Leaving Jerusalem

Leaving Israel. Sitting on my suitcases in Ben Gurion airport as the only plug was in a wall! There is free wifi which is great but not place to get power and work sitting down.

In no particular order I will try to describe my experiences in Jerusalem. It was a fascinating 4 days. As I have already described my living accommodations at St George’s College, I will focus on my walking adventures in this city of multiple cultures.

I walked every morning quite early in the old city – getting lost every day at least 4 times. At 6am, the children are walking to their respective schools and the only shops which are open are selling sweets. There are some coffee houses for a quick cup with marvelous pastries (I was good.) At that early hour the busloads of tourists have not arrived so it is very peaceful. Later during the day it is wall to wall. There are also the garbage “tractors” which have a wheel base that just fits in the narrow space – with only a skinny person on each side. I always stepped into doorways to prevent part of my anatomy from remaining in the Holy City.

I did not have the book – “Ten Things you must do in Jerusalem” so I wandered, got lost and found most of them I think. The Wailing Wall and the Temple of the Mount are side by side with each religious group finding its own peace. I was not allowed into the mosque but enjoyed the surrounding area and a wonderful conversation with a Jordanian woman who visits when she can. There are many mosques, temples, and churches in to small space. I was reminded of my work in Sarajevo in the early 1990’s – it too had many holy buildings and soldiers with guns.

I am always delighted at the wonderful people I meet. I spent most of my time on my own as Rev. Heather Mueller had duties as Warden of St George’s College. We connected generally at night.

Highlights: An extremely large Torah in presentation to the West Wall with 12 men. French nuns singing in the Church of All Nations. Calls to prayer from the mosques. And above all, the beauty of the city. Two young boys taking me to the roof tops to meet their donkey who was for sale. “Please take him to America.”

The Tower of David Museum is not to be missed in the daytime or at night. I spend several hours walking thru the history of Jerusalem. It is a well-curated exhibit with multi media and English signs. At night there is an outside lights and music show that replicates the history but very visually.

I bought very little but am much richer for the experiences. I am now at the airport. I rode in a shuttle from Jerusalem with 8 young men all studying to become rabbis. One was from Texas, one Connecticut and the rest from London. All were off for a month of holiday.

Home tomorrow and feeling blessed by the God of all men.