Even if emotions have so far not been the
main center of focus of tourism studies, an increasing number of scholars have
dedicated more attention to the influence emotions have on touristic
encounters. As Davidson and Milligan suggested “our first and foremost, most
immediate and intimately felt geography is the body, the site of emotional
experience and expression par excellence. Emotions, to be sure, take place
within and around this closest of spatial scales”. Consequently, emotions take
place in and very close to our bodies and can be caused by us or our closest
surroundings and thus as well by certain sites or situations close to our
bodies, but also attachments. Buda describes in her article how emotions
(attachments) due to tensions between the Israeli and Jordanian tour guides
caused the latters to dislike tours into Jordan for only a few days, as well as
the increase in entrance fees to Petra.
The effects of emotions were also very clearly displayed by our guide to Jesus’ Baptism site, Rustom Mkhjian. The emotions he felt and which the site causes ran like a
thread though the tour he gave us. He made clear very early on that the stories
and the emotional attachments that the stories create, are what makes the site
truly unique. The Jordan River, the Baptism site and the surrounding area is
where the encounter of religions has taken place as it is the setting of
numerous sacred stories for Christians, Jews and Muslims. Narrating parts of
these sacred stories, telling us about the significance of the archeological
sights and seeing churches pertaining to different religions, allowed the
religious emotions to spill over to us toured. Furthermore, Rustom Mkhjian told
us about his decision to stay in Jordan rather then go elsewhere for work because
of the attachment he has to this site. This stressed again how a specific place
and the emotions it causes affects the tourists who visit but also the locals
who see it on a daily basis.
Finally, admitting that I am not a big expert in religious matters or very
religious, I have to say that being told about the significance, the stories
and visiting the Baptism site have brought up emotions of ease and hope in
myself. I felt that while religions have been in conflict over centuries,
Jesus’ Baptism site is the best example that there is place for all religions
at the same time in the same place.
Dorina Maria Buda, Anne-Marie d’Hauteserre and Lynda Johnston ‘Feeling and tourism studies’ (2014) 46 102, 106-108.
John the Baptist Spring |
One of the numerous churches around the Baptism Site, pertaining to different religions |
The River Jordan only centimeters from the border to the neighboring Israel. |
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