This is just a taste of my two weeks.

We are Baha'is and we went on a pilgrimage to Israel. Our Prophet Baha'u'llah was sent in exile to Akka to the famous prison there. They basically didn't like the fact that people loved Him. Isn't this the case for all of the prophets? We were able to visit the prison and say prayers in the actual room that He was imprisoned in. One of His sons died in that prison falling through a skylight. The hardship that He and His family endured is unbelievable and indescribable. Eventually they allowed house arrest.(He was obviously a person who didn't deserve prison so the authorities eventually came around and allowed house arrest) We were able to visit the various houses in and around Akka that He lived in. Then in Haifa on Mt. Carmel there are holy places for us as well. There is a forerunner to our Prophet and His Shrine as well as our Prophet's son who was His successor(although not considered a prophet in and of himself)are in Haifa on Mt. Carmel. The gardens surrounding the houses and shrines were the most beautiful places I've ever been. The feeling of calm and peace were palpable. Even surrounded with people you often felt as if you were the only one there. It was just amazing!

I will leave you with words from our Prophet, imprisoned for 24 years for preaching this- " So powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine the whole earth" -Baha'u'llah