Jerusalem Tourists Beware!

 Although I chose to present the poem Jerusalem, My Happy Home, after listening to the recitations of the poem Tourists, I have become inspired to look more into tourism and Jerusalem. While doing some initial research, it became very apparent that most people are focused on the economic effects of tourism, rather than the social effects which tie right into the poem Tourists.

    The first line of the poem reading "Visits of condolence is all we get from them" (Amichai)  holds significance as it displays tourists initial grievances of the historical events, but these emotions are short-lived as Yehuda Amichai 2 lines later writes "And they laugh behind heavy curtains In their hotels." It seems as some tourists only feel grievances when it is convenient to them, which is harmful to the city of Jerusalem as tourists do not help heal the pain but instead lighten the significance of it by casually brushing it off. 

    Religion seems to make some people feel as if they are more important than they are, and Amichai also touches on this idea when he writes "They have their pictures taken together with our famous dead".  It seems that some tourists in Jerusalem take out the human element of the city of Jerusalem and only focus on the historical significance, allowing them to disregard common decency when interacting with the city and citizens.

How Can I be a Better Tourist?

    The first step of becoming a better tourist is understanding that although Jerusalem may be an important city to you, it is home to many other people. You don't have to strike up a conversation with every citizen of Jerusalem, but it is important to acknowledge that the citizens of Jerusalem are not props. Amichai writes about this near the end of his poem when he explains how a tour guide completely disregarded Amichai's existence and instead used him as a marker for identifying an arch from the Roman period. Amichai feels as if the tour guide has failed the city, and the tourists as the tour guide presented Jerusalem as a source of entertainment.

Planning a Trip to Jerusalem?

    We wish you happy travels! But be sure to treat the city and citizens with compassion and respect as you would in your home! Be sure to celebrate the city and not make it a visit of "condolence" as stated by Amichai.