A hastily made war memorial close to the Valley of Tears.
abandoned mosque
On route to the border I came across this mosque showing signs of bullet and shell damage - always sad to see the destruction of war - on both sides.
important road signs
This road from here leads up to the Syrian border and this area is under UN control because it is "disputed" territory. The road is gravel and not very wide, driving along it I met several UN convoys coming from the opposite direction. These convoys comprised of armoured cars and troop carriers moving very fast so that they are a difficult target. Problem is that the road is only one vehicle wide so I had to continually pull off the road to let these convoys past. I did make it to the border but rather than track the Syrian border up to Lebanon as I planned - I decided to turn back - unusual for me to retreat but when all the other vehicles on the road are armoured and driving fast, and when one is in a tiny Hyundai with "Budget Rent a Car" stickers on it, even I know it is time to turn back!
danger mines
There are lots of minefields in the Golan Heights left over from the many wars. This was taken driving up to the Syrian border. I drove up to the point shown on the map below, I did not take pictures in that region though as things are pretty volatile with a Syrian military build up on the other side of the border and ISIS attacks on UN troops in the area. My travel interest is not the current conflict, but exploring the older history of this region up to the Yom Yippur War.
trouble at damascus gate
Just over a week ago in Jerusalem's Old City I was walking to the Damascus Gate when there was trouble the other side; in the initial incident one person was shot dead and three police officers injured. Apparently this was followed by a riot or crowd issue, you can hear what sounds to me like a Kinetic or CS Gas round being fired on the other side of the gate in the video.
waiting game
As seen at Check Point Charlie - I really don't get it - anyone understand the significance?
strange vw
As seen in Berlin a few weeks ago - I want one - does not look like it will have many emissions.
ducati
One day I will trade my Honda CB500X in for a one of these! As seen in Berlin a few weeks ago.
hadrian's arch
As seen in Athens: Aside from being the world's first hipster - this Hadrian guy really got around - seeing his buildings everywhere in the region!
from one wall to another
Was in Berlin a few days ago and now in Israel and traveled to the West Bank - from one wall to another - but this one is still active. Will post photos as I can but in the mean time will leave the photoblog posting recent pics of other places automatically.
the great escape
All art is political - sometimes it is more overt than others - but it is all political none-the-less.
working at the wall
Although in Europe at the moment, while in Berlin I am getting in 10-12 hours writing a day, but about to take 2-weeks off for Israel soon.
bride and groom
Ephesus is a great setting for a wedding - just don't stay here for the honymoon - Anthony and Cleopatra came here for theirs and we know how that turned out!
selfie in zeus' place
selfie me
For so long I have wanted to walk on this particular street in Ephesus, so has to be worth a selfie!
going to the library
Library of Celsus as seen from under the Gate of Macaeus and Mithridates, Ephesus.
a feel for history
Visited Ephesus this week, where like me, everyone has cameras. But just down the street from here a blind man was being led by his son. I watched how the son would tell the man what building or street they were at, the man would stand for a while taking in that place, and then move on to another place. I began to wonder how much I miss understanding about the world because I am so visual. So I sat for a while not looking but just listening and feeling, and I heard Herostratus, Alexander the Great, Mark Anthony, Cleopatra, the Roman Emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Mary, the Apostle's John and Paul, and Elton John go by! And at some at some point in the history of this street all of them did just that, they all walked by this very spot.
same old gate
Every time I go to England to see my mom I visit this church and take a picture of this same old gate.
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