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| Sabastiya is a wonderful "hidden gen" for tourists to Palestine |
I recently found myself engaged in an e-mail conversation
with the editor of a travel magazine (which, for the present, shall remain
nameless!) about whether Palestine is a “travel destination” worthy of listing
in his magazine. Without going into the historical
and political background that he and I have been discussing, I thought it might
be interesting to share some of the reasons that I gave him as to why Palestine
should be included in the “list of destinations” that his publication lists on
its website and, more importantly, to address reasons that one should consider
Palestine as a tourist destination.
I wondered, initially, if the magazine’s list included
only UN member states, as Palestine’s observer state designation may have
served to disqualify it, but, as the magazine’s list has 196 entries while the
UN’s list of “member states” has 193, I concluded this was probably not the
case (still awaiting his response!)
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| Church of the 10 Lepers, Palestine |
Mr. Editor (who I do not believe has traveled to this
part of the world) had some misinformation about border crossings, thinking
that a visa is needed to enter Israel or Palestine. Those of us who have traveled there know that
visas are not needed, a passport will suffice.
We are also aware that travelers of Palestinian heritage, regardless
what country they are citizens of (i.e. US, Great Britain, France, etc.) are
usually not allowed to enter Israel through Ben Gurion Airport in Tel
Aviv. These visitors, if they are able
to visit Palestine at all, must fly from the US to Amman, Jordan, and then
cross the border from Jordan.
And, as those of us who have spent time in this part of
the world are well aware, one does, indeed, have to cross a border from Israel
to get into Palestine – and, of course, to re-enter Israel from Palestine. Thus, the border crossing “issue” is, indeed,
a reason to separate Palestine from Israel when writing about travel in this
part of the world.
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| Palestinian cuisine is wonderful... |
“Exhibit A” in my lengthy letter to Mr. Editor pointed
out that “travel guru” Rick Steves, spent time in both Israel and Palestine in
the spring of 2013, went back later that year for filming, and, in the fall of
2014 presented three television shows on the area – one giving “background”
information about both places and the ongoing “conflict” there (http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-,
show/tv-specials/holy-land) one about travel in Israel (https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/israel)
and one about travel in Palestine (http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/season-8/palestine)
. Rick may have initially achieved fame for “Europe by the Back Door,” but
these days, if he is writing about and filming a travel destination, that means
it has become “mainstream!” And let’s
not forget travel/food guru Anthony Bourdain, who did a wonderful show on
Palestinian cuisine a year or so ago!
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| ...and the hospitality cannot be beaten!! |
Anyone who travels extensively knows that the best way to
understand a place and its people is to visit there. Palestine is a destination worthy of a visit
in its own right. At present, most
tourists who do go there are limited to a brief stop in Bethlehem, where they
pay a quick visit to the Church of the Nativity, stop at a souvenir shop
sanctioned by the (usually Israeli) tour company, and then drive back out
without ever talking to a single local, or even being aware that they were in
Palestine! If there is ever to be peace
in the Middle East, and reconciliation between these two people, it will (I
believe!) only come from getting to know “the other” as individuals. “Tell people to come and visit,” say my
Palestinian friends every time I visit.
“Tell them we are human beings.”
Well, they are – and I am!
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| Come, visit - the scenery is wonderful! |
That said, we all understand that Palestine is not a
destination for everyone. It can be a
bit short on “creature comforts” at times, although I have visited many
comfortable hotels and guest houses. And
the food is universally delicious and nutritious! But travel is not always easy. Unlike the “settler only” roads, Palestinian
roads are not always well maintained and public transportation can be
unpredictable. Still, the scenery (or at
least that part of it not destroyed by ugly settlements!) is beautiful; the
people friendly and the hospitality outstanding! And, another consideration, costs are much
less than in Israel!
