She's Back on Stage and She's FABULOUS!!!

The reason why I came to Israel (other than to play tourist) was to see Anna in the Hebrew University production of the Elton John/Tim Rice Musical AIDA. She played Mereb, the slave (the role usually played by a male). She has three songs, lots of acting words AND a death scene. This is probably her best role (says the proud mother BUT also the Drama Director!) So very proud of her.

Write what's on your heart

Before leaving for Israel, a good friend of mine wanted the following souvenir,
"Don't bring me anything back, just write and tell me what's on your heart when you visit the sites where Jesus walked".
Well, if that's not a daunting task, I don't know what is… but it certainly had me thinking.

Below is an excerpt from the letter I wrote to him. The picture is from the Church of the Nativity. An Orthodox priest guards the main alter above the manger site.

Superficially, I am enjoying Israel and the experience. I will say that it helped tremendously to have lived in the Middle East before coming here. So much seems the same to me and thankfully it's in a comforting way. I wasn't aware of how much until I sat on a tour bus on Friday next to a Doctor from Belgium (educated but very naive in the world-sense) and to see things through his eyes was interesting. I kept telling him to relax that the Muslims weren't going to hurt him when he'd appear nervous.

Touring Bethlehem is at first a challenging experience because it's like entering another country. One enters from Jerusalem through a border control -like gate. Passports required (but not checked). Jewish people aren't allowed. The tour guide snuck through but he said "I will not open my mouth as they will know who I am and possibly shoot me" (how's that for a heart warming statement?!)

The sites are so accessible (yes there are crowds) so it's a bit overwhelming. To actually "touch" the birth place of Jesus and the spots where he dropped the cross (station 4?) and were the nails were pounded into his hands and to see the site of the tomb… all within about 30 minutes….and on top of it, we were in the Church (built on the sites) where there was a Catholic service with the organ playing and singing priests and incense to boot! alongside the Armenia monks chanting (oh yeah and more incense) and then the guide says "Would you like to go into the tomb of Joseph of Armethia, the man who probably put Jesus in his own tomb?" I lost it at that point and had to sit down (in the cave) and sort of regroup.

SO did I have a religious experience? Not really. There is actually something called Jerusalem Syndrome where, after visiting these sites, people think they are Jesus or a prophet. I didn't know this but I've found several sources that confirm it. Anna said she saw a guy at a coffee shop once here who claimed to be Jesus.

I guess what was in my heart was that a) how profoundly blessed I am to have the opportunity to view these sites. b) how amazed I am at my daughter that she can survive here for 6 months. It's very different (imagine three cultures clashing at once…yes I know, sort of like your school ;-) and it's very expensive. (what's money right?)

When I return, I will do more reading on the political and religious background of the area because I know there's a whole lot of information that I am totally missing. And yes I know one book isn't going to explain it all.

I've been wearing my Canadian pin as to not be too obviously American. I saw a demonstration (small) today that had young people carrying a banner and trying to block off a highway. The person next to me on the bus translated the banner to say "We won't take what Kerry is trying to tell us". "Oh" I said and started talking about Hockey and Moosehead beer ;-)

It's going to take me a while to process the whole experience. But at the moment I can say it was a very good one.

I've finally got it… the SOLUTION to World Peace

Souvenir necklaces purchased from the two Bedoins in the picture below. It was "Such a deal I tell you"

Those of you who have travelled with me know that when I am asked by a waitress, flight attendant, service person etc if there is anything else they can get for me, I always say "World Peace". I am ALWAYS serious, but it's a little game I play to see what kind of response I get from people. Yesterday at the hotel when replied, the young woman looked at me with all seriousness and replied: "It's certainly on my bucket list".

As I am reviewing the collection of souvenirs I've collected in the past few days, I have determined that if EVERYONE did as much contribution to our world's economy when they travel as I do, then countries would have enough money and there wouldn't be a need to fight or argue politically… everything would be okay.

So at this moment I am proposing that we start an Economic and Political revolution and buy more souvenirs. You know what the song says "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me".

There honey, how's that for rationalization?!


NOTE Of APOLOGY: I am not sure what exactly is wrong with the blog entry below. I've tried to fix it and it won't work. I think it was because I used cut and paste. Oh well, that's what you get when a non-techie person writes a blog. Sorry...

This won't be happening to me (I think?!)

Jerusalem syndrome

Photo taken on the wall of St Catherine's church near the birth (manger) site in Bethlehem

Of course as I've never visited Jerusalem before, I hadn't heard of this. While browsing the Lonely Planet book on Israel that is my new "bible", I noticed this. When mentioning it to Anna, she says she saw a man who thought he was Jesus outside a coffee shop once.

A portion of the article written by Katie Lambert on  HowStuffWorks (internet)

You're on a guided tour ofJerusalem, and your friend begins acting strangely. At first you think he's just jet-lagged and tired, but once he's wandering around in bed sheets and proclaiming himself John the Baptist, you know something's really wrong. Your friend has Jerusalem Syndrome.

Jerusalem is an important place to a great many people, especially followers of three of the world's major religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Jerusalem is the Holy City, and pilgrims flock to it every year to come closer to the foundations of their faith. For Jews, the entire city is holy, but especially the Western Wall, which is all that remains of the great Temple destroyed by the Romans. Muslims come to the Dome of the Rock, a shrine that is the third-holiest place in the Islam faith. Christians make pilgrimages to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which marks the spot where Jesus is said to be crucified and buried, and the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus is said to have traveled carrying his cross.

Jerusalem is also a highly political city, bitterly fought over by different religious and cultural factions. So in this ancient place, rich with a painful and beautiful history, perhaps it's not surprising that those who go there searching for meaning find more than what they were bargaining for. Imagine that you're a small-town girl from middle America, raised on the Bible, and you're standing at the exact same spot where Jesus, your savior, is supposed to have died. You might be disappointed -- this ordinary-looking dusty spot is what I came here to see? On the other hand, you might react with joy or awe. At this moment, you are so close to your God that it's overwhelming.

I once met a dentist named Chewy (and other things that don't seem strange when you live in a place)

This is an Israeli fire hydrant. Probably doesn't look funny to someone who lives here, but every time I see these things, I just crack it. To me, it's an alien, or an animated creature (can't you just see the smiley face that should would be placed below the "eyes?"). I am sure that people who live here don't think this is odd. When I mentioned it to Anna, she looked at me like "Crazy Crack Mom". Actually she's always done that to me, but I couldn't believe she couldn't see the humor in this.

Here's another one. When I first saw the sign, I thought "Cool… King Solomon (from the bible) is right ahead." I smiled thinking there was a tomb up ahead (I know he's dead right?) It truly took me a while to realize that it's a large hotel in Jerusalem.  So I took the picture anyway. 

Also notice the sign behind it. Everything (signage anyway) is translated in to three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English. That's amazing to someone living in the United States as we only have one to choose from (at least most places).  There are the totally different cultures, languages and "dress codes" happening here in this city and for the most part they PEACE ON EARTH 

has a whole new definition here in this part of the world. 

And finally, speaking of Peace, I have a real sense of peace now that I can put my arms around my beautiful daughter after 6 months separation. We enjoyed a beer together (a first for us at least in a public space) as she turned 21 this week.  She's looking good and sounding good. Amazing how one's children can grow up to become real, interesting people!  I saw her brother earlier this week, and he's doing great too. Happy Momma!! And now that I've got that part of peace on earth solved ( at least momentarily),  I shall sign off. One bit at a time right?!

Oh by the way, I really did meet a dentist named Chewy in Mexico. I was familiar with that name because it's a recognized Mexican nickname for someone whose first name is Jose. I've even taught a Chewy. However, the fact that this man in San Blas was a dentist made me laugh (not in his face, I was raised better than that!) However, my brother and sis in law (who know the man personally) didn't see the humor initially. 

We Will Remember Masada… and not let it happen again!

Today I went to Masada, which is a historically significant place here. I admit I had never heard of it until about a month ago when the travel agent suggested that I see it. It's on the top of a large rock near the Dead Sea. The significance is that there is a large fort built on top (by King Herod among others) and it was inhabited by Israeli inhabitants. The Romans (yes this was some time ago) wanted to attack the fort and so they staged a siege. It's quite a ways up to the top so it took them about four days to get there. Meanwhile, the Israelis soldiers decided that rather than end up slaves, they killed themselves so when the Romans got there… SURPRISE!

Apparently the Israelis now have this "We Will Remember Masada" as their Mantra now and vow never to get themselves in a position where they are attacked with no way out again.

At Least I think that's what it is. I find myself sorta of tuning out when the tour guides get on their political high horse. (Bad tourist… no biscuit). It was interesting in a "hey this is a Unesco site and I'm on top of a mountain when a great view of the River Valley sort of way. But remember that I had really never heard of it.

Then we went to the Dead Sea. I've been there before in my Kuwait life, but it was interesting to see from the other side of the sea. It's only 8 miles across at this point and so I stared at Jordan (as I stared at Israel when I was on the other side) wondering what was happening over there.

This is my friend N whom I met yesterday. We were supposed to be on the same tour, but things got complicated and so we went to the Dead Sea separately. It was his first time and he had a ball he says. I stole this picture off Facebook (with his approval). I don't do pictures of myself in a bathing suit, but you can be assured that I had a similar look (covered with therapeutic mud). Today I met some fun people from France, England and Sri Lanka. Travelling alone isn't so bad if one is willing to say Hi first.

Also, we saw a Bedoin man and his young son. I am very familiar with this site from life in Q8. I sorta felt like "home" when I saw the man with his camel parked on the side of the road. He was selling jewelry and rides on the camel. It's an honest way to make a living right?!

I found that I missed seeing camels! (go figure) So I had to enclose a photo of this handsome guy. I am not sure why he was foaming at the mouth, but he wasn't making any painful noise, so maybe he was just brushing his teeth.

Morning Day 2 Random Thoughts on the day after Shabbat

Scenes from the Wailing Wall

Notes on the above photos: I seem to be fascinated by taking photos of Jewish people. I don't know why, maybe it's because it's a stereotype, maybe it's because I just find them fascinating.  The woman with the book to her face is not hiding, she's praying and kissing the book in prayer. The group photo is my tour group. People from India, Equador, Taiwan, Israel, Belgium, Phillipines and America traveling just  to understand the world. As one said, "and that's why we travel so we understand." Beautiful words.


After watching the opening ceremony for the Olympics (something I wouldn't have been able to do at home as we don't have cable), and channel flicking through Fox new (yes!), BBC (oh I've missed it) and a variety of other channels, I am constantly amazed by the "same/same" ness of the world.

Now before you think I'm about to launch into a great political/cultural commentary (which I'm really not capable of doing), let me say that living in Kuwait for the past five years really helps me understand Israel. It's like I needed the five years in the Middle East (ME) to really try and understand where I am at this point. First of all, the food is very similar (which took some getting used to in Q8). The full breakfasts with everything from smoked salmon (a favorite!) to fruit to chocolate cake (yes!) reminds me of my favorite breakfast haunts with my Breakfast Buddies. The very friendly public face in dealing with people that Arabs use is evident here in Jerusalem. It's a little hard to explain to North Americans but there's a different sense of customer service in this part of the world. I've missed it.

However, please don't misunderstand me… I am not about to say that the people of Kuwait have lived the same life as the people of Isreal. I'm just starting to peel away my understanding of what it must be like to live in an area that some parts of the world don't even recognize as existing. And to understand the intricacies of the decades of hate and mistrust and fear would take way more knowledge than this seasoned traveller can conjure. That's why I like to travel with David because he's my walking wiki-guide to world stife.

 Yesterday when we went to Bethlehem, our tour guide E (a fantastic Israeli-Argentian man) went with us to the border (yes there is a border within the borders here) and then we met up with another tour guide who took us across. E went with us, but he didn't speak while we were in Bethlehem except in whispers. Later he told me that it's because if he even opens his mouth, the people will immediately know he's from the other side (Jewish) and he could get killed. Wow! *Granted, he was a great story teller and that could have been for effect, but who makes up stuff like that?!

We were taken to a "Christian Cultural Center" and it was explained to us (in a really nice way) that by buying souvenirs from them, we are helping them survive. It's a nicer version of saying "and my cousin owns the shop and we all will benefit from your purchases". The young man, who must have seen my eyes pop when I viewed all the nativity scenes made of Olive Wood, was VERY attentive in helping me select purchases. Every time he would show me something "better" (i.e. more expensive) and then asked me why I didn't want to purchase something of more quality. I have a budget, I'd tell him. And then he would smile as if to say "but lady you've got enough money to travel here and that's more than I have so why won't you buy my wares". There's a similar aggressiveness here that exists throughout the ME, so I was used to this sales technique. Yes there is good customer service, but one has to wear a certain metal jacket on the pocketbook AND  the heart. Because they are "good" at making you feel guilty if you don't purchase more.

Right at the border there were two men who tried very hard to get me to purchase items. One was successful, the other was not. Both used charm, guilt, hard sell and desperation as a part of their scheme. I can't say why one was more successful than the other--maybe I was worn down, maybe I felt sorry, maybe because he put the item in my hard and then kept haranguing me to give him more money (after telling me I could give what I wanted!). As I go through these experiences I always think I would love to get these guys into a classroom and have them talk about the theory and logic behind Hard Sell. I used to want get a Kirby Vacumn Salesman, a Used Car Salesman and a traveling Mormon (7th Day Adventist, etc) in a classroom and quiz them on their techniques and hard skin.

WHOA--I just re-read what I wrote and yes I am all over the place. Sorry-blame it on jet lag, blame it on trying to sound smart while drinking my 3rd cup of coffee and eating my chocolate cake (Hey-I had to eat it, it's the day after Shabbat!) Please excuse my ramblings.

What I'm trying to say is that I am so glad I have an opportunity to experience this "forbidden" culture. I am enjoying myself, learning a lot and just beginning to process all of what I am seeing and feeling. Tomorrow I meet up with Anna, who has been living here since August. I can't wait to see her (for obvious reasons) but I also am curious to see what she thinks after living here.

And now, I'm off to the Dead Sea a place where I've been before, except on the other side of the "Lake". We'll see if it's Same-Same.

Oh, by the way… Shabbat is the holy day of Jews. I don't really understand it, but let me say this… I learned that the hotel has a special elevator for those celebrating Shabbat. I know I don't understand why, but "Scoop Brown" is definitely going to find out why.

Shalom!