This is a post about me being back and looking back so here is a picture of my back:
The other day I walked down Rosewood Drive to the nearby Publix to pick up some much needed groceries bringing my backpack in order to make carrying it all back easier. Walking places helps me see things I wouldn't when driving and it gives me time to think which has been both refreshing and needed these past weeks. Next thing I knew, I was outside the sliding doors of the Publix taking off my backpack so that it could be inspected before I entered the building.
I quickly shouldered the bag and checked to make sure no one saw what I'd just done laughing to myself as I walked inside.
I'd made that same motion every week for 5 months: taking off my backpack outside the grocery store near my apartment in Jerusalem to be checked by the security man at the door. Habits die hard, I guess.
And here I am five months later back "home" experiencing the "familiar" which is now tinged with new-ness. Its hard to describe but if I had to make up a random analogy in order to make it seem like I know what I'm talking about its like rediscovering your old favorite band. You put the headphones in and slowly realize you remember all the lyrics and each guitar riff and drum solo. It's comfortable, familiar, but also it has been so long it feels new. Maybe that's one of the harder parts of returning: for you the people, the sites, the language, your surroundings have all changed (and perhaps you yourself have changed) in a way that those who did not experience the change, who never left and came back, with you can not fully understand.
And that's okay.
~
Living in Jerusalem was like a dream.
I was constantly catching myself looking out my window and thinking how weird it was that seeing the Temple Mount from my living room was normal. And then I would look out the window in my room and be blown away to see the sun coming out of Jordan, rising over the Dead Sea to brighten my room.
Living in Jerusalem was intense.
Jerusalem was intense because of the tension which fell upon your shoulders like a weight. This is tension between Israel's many diverse groups of people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Jerusalem especially seems to be at the center of the tension besides also being a central location for tourists from all over the world and being at the center of so much news and political debate. Jerusalem was also intense because you could just feel how people revered the many religious and cultural sites packed into the Old City. Pilgrims burning incense, praying, crying, worshipping as you walk through the ancient streets, through the ancient churches, past the ancient walls, and around the ancient mosques. It can make even the air seem heavy.
Living in Jerusalem was fun.
Don't let it's hard outer shell fool you: Jerusalem is also exciting. They say, "Pray in Jerusalem, party in Tel Aviv" which while very true neglects the fact that Jerusalem knows how to have a good time. From festivals and religious holidays to bonfires and street parties to concerts and performances, Jerusalem is not only an old city but a living, vibrant community.
~
I hope I will keep with me the Israeli tenacity, their energy and their questions.
To the American we tend to start with yes until we have to say no. In Israel I learned not to accept "no" without exploring every possible avenue to get a yes.
I hope to bring back the energy of israel as well. israelis are an active people. They celebrate the highs of life and mourn the lows. They push ahead and ever continue onward against all odds.
Questions. I thought I was curious and asked good questions until I got to israel and spent some time in the classroom where my fellow classmates were unafraid to ask and prod and dig deeper. I hope I don't let my curiosity sit unsatisfied and my questions unanswered.
~
The reality is that my semester in Israel is over and my surroundings are different now:
Instead of the call to prayer or the church bells, I hear a train whistle or simply silence
Instead of crowds of unfamiliar faces, I see faces I recognize and remember
Instead of Machane Yehuda or Damascus Gate, I shop at the local grocery store (which doesn't accept negotiations on their prices sadly...)
Instead of falafel and chips, I eat chickfila and waffle fries
Instead of "shalom" and "s'leecha" I hear "hello" and "y'all"
Instead of the sun setting over the Temple Mount, I watch it fade over my university...
- #VIEWS from apt. 75-2 (ISRAEL)
- #VIEWS from Horizon Garage (SOUTH CAROLINA)
I know my time abroad has affected me in so many other ways and I am so grateful to all my new friends who soon became good friends and to all my teachers and to all my "old" friends who visited me and let me share Israel with them.
I hope this and my other posts have at least given you a glance into my time abroad and that you'll be gracious to me when you ask "HOW WAS ISRAEL??" and I give a wildly unsatisfactory answer like "it was awesome" because I have so much to tell.
"Adventure is out there"
[ALSO, everyone go read "Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain. 'tis great. Here's a taste: “Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”]
