#DIVIDED

I’ve traveled to Israel for one simple reason.
Not to visit a club in Tel Aviv or visit Bethlehem for religious reasons,
but to built my own image of what Israel really has become after all those years of conflict.
I felt, too much is told in a western point of view.

Particularly as a German, it is a topic I want to know about first hand,
rather than repeating stories I am told.

I traveled there for the purpose of traveling.
To get lost. To make friends.
To find whatever reveals itself to me.

And boy did I get lost. I needed to learn the hard way,
that a common navigation system does not necessarily work in Israel.

But getting off track, sparked interesting, tense and sometimes funny situations.
With armed soldiers at roadblocks directing me towards my desired destination.

Particularly in the Muslim dominated region around Acre one feels very welcome through the incredible Arabic hospitality.
I feel very comfortable as soon as I experience a common mindset of openness.
Kindness receives kindness.
 
On the other hand, experiencing the occupied territories first hand left me speechless and sad.
Even hearing provocations shouted from the watchtowers by Israeli soldiers,
just because I - an obvious westerner - showed interest towards the people
held within concrete walls and barbed wire, surrounded by guard towers like dogs.

Through beauty, laughs, tears of joy and tears of sadness.
One feeling prevailed.
I felt divided.