LAUREN PRAGER
Jerusalem
The streets are paved with history. You enter monotheistic religions like the center of the sun. Three, like branches, stem and divide into the likelihood that a religion ends with peace or war.
There are a few peculiarities in the pavement you walk on that inhibit cultural archaeology. I myself enjoyed traveling alone and taking the light rail from my Aunt's home. I'd often find incredible musicians while monks and real Rastafarians gathered to feel peace. Some days, I would visit the Western Wall where people from all of the world prayed their secret prayers and wrote them on small papers before folding them and putting them into the wall. They bowed to the reckoned temple.
One day, I decided to go on different paths around the ancient tourist areas to stroke my curiosity. On the paths of Judaism, the pavement is quite rocky, and as you look down, there are more steps to be taken. On the Christian path, the pavement at the Western Wall is similar, but not the same. I took a turn to the Muslim area because I respect and adore all areas and religions. After all, I am half Yemenite, and Yemenites are mostly Arabs. The pavement of the Muslim area was much smoother and had more wear on the stone. Indifferently, I entered this area forgetting that stabbings over this land is very much a reality. A man in a four-wheeler revved his gears, and as I looked forward, he had a crazy look in his eyes. He continued to rev his engine, provoking fear in me and letting me believe that he will, indeed, run me over.
Immediately I ran away, but I lost myself in the middle of Jerusalem thinking how simple and how peaceful others can be. One moment, you are glimpsing smiles and enjoying the land and the peace between societies, and then in another moment, things become violent.
The next day, I decided to go again and see if I could make friends from other religions without the extremists. I went down the same alley again earlier in the day and visited a leather sandal shop owned by a Muslim man. He was extremely kind. I paid 40 shekel for intricate leather sandals. Then I had a flashback.
I was 9 years old when my mother and family took my soul to bathe in the Jordan River. The consciousness of the ocean filled with people who pray on miracles. Even though I was a child, I distinctly remember the faces in the water, praying for their health and freedom. I sank beneath the water because it was very clean. I wanted to heal their sorrow and feel belief too. The river was calm and the people were from all religious backgrounds. There were priests baptizing and rabbis and Muslim women fully clothed with hijabs.
Jerusalem is sacred and I believe there are others who hate the thought of Israel with power because they believe it is a problem. Regardless of religion, there must be reasons why everyone who has a bible believes Israel has special meaning to this world.
I hope one day to see my family and the beautiful beaches where Jerusalem is the almighty kingdom for peace in the world! That is the note I put in the Wall. I wish all people could live in peace and enjoy the beauty of this world.