Journal from Israel
Day 1
First impressions of Israelis: direct, straightforward, dont take crap from people, pushy
Arrived in Israel after 9 hours on a plane, got my phone, exchange rate 3.71, met tour guide, “This is yours, take whatever you want - spiritually, physically, and mentally”
Went to a beach where Roman adequate were built, the remains are still in existence
Stepping back in time,
lots of open spaces,
lots of green, trees everywhere,
vary nature orientated,
food tastes amazing,
had my first swarma - not bad,
real sugar no preservatives,
very excited to be here,
to connect to the people,
to the land,
and what life can offer.
Day 2
Hike to Golan Heights,
beautiful sights,
difficult path to the top,
fell,
but had help on the way,
commitment to finishing.
Kayaking on the Jordan River,
bamboo shoots,
reminded me of the arrival of baby Moses.
Saw Syrian border,
no one is allowed is through that terrain esp. Israelis,
will be kidnapped,
Winery,
different tastes of wines imported,
tried 3 wines,
“climbed a fucking mountain, i will drink!”
went to a bar,
crazy lights surrounded us as we danced,
shared vodka with Russians,
exhausted, sore,
happy to have met so many awesome people
Day 3
another hike,
nature was opening her arms and letting us in,
3 1/2 hours of sweat pouring down our backs,
then off to the beach,
where the sand is coarse and sticky,
felt alive,
walked on an israeli castle,
walked the streets of an Arabic city,
people selling trinkets,
drinking coffee,
saw a group of Orthodox girls,
sights, soreness, and beauty,
Shabbat - getting ready for the hassle,
last detail shopping, arguing shopkeepers about whose meat is the best,
visiting temples,
sacred - off to the golden city Jerusalem,
cobblestones, memories of a forbidden city,
never ending cycle of culture
Day 4
Heard the bell,
that begins the Shabbat,
relaxing in this city,
everything shuts down,
and rests,
stepping back in time,
all Jewish,
from taxi driver,
to the shopkeeper,
one way or another,
linked by faith,
many israeli flags in business,
temples, schools, government,
pride is here,
relaxing.
Day 5
swim,
walk,
let the waters take you,
in the zone of existing,
the knesset was beautiful,
the shabbat feeling is all around,
confronting to hear prayers,
and the bell was heard again.
Day 6
Israeli cemetry,
everyone is buried together,
no mention of rank,
just dedication to your country,
humble, peaceful,
nothing fancy,
Meir, Rabin, Leah Rabin, Yoni, and Hannah Senach,
everyone I learned about in elementary school
Yad Vashem, overwhelming but not feeling tears,
i have seen so many of these memorials,
powerful marker of the past,
saw actual Schindlers list,
saw Mr. Pages name,
felt happy to recognize,
then after all that,
the night was young,
as we took it all for a ride,
israeli women have pride in themselves,
as individuals,
dancing to the lights,
alive and in the zone.
Day 7
Kotel,
beautiful,
woman section was small,
lots of women to get through,
had a conversation,
left accomplished,
“we have the belief inside,
we dont have to it all in our buildings”
obnoxious drivers,
old city welcomes everyone,
“history makers, not bystanders”
in the middle of the Jewish quarter,
dancing our hearts out,
looking up at the heavens,
and saying thank you for bringing me here!
beautiful architecture.
Day 8
Boudin Tents,
best food ever,
everyone together under one tent,
trekking up to Masada,
to see sun the wake up,
what a beauty,
4 people had bnai mitzahs
rode a camel,
soon it will be time see you later,
no thoughts of usa yet,
respect and love,
tel aviv is next
Day 9
Tel Aviv,
modern city,
open 24/7,
lots of people,
lots of things to do,
fast paced,
beach bars,
chill and relax,
out of control,
beauty through the seas eyes,
walking through dark corners,
sleep tonight,
last day tomorrow.
Day 10
Rabins square,
life is apparent here,
from resurrection to rejuevation,
“show me the way so I can know the path”
last couple of hours,
hardest to swallow,
independance hall took my breath away,
the strenght that lies in the israeli soul,
will never diminsh and never falter,
“we will not apologize”
stuffed like sardines in a tiny room,
awaiting the final verdict of the resolution,
that would determine Israels future,
butterflies were playing in cementary,
entering in the USA border,
“welcome home”
US is my home, my life,
this is my freedom,
the kindness of strangers,
a magician contributing to the magic everyday,
move forward with my goals.
