Wow Place #358: Broad Wall, Jerusalem, Israel
“Not all those who wander are lost.” — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
I’ve taken to getting lost.
It a feeling that’s built in me over time.
It started with my dedicating one day of every vacation to unstructured wandering. Over time, that sole, non-planned day became two days, then 4, then a week … And now, all I want to do is amble around new towns and cities, with no destination in mind.
Getting lost has become the point.
I’m not stupid, however. Or reckless. I don’t wander down dark alleys at night, or barge into sketchy bars with money hanging out of my pocket. I don’t have a death wish. I limit my idle wandering to the daytime, and I DO try to keep my wits about me, at least most of the time.
I tend to miss a LOT of tourist attractions this way, which sometimes pushes against my FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
But all in all, the benefits outweigh the advantages, I think. While other folks are seeing the very-busy Roman Colosseum, I’m stumbling upon a rarely-visited, 1500-year-old column in a quiet neighborhood just a mile away. While others are jostling for selfies in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, I’m chowing down on the longest masala dosa you’ve ever seen in a tiny café I’ve happened upon on the other side of town.
And while the tourist hordes are descending on the Western Wall or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, I’m ambling around the mostly-residential Jewish Quarter, chancing upon the amazing Broad Wall.
A massive defensive structure 7 meters (22 feet) thick, the Broad Wall dates back to the reign of King Uzziah (who reigned from 791–750 BC). Popular lore attributes it to the famed King Hezekiah (716-687 BC), who would have ordered its construction in anticipation of a massive Assyrian attack.
But no, carbon dating says otherwise. It’s all Uzziah’s wall – part of his rebuilding effort in the aftermath of damage brought about by a strong earthquake.
As landmarks go, the Broad Wall is not necessarily a sight to write home about. “Oh, Mom and Dad, you wouldn’t believe the pile of rocks I found today.” Archaeological sites can be like that—dry and dusty. What makes the Wall special is the location; it just feels like it just doesn’t belong here. I mean, this is an apartment complex! There should be a playground here, perhaps. Or a lawn. Not a 3,000-year-old ruin!
The Broad Wall feels like a discovery. A diamond in the rough. An unpolished jewel. The fruits of a gorgeous day of unstructured rambling.
(What does it take to be a world-class wanderer? Curiosity! You have to continually ask yourself, “I wonder what treasure will be around the next bend. Perhaps I’ll just go have a look-see.” More often than not, you won’t find anything particularly interesting down that next alley. Or the next one. It all depends, however, on how you define the word “interesting.” Perhaps the locals over here have a novel way of hanging their clothes. Or a door over there boasts a particularly interesting decoration. Or the neighborhood café across the yard offers an unexpectedly delicious cup of espresso. Your formless ramblings might not even deliver that level of reward. Perhaps all you gain from your ambling is a break from the crowds—a bit of peace and quiet in the middle of the tourist chaos. And when you’re not expecting it, an interesting conversation just might break out, often with someone who can’t quite figure out what you’re doing in their neighborhood.
“Why are you here, sir? Are you lost?”
“Well my friend, not all who wander are lost.”)
(Dave Blum is the creator of Dr. Clue Treasure Hunts, www.drclue.com, a teambuilding company featuring over 150 treasure hunt locations worldwide. He has visited over 40 countries in his 60+ years of life and plans to keep traveling until he gives up the ghost. Dave lives in Northern California with his wife, Donica, and their 18-year-old Maine Coon, Ava — an indoor cat who dreams of one day escaping captivity and exploring her own neighborhood Wow Places.)