Thinking Allowed: Holy land continued

We spent most of our time in Israel in three very different locations. Thought it would be exciting to say a few things about each of these places.

Jerusalem: Well, in a way everyone knows about Jerusalem and everybody always has as it is one of the world's oldest cities. Bunting's map of the world from the 16th century has Jerusalem at the center surrounded by segments that represent Africa, Europe and Asia. It is a city so ancient and so holy that wherever you dig you will find traces of past lives and bloodshed. In the words of Elie Wiesel: "You are shaking...so am I. It is because of Jerusalem, isnt it? One does not go to Jerusalem one returns to it. That's one of its mysteries." We had the privilege of visiting in a few days the most holy sites for Jews, Christians and Muslims. I love how all three sites involve rock and all are astoundingly a fifteen minute walk from each other. The girls favorite activity was walking the underground aqueduct system - a tunnel about the size of a human body, with no lights and water up to your knees that goes on for over a kilometer.

Harish is a city in Northern Israel. If you haven't ever heard of it or been there then don't worry because there is a good reason for that. Below it you will find the ruins of a 5,000 year old city and below that the ruins of a 7,000 year old city but the buildings on top are all brand new as Harish is a planned city that has been developed in the last decade. The hope is that one day it will reach a population of 100,000. The population has more than doubled (currently 30,000) in the last three years so things are looking good. Harish was officially declared a 'city' three months before our arrival. As a longtime resident of Canberra, the ultimate planned city, I am always interested in planned cities and what attributes make them successful in the long term. Harish has all sorts of technological feats built into the city (like garbages that can signal to the garbage truck when they are full) and looks peaceful and new. More importantly the city is buzzing with children and is dotted with so many playgrounds and cousins that my children immediately called this city a good one.

Eilat is a complete resort town. Sitting on the Red sea it is a strategic location politically, economically, and socially. There really aren't many towns in the desert north of Eilat but a stones throw away lies the Jordanian city of Aqaba - forever in view but a world away. In line with its role as a resort city Eilat is also a tax free zone - which meant very little to us but seems to hold importance to others. We stayed at a family centered resort hotel that was its own little world and a revealing cultural experience. For my children who are not used to a national fertility rate of 3 (yes thats right - three children in a family would be an average family size) the resort was thrilling. Children had the run of the facilities and there was a constant and free supply of slushies and popsicles doled out to the gangs of underagers to help keep them both content and hyped between activities, shows and water slides. While we did make it to the beach and on a canyon hike we mostly sheltered from the 45 degree heat in our oasis of Eilat resort life with grandparents, siblings, and cousins, and everyone else.