the more I think about it the more certain I am that I wouldn't be able to psychologicaly handle seeing the kosel for the first time.

what was your reaction?

(I've never seen it before. . . apperantly going to eretz yisroel was never something that my family was able to do.)

I was underwhelmed.
It's not the physical brick wall that has an emotional meaning for me so much as what goes ON there, especially on Shabbos and Yomtov, or when there are large groups....

It was Friday night and I didn't cry.

The next time I cried enough for a nation.

After that I equalized a bit.

Sometimes the enormity of it doesn't hit you [yet you're expecting it to..] till you're away from it.
Go Friday night anyway for the experience!!

My reactions really varied between the different times I went. Sometimes I would go and feel nothing and then other times I would feel the most overwhelming, indescribable feelings possible.

I feel a very deep attachment to it. I was never overwhelmed to the point of tears, but it sends shivers down my spine just being there.

The first time I went, there were loads of inappropriately dressed tourists, just there to take pictures and touch the kosel, slipping in a note or something, preferably while talking on the cellphone and chewing gum. I just felt so bad about what the place has become, that I didnt feel anything else.

The second time, I went on motsei shabbos and the experience was completely different. The people were serious, mostly frum or at least respectful and all davening very serenely... You could still feel Shabbos in the air and the atmosphere was really magical. Since then, I only go to the kosel on motse Shabbos or very late at night.

I think it's great that Jewish tourists - as religious or irreligious as they may be - are still connected enough to their roots to make the time to visit the Kotel. Especially when you consider that probably a substantial portion of Tel-Avivians have never bothered to see it more than once or twice, if even that. I don't find that the presence of others affects my experience, to me it is a very personal thing and I feel in awe just to be in presence. But admittedly I have never gone to the Kotel during prayers or other large gatherings, though next year I am moving to Jerusalem so perhaps that will change.

They may have been physically present, but I that's about where their visit ends.

I know, but still I feel it is better than nothing.

I agree. I find it inspiring to see all the jews and non jews with no connection to judiasim who come to the kosel and have no idea how to pray, but they still recognise they are doing something good by coming.

What annoys me is the frum woman who does know how to pray, and thinks that her getting right up to the wall itself is so imporatant that its okay to push me while I am in the middle of amida.

I was 3. I doubt I was very emotional.
Next time I was 11. I was likely overwhelmed.
Next time I was 18; I don't remember my reaction.

Try a Vasikin minyan. Nothing like it.

What makes you say that?

I think what Mimi means is that their visit lacks a religious or spiritual dimension. They were simply physically present at the wall.

I wonder how a person would know what another feels or thinks or the religious impact something has on an individual at their level.

Because we must always judge books by their covers, therefore if a woman is dressed in jeans and a tank top, she obviously has no capacity for spirituality whatsoever. [/sarcasm]

The wall grows on you.