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RAF Akrotiri Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1959
written by Michael French
 I went with a group on a 10 days pilgrimage to the Holy Land, organized by Padre Goodrich of St. Paul’s Church in 1959, which just so happened to coincide with the Jews Passover. The State of Israel was just ten years old, and it was like a breath of fresh air to arrive in this sacred land where Christians believe Jesus was born and walked on water.
It was also wonderful to once again sample some delicious meals. I especially remember how much I loved the taste of the fetta cheese we were given with our breakfast.Being RAF Serrvice personnel, we were all allowed to travel to Israel
without the use of a Passport. Our 1250 ID was all that was needed to enter Israel. In those troubled times it was thought an Isralie stamp in a Passport could pose a problem for those of us who may want to later enter a neighbouring country. We were booked into a charming Guest House in Tel Aviv, and from this base we took excursions to Mount Carmel in Haifa, Nazerith and the areas around the River Jordan, once Lake of Galalie. We also visited Jerusalem and I climbed the steps of King David’s Tower and viewed the Mount of Olives and again at that time was only allowed to view the Wailing Wall (the only remaining structure of King Solomans Temple)
There was also an unforgetable dip in the Dead Sea. We also visited the first Kibbutz (a collective farming community where everyone is treated equally and gives of their services freely. A most interesting project and style of living which seemed to work well. Taking a drink of water from a well which seemed a very long way down, never before tasted so fresh and sweet. Visiting the Holy Land at this time in my young life was a most spiritual and impressionable experience, and I strangely felt so at peace in a war torn country. I did not want to leave. |
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