A Visit To Jordan and Lebanon, 1962

the holy city of Jerusalem symbolizes the ancient in one of the world's youngest Nations Jordan the modern Uniforms on her troops Mark her progress while the headgear emphasizes pride in a past that anti dates the birth of Christ Arabs of mohammadan Faith the jordanians control the iCal areas of Old Jerusalem a wall separates it from the newer area in Israel Gates that were old in the days of Christ guard the narrow Twisted streets hallowed by all faiths the great temples of from minettes the Muhammad and faithful are called to prayer while Christians retrace the footsteps of Christ along the via dooso the way he followed to his crucifixion in the midst of sacred shrines the markets operate as they did centuries ago the sights and sounds too are changeless the Church of the Holy Seiler is built over the sight of Christ's tomb and offers a Haven of Peace and quiet as does The Garden of Gethsemane where he spent his last hours before the crucifixion these olive trees are a thousand years old 5 miles to the South lie the hills of Bethlehem and beyond that the Arid desert that makes up most of Jordan's land area but passable roads mostly frequented by Nomads lead North toward the mountains of Lebanon and the valley of bear here are found some of the most imposing ruins ever discovered of A Lost Civilization 6,000 years ago this was a center of civilization Balck a wonder of the world today tourists gasp at the Grandeur of the crumbling monuments the true history of the city is shrouded in mystery but it was conquered by the Romans before the birth of Christ through the centuries balbec was besieged by Turks Arabs Crusaders and the Mongols innumerable earthquakes added to the devastation that finally spelled its Tom but Majestic pillars still flank the Temple of Jupiter pillars erected 6 centuries before Christ 62 ft high and of two joined blocks Engineers today are still mystified as to how the Ancients accomplished the task a beauty whose ancestors may have had a hand in the creation of this wonder typifies the peoples who inhabit the ancient land today many of whom live as they did centuries ago wandering from place to place in a mtic [Music] life many farms today are worked as they were ages ago the worn out land is scratched at with primitive tools to bring forth an uncertain Cru [Music] in startling contrast to the impoverished farmer are the pipelines that run across his pitiful Farm carrying fabulous riches to the coast over bridges built by the Romans the pipeline snakes its way to the Mediterranean Sea and the port of sedon where lebanon's refineries turn the Black Gold into products for a fuel hungry World here again is the constant Paradox that is the Middle East an Antiquated donkey cart delivers a modern [Music] from sedon a modern Coastal Road weaves North to the capital Beirut Center of all that is modern in Lebanon the road runs through the Fertile coastal plain Lush in Rich crops in contrast with the poor Farms of the Interior here there are prolific orange and lemon Groves that can supply a large part of the world demand [Music] Beirut is the site of an international Air Terminal where planes from many lands Wing their way to Exotic Middle Eastern cities the very atmosphere of the airport with passengers from all parts of the world suggests romance and Adventure the terminal is a Crossroads where literally East Meets West B rout is rapidly becoming the most modern of Middle East [Music] cities new apartment houses crowding out the Shacks of squatters who have lived on this land for Generations kids build dream castles in bayroot as they do [Music] elsewhere progress is driving the traditional goat herds farther and farther from the city as the mushrooming city expands the old sights and smells are Vanishing the windshield reflects a growing economy that industrialization has [Music] rck but what progress is this no longer does the muen call call the faithful to prayer his place in the minettes has been taken by tape recorders and here progress compromises western dress but traditional Veil two youngsters who have been pledged by their parents to a Christian Monastery for strangely enough Lebanon is half Muslim and half Christian the population is made up of many races Arabs Gypsies and syrians [Music] a study of these types presents some fascinating Mysteries such as where did the blonde hair originate like most Middle East countries Lebanon is a nation of extremes scarcely a short walk from where a farmer tills arid Acres there are first rate hotels with swimming pools for the enjoyment of visitors and exotic Eastern foods that surprise and please the most finicky Gourmet oh the taped voice calling the faithful to final prayers hardly dies before Beirut Springs alive with its famous nightlife as in all cities catering to The Traveler there are tourist attractions that compete with authentic Native cafes you read the neon signs and you take your [Music] choice noisy and unrestrained beirut's nightlife is a gay Final Chapter to a visit to Jordan and Lebanon two countries that Loom large in the future of the Middle East [Music]