Jerusalem

Jerusalem sits on a hill 2,500 feet above sea level in the state of Israel. Three major religions believe it to be a holy city the Christians, the Jews, and the Arabs and because of this believe, a conflict wages. And despite the continually border changes, despite the peace talks and the moments of agreement, despite outside support or lack thereof, despite the beginning and ending of wars, the conflict goes on and it doesn't seem that it will end too soon.

The outside world is drawn to Jerusalem for personal reasons: the Jews come to the wailing wall, the Arabs to the mosque and the Christians to see where Jesus walked, or perhaps the outside world is drawn to Jerusalem's dilemma, like one might be drawn to a house on fire or a collision around the corner.

The Old City, surrounded by a stone wall and gated, is a labyrinth of noise and crowds and busloads of tourists. Shopkeepers stand stooped in their low doorways, their wares spilling out into the street seemingly, amazed at the attention.