The great frustration for me as a TV producer is to condense everything I’d like to say into 30 minutes and about 3,300 words. This week in Israel could have easily filled two episodes — but we’ll design it into one powerful viewing experience.
We like to start our shows with a montage, which we carefully craft as we travel and shoot. Now that we’re wrapping up our week of filming, here’s how we’ll start our episode on “The Best of Israel”:
“Israel is filled with fascinating sights — from the holy spirit of Jerusalem to the cosmopolitan spirit of Tel Aviv, with its in-love-with-life Mediterranean beaches. Visitors ponder the fortress of Masada, and pilgrims find inspiration at the Biblical sights around the Sea of Galilee. You can bob like a cork in the super-salty Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth. And you can dive into thriving modern cities like Haifa, where both Jewish and Arab Israelis stoke the economy with a youthful and well-trained workforce. While lively multicultural café scenes seem to offer a promise of peace in Israel, any visit includes reminders of this country’s ongoing challenges. Israel is a land of tension and controversy — with protective walls, disputed settlements, and high-profile security. A thoughtful visit here is both poignant and enlightening.”
I’ll continue this Holy Land Blog series until Nov 21st. Then, to celebrate my homecoming, I’ll give a live, free slideshow lecture on Thursday, November 21st at 7 p.m. PST in Edmonds, WA. You can attend in person (registration required)…or watch the live webcast from anywhere in the world (no registration required). Learn more at Rick Steves Holy Land.
Rick,
I walked through the Damascus Gate four months ago, in addition to the Zion and Jaffa gates, to enter or exit the Old City. Thanks for the post. It was great to see again.
Your capsule description is balanced and picks a couple good things to underline (Masada, Haifa, the Dead Sea and Tel Aviv beaches). I suggest one addition in regards to Jerusalem. Maybe add a line about experiencing “cosmopolitan, lively and pedestrian-friendly modern Jerusalem, while exploring the nooks and significant religious sites of the 3,000-year-old Old City.”
Some Americans who have not visited Jerusalem see it as something of a religious settlement or Bible school. Many are not aware of how cosmopolitan the modern city is.