Israel

My trip to Israel got off to an eventful start. At the time, there were no direct flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv, so I had to endure a seven-hour layover in Amman, Jordan, before finally arriving in the early hours of the morning. Exhausted from the journey, I expected to head straight to my hotel, but instead I was detained at immigration. Some of the African stamps in my passport, along with my Middle Eastern background, led to additional questioning, and it took some time before I was finally cleared to enter the country.

Tel Aviv struck me as a vibrant, modern city, but I found myself far more captivated by the ancient streets of Jerusalem. Walking through the Old City, I passed sacred sites that hold deep significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Few places on Earth have shaped so much of human history, and wandering through its narrow stone alleyways, centuries-old markets, and historic landmarks felt like stepping into the pages of a history book.