Arafat's Tomb in Palestine

Built next to the compound where he had his headquarters for many years, this mausoleum contains the tomb of Yasser Arafat, a mosque and a garden surrounded by water. An honor guard stands at his tomb, the water symbolizes a journey since it was his desire to be buried in Jerusalem. A laser beam points to Jerusalem from the top of the minaret. (See: http://www.palestinepilgrimage.org.uk/places-to-visit-in-the-holy-land/ramalah/arafats-tomb/)

From Palestine to Mahmoud Darwish

The people of Palestine built the Mahmoud Darwish Museum. No foreign donations were accepted.

Memorial to Mahmoud Darwish where he is buried.

The Mahmoud Darwish Museum is part of the cultural center of Ramallah.

An outdoor theater at the museum seats more than 500 persons.

The Mahmoud Darwish Museum opened in 2012.

Steps leading up to the museum.

Perhaps no one is more loved by the Palestinian people than Mahmoud Darwish. Buried in Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine, Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008) was Palestine's National Poet. An author and a poet, Darwish's literary works are cherished at the Mahmoud Darwish Museum (Al-Biryeh Garden). In his work, Palestine became a metaphor for the loss of Eden, birth and resurrection, and the anguish of dispossession and exile.

Qalandia Checkpoint entering Ramallah, Palestine

Entering the city of Ramallah.

Israeli guard tower at Qalandia Checkpoint.

Graffiti on Wall of President Yasir Arafat and Marwan Barghouti.

This road leads [to] the Palestinian Authority. The entrance for Israeli Citizens is Forbidden, Dangerous to your lives, and is against the Israeli law.

The city of Ramallah located in the West Bank, Palestine is just 6 miles north of Jerusalem, but it will take you an hour to get there either through the Qalandia Checkpoint or on roads that lead around the Separation (Apartheid) Wall. It is the defacto captial of the Palestinian Authority and serves as a strong political, economic and cultural center for the Palestinians. Entrance for Israeli Citizens is forbidden, as is exit for the Palestinian residents who live locked under Israeli military control.

I have visited Ramallah dozens of times in during the last 16 years -- and almost 40 trips to Israel-Palestine. The food is amazing. The hospitality is always warm. And, the city offers great hope for the future of Palestine. I pass easily through checkpoints using my American passport, but for Palestinians who aren't allowed to pass through at all -- it is a prison.

Is Ramallah different than New York?

Ramallah is different than New York. There is a giant wall that Israel built to separate it inhabitants from the rest of the world. Its not easy for tourists to visit and its people need to pass through checkpoints to exit.

But, otherwise, it isn't. Its vibrant downtown, nightlife, excellent restaurants, cultural offerings such as theater and movies, position as economic center of Palestine and its political center with dozens of government offices make it a center for the world.