rooms, we collect your bags, shower and then dinner, as predicted, we find the unleavened bread or unleavened bread; of rectangular cakes that look like crackers. Tasty food and matched to any food.
After dinner we decided to go for a ride to the historic city center, retrieve maps in the lobby, go out and begin to move towards the old part of town, but with much difficulty we recovered maps to guide us. We ask directions, and soon after we arrive at the Damascus Gate, we enter the old city and along the alleys we're in the market where the shops are closing, but some exercise is still open, shoemakers, butchers shop and a few photographs. Here there is a definite time, the shopkeepers can open and close whenever they want, but one thing is certain; keep open longer hours, do more business.

Part 3

We want to bring us to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but we do not know where to go, let us illustrate the street and take a lane uphill, another way, we ask, we refer back alleys in the souks other, then when we reach the square where one of two entrances to the church, we are told that the entry are closed at night.
Very tired, we return to the Damascus Gate, we walked over an hour in a fairytale where buildings, shops and streets are lit by lamps that make the place unique, and where we have no difficulty in turning streets and alleys unknown to us.
Return to the hotel and lobby are the usual group that is playing burraco, a greeting, then all to bed, tomorrow we leave to other destinations.

Part 1

The alarm does not sound the hotel, luckily I pointed my mobile phone, before descending to breakfast, continuing the arrangement of my diary, then breakfast with unleavened bread, and finally preparation for departure, driving, camera , bag, water. The appointment is in the lobby, where we all come together on time. The first goal of the day is Bethlehem, in Palestine or the West Bank.
We arrive near the border with Palestine and Sergio who has an Israeli passport must get off the bus because he can not enter Palestine, the blockade and the tensions are also visible from these things, we get a new Palestinian leadership.
Shortly after we reach the border between Israel and Palestine, a huge, huge, bleak concrete wall rises into the sky and divides the two nations, the houses stand close by him a few meters, if not quite this impressive wall adjacent gray, the barrier is really huge, complete with lights and topped by a huge amount of barbed wire, has guard towers at regular doors. And 'impressive cutting produced by this partition in the city, here we are truly a world armored, the customs checkpoints are marked by fences covered with barbed wire. We still do not continue, we do not understand why, then we see someone coming, is the marathon peace. There are many people with cameras, video cameras, the torch finally arrives with the flag of the Olympics with many people in his entourage.
We pass the customs and salt on the bus our guide to Palestine, speaks broken Italian, and tells us something of his land.
The Palestinians currently living in the poorest part of Judea and dry, while the fertile, breezy and water, have kept the Israelis, they have given the side facing toward the Arab depression, part sun, and desert unculturable.
We stop in a shop to buy Christian olive wood crafts, some items are well made, where there are interesting and beautiful icons.
Buying something becomes a form of support for the Christian population which is basically a minority. I doubt rises, the wall is not even a division of religions? On the one hand the Jews and other Muslims with a small minority of Christians?
Left the store soon we come to Bethlehem and stop in a modern car park suitable for buses, leave the building, a road that winds up the hill and soon we reach a square where one side stands the Church of the Nativity ( The TCI-241). The church has a curiosity, originally the entrance was wide, then narrowed the Crusaders to let only people on horseback and finally the front door was shrunk to just let people walk, and as the door is so low, it should not bend to bang your head. A sign of respect for the sacred site or just a defense?
In the Orthodox church whose interior is dark and neglected, with beautiful mosaics on the floor, there reigns a great confusion, disorder and there is a huge crowd for the persons present, is being a religious ceremony the altar is full of people. Who wants to see the grotto of the Nativity must get in the queue according to the indications of Orthodox priests, who are often very disorganized change the rules. To get the star of the nativity is accessed from the side of the altar I can observe the function in progress, as well as an excessive use of incense and candles, while the function is distributed bread. Finally after many pressures, some discussion with Popi (Orthodox priests), we reach the cave of the nativity. In the place where Jesus was born there is a star. Snap a few photos and then you must exit the large crowd. We go to the nearby church of Santa Catalina and in a side chapel there is an ongoing Mass with Gregorian chants dating back to St. Ambrose, Don Mauritius being a great lover of music, including once the beauty and tranquility of the song.
We leave the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and turn a little, here all the houses the windows have a large and sturdy railing.
Let Bethlehem center by bus and we head into the outskirts, at the Shepherds' Fields, where there is a modern and pretty church decorated with frescoes. Nearby is a cave, now converted into a church, legend has it that stayed here, the shepherds who visited Jesus did in fact these caves because of their shape were and are used by shepherds to shelter the animals during the night. The ceiling of the cave is completely blackened by smoke from fires in the past and candles burning in the church today. Leaving the cave we walk down the hill covered with pine and cypress, the scent emitted from the plant resin fills the lungs with fresh air and pleasant to breathe.
Recall the bus, walk along the road towards the border and passing near the huge wall of separation between the two states that appears in all its tragic event. Finally we stop for lunch, the restaurant is partially decorated for a wedding, preparations are underway for decoration and we can sit in a wing of the restaurant is not decorated yet. Vegetables, chicken, fish, rice, pasta with a sauce of vegetables and unleavened bread, in fact in Palestine since the week of Passover is not observed.
While dining I think that Jerusalem, a city now divided by this terrible and unnecessary concrete wall, but until a few years ago was a whole is truly a cosmopolitan city. And while I eat leavened bread although I think the days of Passover, the bread is easily available at stores in the neighborhood Muslim and Christian.
After lunch we head towards the border and shipped in a valley where the construction of the imposing wall was suspended and there are "only" the barbed wire and a border station. The controls are detailed, but being a coach of tourists can travel to Israel fast enough. Here we meet again Sergio waited during our visit to Palestine. We go in the suburbs of Jerusalem, arrive in a hilly area and stop at the foot of a hill, we are at En Kerem (The TCI-82), at the foot of the hill there are houses and there is a fountain whose water is very cool, being a limestone area, the water is collected and channeled into these ancient fountains not spring. The area is particularly striking in terms of landscape, Sergio says that this is the typical landscape of the land of Judea where the Israelis have come to the end of their exodus that lasted 40 years. What they found was the promised land, the land flowing with milk and honey, in fact, the milk was given by goats and honey was given by dates. In this sunny land so fertile, but was and is cultivated oats, food for animals, grain, bread for the men, the pomegranate, which requires much water, figs, olives and grapes for 's good wine, in addition to palms that give the dates only in goodness and sweetness.
Walking under the scorching sun along a paved road and stairs, go up the hill and on top, we arrive at an iron gate that gives access to the Church of the Visitation (The TCI-82) in the courtyard adjacent to the church terracotta plates hanging on the wall.

Part 2

We're going to go to church less Fernanda recognizes when a person calls her by name and he turns, Zorzi is a noted Italian basketball player, the player stops to chat a bit with us, and then salutatoci, everyone takes their turn ; find the Italians is always nice when you are in a foreign land.
Let's login to the bottom of the building has some mosaics and a cave is an ancient well, now in disuse since the water was diverted to feed the fountain, which we noted down the hill. The upper church is modern, built in Tuscan style, his native region Barluzzi architect Francesco Antonio (who also designed the church pastors), whose interior walls are covered with frescoes and a figure appears with the face of Father Barluzzi.
After the prayer of a group of countries in Eastern Europe, Franco takes place on the organ and played the Ave Maria, the Italian group accompanying the singing, a moment is truly impressive, exciting, full of piety and emotion.
We leave the church, falling back through the village and the hill we come to the Shrine of St. John the Baptist (The TCI-82). Here in the courtyard, hanging on the wall are of clay tiles with the prayer of Benedictum. The church is a crypt that the legend is the birthplace of John the Baptist. Click some photos to the crypt and then go out to resume the bus.
Returning to Jerusalem, we stop on a hill to watch the Israeli Parliament, where the front entrance there is Menorha bronze (p. I-TCI. 81), the candlestick sacred to Jews that mimics the one in the Temple which took Romans as war booty was brought to Rome and the matter is reported within Titus in Rome. The seven-branched candelabrum is, where seven represents the number of perfection and the days of the week, including Saturday is the central arm. Here we pause to remember the photos.
We continue the tour and we approach the historic part of town, we travel the road that runs beneath the ancient and massive walls of white limestone and, once we stop in a parking lot. Off the bus and on foot crossed a gateway to the city. We are about to enter the stands where the Wailing Wall. The controls are strict, we get in single file and one by one we pass under the metal detector to enter the yard. The Wailing Wall, so named because the Jews mourn the site of Solomon's Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD (Jesus wept in the destruction of Jerusalem), is preceded by a large square, a divided two parts, whose right side is reserved for women and the left is reserved for men.
Women access to their area, while Sergio accessing the men where I can watch people coming and it is compulsory to have his head covered by a hat or "kippa" or the classic headgear, various colors, tending cotton covering the occipital region of the head, which is often used by Jews to stop hair with a clip.
For those who have their heads covered the entrance to the esplanade of the Wailing Wall, there are KIPP disposable to put on paper.
Login to that on the feast of Easter is especially equipped with tables covered with a velvety fabric that mimics the shape of the Temple destroyed. Walking beside the tables we get near the Wailing Wall, where you are faithful in prayer; Sergio goes to a tunnel that opens to the left of the Wall and we access: inside are the cabinets with many books, faithful enter, take a book, sit near the wall es'immergono reading. In local, there are rolls of sheepskin handwritten and accessible by anyone. Reading these delicate rolls occurs through protective glass, the roll wound on wooden sticks is moved to the reading and then rewound.
Sergio explains that Jews study the Word is more important than work, each must devote much of his life to studying the sacred books on time and for this, here there are many books available to anyone who wants to read.
Enjoy the calm and concentration of the faithful to take some photographs, are in a unique, special and unique atmosphere reigns. The Wailing Wall is made of stone blocks and between blocks, it is customary to put the cards with prayers or intercessions, there are many. Sergio indicates the point where John Paul II made a pilgrimage he placed his note. We also explained that the wall is cleaned periodically by the present and the same cards are placed in a bag, who is buried like a person.
At 18.30 hours the siren sounds reminiscent of the ancient sound of the horn, indicating the start of the festival on Saturday. From this moment it is forbidden to do any work, is also forbidden to take pictures and take notes, in fact, inadvertently while I'm writing, I am diligently "invited" to put Moleskine and pen a keeper in this yard.
Through entries in the square are flooding many faithful, wearing party dresses or coats blacks or Western clothes, all have their heads covered: who the kippa, who by the turbans, hats from those astrakhan (indicating the regions from the Eastern Europe) and all go to pray in front of and / or supported at the Wailing Wall.
Prayer takes place in a particular way, the faithful are praying near the wall and swings continuously (back and forth) the upper body, it is astonishing to observe a high religiosity.
Let the square of the Wailing Wall, and passing through checkpoints we access the adjacent souk. Along one of two main streets of the old city, in short, we find ourselves at the Damascus Gate, is incredible, like the other night we shot a lot and Sergio today following a brief pass through the entire town. Return to the hotel that have spent the 19.30, shower and then dinner meeting here unleavened bread and the food is identical to that of the preceding evening. Spent at the hotel after dinner and chatter between card games.

Part 1

Wake up at 7:00 for breakfast I realize that is the Saturday of Passover, no food is cooked, everything is usually accompanied by unleavened bread. 8.15 is assigned to the Mount Zion, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem. On the mountain stands a Jewish neighborhood built in 1948 when the state of Israel was established, the district restructured in 1966, now looks very full with magnificent views over the city and between the houses in the district. As we walk in the air is fragrant smell the freshly baked bread, but if we are on Saturday the Passover? We head to the store and find a baker who is cooking the bread being an Arab does not celebrate the holidays so it's working normally, a reason to buy and taste the fragrant bread.
Turning to Mount Zion are part of the walls dating back to 700 BC built by Ezzecchia, this is the only place where you can see the ancient city walls. Continuing the tour we arrived in the Armenian quarter where we visit the Cathedral of St. James (The TCI-94) of the Armenian Patriarchate / Orthodox. Past the front door access to the Court of the Patriarchs in the church and then we reach the main entrance is protected by a blanket, spostatala we enter the church where you are in a religious function, we put ourselves in a corner of the church and witness the celebration, we see that the Patriarch all decked with a crown is leading the liturgy and prayers sung in Armenian is very close to Hebrew.
The structure of the church starting from the floor, appears with beautiful ceramic blue and white, the walls are hung with paintings of gilded wooden frame, the time is gray and dirty, by the smoke of dozens of candles are lit constantly. As I look at the architecture of the church, the religious service continues and there are clerics who wear a red dress, the men wear a black robe with a hat by wrapping it leaves only the face.
Leaving the cathedral, we continue on foot within the city and come to the Church of the Dormition of Mary (The TCI-119), a place where the differences between religions are more evident, for Christians this is the place where it occurred the Dormition of Mary, while the Orthodox, there occurred the ascent of the soul of Mary. The structure is kept by Franciscans from Austria and Germany the Teutonic and influence can be seen well from the rigors of the environment, including the impressive organ in the church.
Visits to the church, the crypt with the statue of Mary sleeping, leave the complex and head to the Upper Room (The TCI-119), site of Jesus' Last Supper and the Pentecost. The current structure is divided into two parts: we enter the top, here there was originally a Byzantine church that was destroyed, then rebuilt by the Crusaders with the building material found on site, now stands very well the gothic ceiling. During the centuries of domination and the church was converted into a mosque, the mihrab and is clearly visible.
Sergio tells us about the Jewish ritual of breaking bread that occurs following a precise ritual:
• It reads "Blessed Lord that You give us bread, fruit of the earth," take the bread is broken, add salt and eat;
• Then continue reciting "Blessed is the Lord that you give us the fruit of the vine, you take the bread and the wine is drawn in the eating.
Meanwhile, I listen to Sergio, I naturally thought: Today is the Sabbath of Passover and we, we are in the Holy Places, will be a chance?
We go out and access from the top or the bottom where we find a place sacred to religious Jews, here is the tomb of King David, who was buried in the old part of Jerusalem, as described in the Bible. In this place, access is allowed only to men that only their heads covered may visit the tomb, I find people here to pray, read and / or study of holy books.
Leaving the Upper Room as we head to the bus are a seller of sweets made with nuts, if it is true that the eye wants its part, the palate would surely claim the other, the stand is being stormed by the Italians who do not want to take away these delicacies.
Continue into the stands, we can admire the panorama of the old city, where shines the golden roof of the mosque of Omar. Then we go by coach at St. Peter's Church in Gallicantu (The TCI-119) and here as we approach the church, Franca met a group of Italians, his acquaintances, to tell the truth is a relative of the original Rovello who have long moved to Laino, a town near Milan, the world is sometimes just small!
The church is built where there was the house of Caiaphas the High Priest, where Jesus was brought for questioning and where, in a tank we visited, Jesus spent the night after the arrest. This is also the site of Peter's denials ("before the cock crows you will deny me three times") and hence the name "Gallicantu" here we pause to recite a psalm.
Visits to the structure, taking the bus we head towards Jericho in Palestine. During the trip Sergio shows us a DVD and a book that was on consignment. The DVD shows the locations of Israel who have seen the life of Jesus, and the book (Israeli edition written in Italian), illustrates the life of Jerusalem in Roman times, an issue very instructive to understand the daily life of the time.
Arriving near the border with Palestine, as happened yesterday Sergio down and we are continuing with the driver to Jericho (the TCI-226). Along a stretch of desert and then arrive at an oasis of palm trees, great to see so much green in the desert and continue among the shade of trees we reach what is the oldest city in the world built near a spring that became a very important center. The abundance of water and soil fertility will help to identify the name of "city of palms."
We come to the restaurant where we are welcomed with a tasting of dried fruits of sycamore and sweet dates and fleshy, a real romance for the palate and understand the "honey" of the people of Israel.
Lunch is self-service food is very good and nice, successful French fries and pizza. We are offering a bottle of white wine, wine is firm and tasty produced and bottled in Bethlehem.
After lunch I take a walk in the bazaar next to the restaurant and among many valuable souvenirs of individual publications with drawings made by British artists in the nineteenth century. representing Petra and the Arab world, but the size and weight of publications, knowing that I have the suitcase, refused to buy. I left the restaurant and the square of the hotel, there are stalls where I buy dates and sycamore fruit to take home.
Complete lunch will move into the border where there awaits Sergio and then take the direction to the desert, the Dead Sea depression, with half Qumran (The TCI-224).
The place that stands in the desert on the shores of the Dead Sea, 20 km from Jericho became known in 1947 for the discovery of "Dead Sea Scrolls, manuscripts dating to the first century. BC which are of great interest to study the Bible. The scrolls, written on sheepskin tanned, kept in sealed jars, are preserved for so long about the lack of humidity of the place, were

Part 2

Brought to light for a long time he was not given importance to the creation of Israel who succeeded in buying them. Visible today in a special air-conditioned, built in Jerusalem.
The scrolls found in cylindrical jars were wrapped in linen, written on parchment with ink coal dust, showing the first greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the ancient version of the Bible used by the Samaritans, the Psalms of the New Covenant and a book Job written in Aramaic.
These texts were written by the Essenes, a group of mystics who left Jerusalem during the time of the macabre, about the second century. BC the place was destroyed by the Romans in the first century. A.D.
Visible today in the archaeological site of water collection tanks and a few other structures situated on limestone red rock, where the presence of torrential rain, it was important to have a system for channeling and collecting the precious liquid.
As we turn the ancient ruins, I see another group appear, are also Italian and accompanied by a priest, a Passionist. Approached him and wonder if Father knows Goofy, a family friend who for years has been to Jerusalem, the father has is Father John, a close friend of his father Goofy that, once back in Italy will bring greetings. Father John teaches in Jerusalem in a Franciscan school and leisure, when it can do the tour guide. Present father John Sergio, learn Italian and have references in a foreign land is always helpful.
Returning Sergio us arising out of the greenhouses in the desert and explains that here, using brackish water found in aquifers, are starting to grow vegetables, fruit and vegetables a chance to live in this area inhospitable desert and salt.
In return we stop in the village of Bethany (the TCI-116), located at the eastern extreme of the Mount of Olives and here we visit the church of the tomb of Lazarus, also built by Father Antonio Barluzzi with a particular stone that gives a delicate pink color. The church is open and we decided to go see, just enter a Franciscan friar, suddenly starts to scream, because there is an Italian monsignor who is celebrating Mass, he claims that nobody enters during the function. The result is a clash with Sergio calm and reasonable, but I'm not tough Franciscan wants to hear reason and screams so implausible and without a logical argument. Leaving the church we are all very immature and childish behavior bothered by this person who is the true personification of the popular saying: "an ignorant from a hat and that it believes the railroad stationmaster."
Not far from the church we see a sign indicating the tomb of Lazarus, although historically it has never been found and ask for information they say we have a tomb dating back to Roman times, and similarly could be the tomb of Jesus, we pay the entrance and along a staircase carved into the rock of the mountain we come to what once was a tomb.
Leaving the surface, with the bus go back into the hotel, is about 18.00 to 19.30 and dinner is served, the menu is the repetition of the two previous nights, fancy cooking is absent.
For after-dinner Sergio organized a tour night for the suburbs, leaving the hotel and along the ancient walls we head towards the Mount of Olives, and the first stop we make is the place where we can have a panoramic ' beautiful night view of Jerusalem, thousands of lights illuminate the hill, the old show, you see well-lit walls, the mosque of Omar, the esplanade of the Temple as the best opportunity to place the tripod and take pictures at night?
The tour continues back to the walls, passing through the ancient gate leading to the Temple, through the door "garbage" (the door where the garbage was evacuated the city) along the ancient walls to a junction where take a road that leads toward the modern city. Let's stop to visit the King Hotel "the finest hotel in the city and one of the most luxurious in the world, place of residence of heads of state and great personalities. Then continue the tour by visiting the YMCA hotel (The TCI-78), where we get to see the architecture style crusader, built in 1933, its tower has a beautiful view of Jerusalem and the surrounding region, with a view that reaches the Dead Sea.
Then we walk around the neighborhood on foot back to where we are greeted by the smell emanated from the oleander and jasmine blossoms. At one point, Sergio makes us see a steeple of a church, depicting the Kaiser Wilhelm, a very unusual play, only visible with the illumination of the moon. Then takes us to see other views of Jerusalem, the old walls, some gardens, small alleys between the houses where suggestive walk among the flower pots, among the lights of the houses, among the scent of food, the festivities are about to begin Passover. We leave this area and head to another part of the district where there is a windmill lit, then taking the bus falls into a hotel in Jerusalem dell'incantevole night vision eyes. Shortly before 23 we go to sleep.

Part 1

Woke up at 7.00. Today is Sunday and Passover and, as tradition says, without breakfast cooked food and unleavened bread. At 8.15 we are ready for the planned tour of Jerusalem today is a long walk through the lanes, between the streets of this cosmopolitan city. Start your day with such excitement and curiosity about what we will see, I am fascinated by the golden dome of the Mosque of Omar, the Temple Mount and the Holy Sepulchre, goals to be my wish. But especially considering the beauty of the mosaics of Madaba, to go through the streets, the hills and find the references reproduced on the ancient mosaic.
Coach got on the parties and supersedes the Kidron Valley, we stopped under the old walls and head towards the entrance leading to the Temple Mount (The TCI-100). Access to the esplanade is the square of the Wailing Wall where we can see many believers praying near the Western Wall, with the help of some tables that we have seen in previous days. On the tables are placed the containers within which there are rolls of prayers and as already described are read by turning the wooden handles. After the usual, rituals and stringent controls, visit the Temple Mount.
The site is linked to important events of the Christian and Muslim religions, it happened here:
• the sacrifice of Isaac;
• the apparition of David;
• The night journey of Prophet.
Regarding the origin of the Temple, there are archaeological sources except the Bible. Here around 1000 BC David, did carry the Ark of the Covenant and a few decades after Solomon built the First Temple. A large space in which stood the temple proper, divided into three rectangular areas; vestibule, holy Holy of Holies. This building was a cubic room lined with gold and housed the Ark of the Covenant. Nearby altar was placed a giant bronze reserved for sacrifices. The Temple stood until the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar (586 BC).
Jews returned home they built a second temple (500 BC), though poorer than the previous scheme was a copy of Solomon. Had placed an altar in the Holy-incense, the table of the loaves and memorah; the Holy of Holies was empty, a reminder of the Covenant, who died in the destruction of the First Temple.
In 20 BC Herod, political prestige, decided to completely renovate the temple. Completed in 64 A.D. had dimensions Pharaoh called the current structure of the esplanade, had a drop of over 50 meters and was surrounded by underground halls.
Trapezoidal in shape, surrounded by mighty walls, had the northwest corner adjacent to the Antonia Fortress, where the Roman garrison could control the crowd. Inside the court of the gentiles was accessible to all, but Temple could access only the Jews purified. Looked like a fortress surrounded by massive walls within which were two courtyards, one was the area for women and one was reserved for men and priests, then the sanctuary, divided into three areas completely covered d ' gold hall, holy Holy of Holies.
In 70 A.D. after the first Jewish war, the structure was destroyed by the Romans, since Jews no longer have their time also the Aero is also denied access because it is a sacred site desecrated.
Destroyed the Temple, the Romans erected a temple to Jupiter, then demolished by Constantine.
Nal 638 the Caliph Omar Sali on the esplanade to pray at the rock of the sacrifice of Isaac. He made clear the hill of debris and built a small mosque. Then the two mosques were built and the existing mosque of Omar was erected on the site where tradition holds that Muhammad on his winged mare Burak, a night flight arrived in far-awaited Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and from there ascended to heaven.
The most important mosque for Muslims is the mosque of El-Aqsa mosque and the most famous example is that of Qubbet-Sakhra, the Dome of the Rock, such as improperly "Mosque of Omar." This building is a precious jewel of Arabic. Presents a trapezoidal base accessed passing beneath four arches at the end of the world where the sins and merits of men will be weighed on scales hanging on these porches. The mosque is an octagonal structure with four gates facing the direction of the cardinal points. During the period of the Crusaders, this mosque was transformed into a church with the name "Templum Dominni" originated here and the military order of Knights Templar.
Adjacent to the mosque there is a purifying fountain that serves for the abductions, the Muslim ritual involves washing of the feet, armpits and behind the ears before entering the mosque known as the sacredness of water, here is a symbol of purification enhanced.

We turn to the Temple Mount, what better place for photos, the group, and the beautiful architecture and colorful art Arabic? Finally photos with the background of the mosque, with a view of Jerusalem and then leave the place outside the front door we enter the cotton market, a long covered corridor which was once the cotton market and now is a piece of souks where only some stalls kept unchanged origin. From here, we access through a checkpoint at the yard of the Wailing Wall, the place is crowded with the faithful in prayer, remembering that the Jews is a public holiday, then you should not do any work, leave their notebook and camera place.
We leave the port and along the walls counterclockwise pass before excavation on the site of the ancient entrance to the Temple. We are in the valley of Kidron and the valley carved into the rock, there are four colossal funerary monuments are: the tomb of Jehoshaphat, to Assaline, that of Bnei Heriz and that of Zechariah.
We are just across the Mount of Olives and now, after a day spent on identifying well know, the garden of Gethsemane, the Jewish cemetery, the Domus Flavit, the shrine of the Ascension. We continue to walk the walls counterclockwise until we identify a gateway, we are entering east of the city: the Lion Gate, named for the statues found on the front door. We pass the door and walked a few meters reach the church of St. Anne (The TCI-107), is the best preserved Crusader church regarded as the most beautiful church in the city, and has perfect acoustics. Adjacent to the church are being excavated, where you can admire the remains of the Romanesque swimming pool and Bethasda; in this place Jesus healed the lame. Close to the pool you can watch the remains of a Byzantine church that once covered the entire site.
Not far from St. Anne's Church visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Flagellation, originally there was Hagorà here, the town square on the cover to the fortress Dell'Antonio. IIn the place where it was placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head, now stands "Flagellazio Chapel.
From this point begins the Via Dolorosa, a path littered station that covers the Via Crucis, is the path that Jesus has taken to Golgotha, the point of crucifixion.
The first station is included in a Muslim school and is only accessible on Friday when the procession Franciscans weekly.

Part 2

The Way of the Cross leads the Arab market, sometimes on the walls of houses as a cross that indicates a station, you walk, please, pilgrims travel the Via Dolorosa in the middle of the market from where scents of food, where you see stores of all kinds, but the utmost respect for all people and religions.
At one point candle Sergio ec'invita leave the road to enter a building, a hotel run by Franciscan friars of the German language, we climb onto the roof and from here we can admire a panorama of our city. Going back to the streets quickly come to the eighth station was placed where the time of Jesus ended the city walls, the ninth station is located where at noon the church bells ring in celebration.
Continuing along the Via Crucis come to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and here, the place most of the Christian religion, is full of historical contradictions. The management is entrusted to various fringe religious, Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox Christians. A melting pot of skills and representations that over the centuries has seen significant and bloody fights. Nth to avoid arguments, opening and closing the gates giving access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is entrusted to two Muslim families, one closes and another opens the gates well established schedules.
Acceder for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (The TCI-109) pass through the Orthodox church of San Michele, placed laterally to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre allows to reach the courtyard without opening the side gates.
Entering the temple immediately climb a steep staircase to the right of the staircase halls turning on itself and soon leads us to Golgotha. The place is crowded, I can barely take pictures, there is an enormous queue to get to the point where it was placed the cross. While some of the group is doing the line, coming from underneath the church of noise, it's an Orthodox procession. Sergio tells us that today is a special day, is the coincidence of Passover and Orthodox. From admire the procession headed by the Patriarch, a disorderly procession, where the clergy with banners or candlesticks, moving wildly chattering among themselves. This procession creates an unexpectedly positive side, there are few people on Golgotha, took advantage of me and I also put in a row and within minutes are on the site of the crucifixion, which placed under an altar, it touches only kneeling and putting his hand This hole in the star.
Given the presence of little people, I start looking to photograph the best shots, exploiting the weak light from candles created when the underlying church and cries are heard the voices, what happens? Being close to the balcony looked out and saw, near the Holy Sepulchre; signs that fall, candelabra used as swords, people running, screaming, terrified tourists fleeing from the church ... but what? I can not understand it. An attack? A fight? An illness? ... While I'm trying to grasp what is happening, suddenly, opens the front door, enter a squad of Jewish officers in riot gear and using the sap becomes space between people and walks quickly toward the Holy Sepulchre.
I remain stunned by such an incident, especially because they are in a place that should be considered with the utmost respect. During the procession there were tensions between Orthodox and some other group, then everything has degenerated into a furious battle "calmed down" on duty by the sudden intervention of the police truncheon blows to the reported contenders to reason.
After the contest, calm has returned to the church, and since so many people had fled in terror, we decided to continue our tour inside the immense religious complex.
Descending from Golgotha, we head into an Orthodox church located at a lower level, through the Chapel of St. Helena that has some beautiful mosaics and capitals crusaders can access the site of the Holy Cross, built by Santa. Then following the immense church, we come to the Holy Sepulchre kiosk that contains the tomb where he was buried the body of Jesus There is a lot of people in line and enter only four people at a time, entry and timing of stay are controlled by some Orthodox priests. Given the time we decide to avoid the visit of the interior and bring us lunch.
Lunch takes place in a Lebanese restaurant, where among other things, enjoy fine mutton rolls and here we are joined by staff of a gift that we thought, we also provide "a certificate of pilgrimage to Jerusalem," Sergio finally write our names in Hebrew on the certificates.
The afternoon continues with a visit to the Franciscan Church of the Cenacle, which has a modern bronze sculpture of the Last Supper, in a chapel here sanctify Sunday.
The tour continues with a visit to some public gardens where, among broom plants, mauve, olive, rosemary and lavender, there is a beautiful view of the southern part of Jerusalem, another opportunity to capture the city.
We leave by bus to the hotels and as the program does not provide anything, it is decided by three options:
• return to the hotel by bus;
• opportunity to go to eat ice cream;
• return by walking through the Old Town.
I opt for the third solution, and we enter the souk with Natalia and begin to turn observing the various shops, at one point crossing the Via Dolorosa us whale the idea of a visit to the Holy Sepulchre. Within minutes we are in church that looks deserted and only around the Holy Sepulchre is the row of people take the opportunity to return details of the church, I can see clearly the shrine of the Holy Sepulchre, where they were anointing the stone put dead bodies on the cross, the churches side where religious services were in progress, the large and colorful central ceiling. Then turn out for the suq made by the Arabs, shopping and observing moments of everyday life.
See today's Jerusalem is a modern city admire that extends seamlessly across multiple packages, but at the time of Jesus as it should appear? What are the ways that Jesus has come? Where were located buildings which are mentioned in the Bible? Questions I asked myself and that only through careful research I managed to unravel.
At the time of Jesus, Jerusalem seemed to be a fortified Roman town where they are accessed only through ports of entry and exit. Inside a main road through it almost completely and there were many houses with gardens. The pools were present in many places, water use and the spa was a feature of the period.
The main buildings were Herod's palace, the political center of the city. The Antonia Fortress, located to the north, occupied an area of 7,000 square meters and was far from a classic Spartan barracks, contained in-house luxury apartments and bathrooms in addition to military equipment.
But the largest building, an imposing and majestic was the Temple, the sacred place par excellence in its courtyards where sacrifices were offered to God Among the numerous rules governing the ritual sacrifice, the animal must be sacrificed is a pet, suitable for food, without defects and is owned by the person who offers it. In front of the Gate Nican, the pilgrims waited for hours to enter the Courtyard of the Israelites.

Part 3

From there, they could observe the full ritual of sacrifice, see the priest in charge burning incense on the altar of gold, make their entry into the legendary Sanctuary and smell the incense.
Within the precincts of the temple, stood the Sanhedrin, the council of wise men composed of 71 members, was the highest political authority, religious court of the Jewish people, composed of two factions of the Pharisees and Seducei.
Outside the city walls there is Golgotha, the place where the crucifixion took place.
All around the city stood the fortified villages consisting of houses with courtyards, rooms for men and animals and for the most part of daily life took place outdoors, in backyards and on rooftops plans. Each village was surrounded by wheat fields, screw, cotton and olive groves.
Houses in villages were farmers, shepherds, the mill, the blacksmith, the carpenter, the weaver, the mill and the Synagogue, the "house of the Assembly", the place of religious worship, is usually the largest building around the village.
Return to the hotel, we really want a shower to remove the tiredness of the day and then dinner. Dinner is a photocopy of the above.
View the walk of the day, after dinner chat between el'immancabile spent playing cards. Talking with someone in the group decide the next morning, very early of a visit to the Holy Sepulchre.

Part 1

The phone rings at 5.15, 5.30 is planned to take the meeting hall, and we're all daredevils destination point and we start with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Now the way we know it, soon we arrive at the Damascus gate, walking through the old town, we come quickly to the entrance gate of the church that is open, so enter the religious building a few minutes before 6.00. The interior is semi-desert, some churches are still closed, and then inside we go directly to the Holy Sepulchre where there are already in line, they are faithful waiting to enter the Holy Sepulchre. From time Masses were booked, access is granted to small groups in respect of pre-emption. We arrive at the Holy Sepulchre and we are seeing the dynamics of access when you open the door, leaving a group and another is entering. Some of us mingled with the group of strangers and us, in a completely random, we can come to attend the Mass.
The structure of the Holy Sepulchre in two distinct environments, a chapel and then through a small door leads to what is the Holy Sepulchre, or what is left after considering the predatory efforts made in past centuries. We are a group of Germans and the Holy Mass, clearly is in Germany, still a little amazed at our presence, but since we are calm Mass is celebrated without any problems. At 6.25 the heavy wooden door of the Holy Sepulchre is open with vehemence, the Franciscan friar guard the building, with brutal violence and cheeky ago and literally end the Mass with great force to prevent those inside the chapel to access Holy Sepulchre.
Religious? Bouncer? I just do not know how to define the Franciscan definitely not a good example of tolerance and Christian charity. These behaviors certainly not tempt or stimulate faith, anything! Disgusted by the conduct to go out of the Holy Sepulchre, I'm going to turn now open for the church and devote myself to your photos.
Absolutely right that those who maintain these historic complexes should be developed into huge museum, visited by all, following a path well established, while the religious celebrations should take place only in other places.
We leave the church and turn in ancient Jerusalem where the streets are populated with merchants who are supplying the shops and there are many vans that carry all sorts of merchandise, motor vehicles during the hours of the day I have never seen, to turn up I noticed carts and donkeys laden with goods.
Favorable view of the time we decided to visit the square of the Wailing Wall. Tonina and I, armed with good spirit we walk through the narrow alleys of the old city and the first to reach the controls, there is a lane which leads to a square where we can observe a unique and privileged position below the yard of the Wailing Wall and overlooking the Temple Mount. Grabbed by so much beauty we decide to get off before entering the square but we need to overcome the stringent police checks, nothing goes to the control of the metal detector to go I have to remove the backpack, the jacket that had hinges metal detector and the precise sounds, As in all previous controls both the backpack, and the jacket are carefully searched. After verification we enter the yard where we see many faithful in prayer and this time it seems that religion is greater than that seen previously, I look at the clock, are 7.10 and the place is full of believers. In the silence of the morning, where the only tourists and I are Tonina, the Wailing Wall we hear silence, prayers and chants of the faithful who dressed in black and with their hats are praying, is a unique feeling to experience and difficult to describe the religiosity experienced. We remain silent to admire so much faith and then, seeing the approaching time of appointment and breakfast with others in the group decide to leave the place and head towards the hotel.
We left the square, passing control then we enter the souk, where we find many shops are opening, vans supplies are completing their work, turning in the Arab side, savor the aroma of fresh bread is baked in ovens and one we pause to watch a baker's baker, and his work mixed with the fragrance of fresh bread, mixed tolerance and uniqueness of the city creates a vivid image that I carry in the back to the hotel.
We come to the Damascus Gate as the sun illuminates the recently built with its rays, the stone walls are taking a warm color that I interpret as a greeting and as both an ardent call to return to this wonderful, unique, cosmopolitan city, that even with its contradictions and conflicts, remains, in my humble opinion, unparalleled for a city that exudes the charm.
Return to the hotel in time for a shower, then breakfast and finally the preparation of cases for the departure. At 9.15 the meeting is provided in the lobby, the luggage must be prepared for shipment at the airport, so be prepared with care and only little merchandise can remain in hand luggage.
We load the luggage on the bus and before leaving this beautiful city, Sergio, since we are very punctual brings us to the square of the Mount of Olives for the last vision of the city, lit by the morning sun appears in a completely new light where the rock limestone walls are painted in rosy colors. Some souvenir photos and then it's off to Tel Aviv, leaving Jerusalem through the gentle green hills, while the bus goes fast down the road, looking lost in the colors of the farmlands. Reflect the fact that everything is lush after a few miles, just started Arabic depression, everything turns into desert.
We arrive at the airport where the controls are strict, we are about to enter the structure and Augustus was stopped and asked the passport, being of dark complexion was mistaken for Arabic and therefore controlled. Are in line when a soldier goes to the passport control, I offer you and seeing a little spoiled in the binding, and showing a picture of the times I had a beard and looks like an Arab, he asks another document for later verification. Now we inspect bags, which are put into an optical reader analyzed the machine decides if the same can be loaded directly or must Acceder inspection manual. Most of the cases is subject to inspection manual controls are very strict here. Time passes and checks are continuing, each suitcase is opened and carefully examined, someone went to do the check-in warning that are controlling most of the luggage, will certainly be familiar with this expectation. Finally, all we can to bring us the check-in, loading the bags and take your boarding pass. We head towards our exit and deposited the baggage who wish may take a little stroll in the vast airport building, where the duty free, there are many shops. Are 12.30, it's time boarding, but we rely .... someone in the group lacks a fast ride to the shops, find the last moment and are on board; to 13.30, on time take off from Tel Aviv direct to Malpensa, the commander tells us it's raining in Milan.

Part 2

We land at Malpensa, regular flight, we head to take the train to Saronno, make notes and waiting for the train to do? We just want a good coffee, find the taste of coffee is always nice. We climb on the train and quickly arrive at the station, Saronno, where the family came to fetch us, returning home is always nice, as is the comfortable warmth of the fireplace that crackles when turning on the computer begin to download photographs, and start arranging I read a newspaper while I watch with interest the short article that mentions the beating happened on the day of Passover and Orthodox in the Holy Sepulchre. I have been an eyewitness, the cutout piece of paper and I put in the inside pocket of my Moleskine to keep alive the memory of a past that is to chronicle and that we should remember in writing a travelogue. After the arrangement of photos, empty suitcases, began to transcribe the notes written in this historical, religious, cultural journey that has certainly left me with the "signs" that will be indelible in time.

Tre motivi per effettuare il viaggio dell'Esodo

• To retrace the journey made by the Israelite people is the ability to see, observe and understand in detail many aspects of cultural, geographical, historical and are presented in the Bible.

• Travelling in three neighboring countries although they are very different between them is the opportunity to learn about Egyptian culture, the Syrian, Arab and Israeli, is certainly a great cultural enrichment and human where history, art, culture and nature blend into a whole shaping unique beauty.

• End the trip to Jerusalem, a city located in the "Promised Land" means access to a cosmopolitan reality where you can see the everyday made from the melting pot of ethnicities, religions and cultures living together, an example to own and export, hoping that this coexistence can be undertaken in all parts of the world.

Thankgivings

At the end of this work, I express my personal thanks to all who have allowed the creation of this beautiful and fascinating journey, full of places, historical, cultural and naturalistic but also impregnated humanity, the dignity of peoples and of the people I got to meet. Gratitude to those who encouraged me and who helped me to realize this diary.

A special thanks to:
• Don Maurizio Corbetta, priest Rovello Porro (CO), creator of the trip.
• The travel agent Alohatour of Pavia (www.alohatour.it - tel. 0382.5395.65) for the overall organization.
• The tour operator Ancient Splendors of Turin (www.antichisplendori.it - tel. 011.8126.715) for the well-articulated program and provided useful information.
• Mohamud and Sergio, the leaders of Jordan and Israel, for the high professionalism demonstrated, for bringing us closer with ability, preparation and absolute respect for cultures and traditions of Jordanian and Israeli.
• Photos optical Luca of Balestrini Rovello Porro (tel 02.9675.2227) for the photograph given me advice and equipment.
• Simon and Peter have contributed to the presentation and the correction of the diary.

Bibliography

Bibliography
• Romeo Maggioni - The paths of exodus
• Egypt - Italian Touring Club - Issue 1995
• Jordan - Italian Touring Club - Issue 228
• Israel Palestinian territories - Italian Touring Club - 2008 Edition
• Minuzzo Marta and Roberto Cattani - Middle East - Livington & C
• Fabio Bourbon - Archaeological Guide to Petra - Magnus
• Fabio Bourbon - Petra, Art, history and itineraries in the Nabataean capital - Edizioni White Star
• Wadu Rum Desert Bedouin - Plurigraf
• Miriam Feinderg - Vomosh - Daily life in Jesus - Palphot - Israel
• Raffaele Banfi - Travelogue Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

The Author

Eclectic character, always in search of novelties for continuous improvement both personally and professionally for over 20 years is active in training, initially for voluntary associations belonging to the "third sector".
In his career could expand and develop their passion for training, planning, managing various courses and training. Has achieved and appreciated by companies and the voluntary sector where he collaborated on research, selection, training and motivation.
He is currently engaged in multiple activities, both for enterprises and associations, for which consolidates existing routes and develop new ones, always receiving broad support and high regard by all.
For years he discovered the pleasure to write and publish his diaries and in the multimedia version, enriched with photographs which has always been keen to make them exciting for those who read them.
Peter Fondrini
Teacher and trainer

Has compiled the following texts:
• Personnel selection: a path to being able to manage
• Handbook for emergency medical
• Manual training


Among his courses successfully highlight:
• Method Vivos - How to get better results through strategic planning of its activities
• Social Welfare and complementary - choices to build their own future
• The art of rhetoric - Knowing how to speak in public