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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Visiting Disputed Territories: Israel’s Golan Heights

“Everything you see from here used to be Syria,” we were told. High atop a hill, we stood, surrounded by signs of war. Land mines. Barbed wire. Bunkers. A memorial pierced the sky, cutting upwards like a knife. A cool wind chilled our bones. Israel may be warm and desert-like, but neither of those things […]

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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Approaching Religious History in Tzfat

There’s something about traveling in the “Holy Land” that I’ve come to learn. There are so many influential sites crammed into tiny areas that it can start to become a bit overwhelming. And it can start to perhaps make you a little jaded. “Oh this happened here? Okay…” was the mentality I ended up with […]

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Egypt Middle East 2011/12 Photos

Photo Essay: Scenes From Tahrir Square

Tahrir Square. That’s a place that I’m fairly certain that everyone in the world knows about by now, thanks to its infamy of the birthplace of both the “Arab Spring” and Egypt‘s revolution of 2011. A place that has also gained noteriety for its harsh military crackdowns. Its a place that holds incredible significance in […]

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Israel Middle East 2011/12

Discovering History in Old Akko (Acre)

Imagine you’ve just spent 17 hours traveling to an unusual place. A place that is steeped in history. You know all about this history but so far have only seen an ultramodern airport and a nice beachside hotel. You’re in a bus, driving up Israel’s Mediterranean coast and the suddenly, BAM! History hits you right […]