a mobile home

As I pack my bags once again to head "home", I use the word loosely, checking my email constantly for a distraction from the reality that I'm on the move once again and wondering to myself how on earth I've accumulated so much STUFF. In my search for distraction I came across the song above. Patrick Watson's voice is haunting and with a string ensemble it can only sweep me away into retrospective thought. This morning and some of last night I spent time relaxing, reviewing and cropping my most recent batch of photos from Egypt, (they are on the way I promise), but then I think back to my time spent here in the holy land and now my return to the states only to move again in 9 to 10 months for Peace Corps. My life leaves no room for a permanent physical home and perhaps my home can only exist in my mind. A mobile home furnished with warm thoughts of holidays with family, long conversations with friends new and old over wine, little local cafes which provide my lifeblood, and countless inflatable mattresses, convertible beds, hostels and couches...and all along the way I buy souvenirs to furnish and decorate my future physical home that I will one day sink my roots into or maybe I won't. But the dream is the carrot on the stick that keeps me from longing for something that I don't have, the dreams my mother always told me to follow. And a father who cautiously supports it all as long as I have health insurance. The dream to be a citizen of the world, make a difference, leave my mark, use my talents, defend the weak and feel at home with humanity. Ahhh the dream. The dream that leaves no familiar pillow.

But I digress, I told you this song was powerful. Enough procrastination, these bags don't seem to be packing themselves. But watch out because if you have any kind of wandering mind and a soft spot for string instruments you might be swept away as well.

Shukran and Salaam

pillows, soft fluffy pillows

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” - Lin Yutang

Now I'm not exactly "home" to my old familiar pillow but I'm back in the dorms in Jerusalem. But after the last few nights of resting my head on a hard as rock pillow this intermediate pillow which I once thought (rather cursed) to be too limp and flat is a welcome luxury now. Besides the Egyptian pillow, more details of my amazing Egyptian adventure are to follow. For now I'm going to curl up in my warm twin extra long bed and snuggle into my flexible feather pillow and dream of shishas, pyramids and camels. Stay tuned. Buenas Noches and TisbaHu 'ala kher.

hoping for smooth sailin'

I have already made my way to Tel Aviv for a weekend but tonight I have to head that way once again so that I can be first in line at the Egyptian Embassy tomorrow morning. Well first I have to find a place where I can obtain a passport sized photo of myself to attach to my visa application theeeeennnn head to the embassy. Turn in my app. wait till 2pm and hopefully pick my visa up with no problem. I of course am anticipating the worst so I have all my fingers and toes crossed because, if this whole visa thing doesn't work out thurs. its got to wait till Sunday. This would obviously mess up our time table so please send me all your prayers and good luck vibes. I'll need it.

Then once the Egyptians figure we are harmless and can travel in thier country, we will head down to the southern tip of Israel, cross the border to Egypt via the Taba crossing and catch the first bus to Cairo. I'll see you on the flip side. But while you wait, please enjoy the following photos from my first trip to Tel Aviv and Jaffa a couple of months ago.

surfs up
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walking along the beach between Tel Aviv and Jaffa
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little street in Jaffa
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church in Jaffa
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fishing boats at port in Jaffa
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not sure but it looks tasty
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show for the little kiddies and the big ones :)
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Market Near the Port

Retro
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saw this on the walk back to Tel Aviv from Jaffa area
I kind of liked it
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while having dinner and drinks on the beach this guy was near us playing guitar
pretty nice day overall

Olive Tree Planting

Last month I went to plant olive trees in the west bank with an organization "Rabbis for Human rights". I never posted about it but while looking over all my photos I decided this is something that has been a symbolic highlight. The olive tree is a symbol of Peace. We (Israelis, Palestinians, Internationals) were planting "peace" one tree at a time in the West Bank with Rabbis. I don't think I have to spell it out, it reeks of symbolism, but truly it was an experience that when I think back on it, I can see it perfectly summarizes my hopes and dreams for the future of this land and people. And I hope that I can in some way contribute to a better future for the people of this land like the little trees we planted. Peace in the Middle East my friends. peace.

a deep and permanent shift

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights;
it is a change that goes on,
deep and permanent,
in the ideas of living.”
- Miriam Beard

Bethlehem

I have gone to Bethlehem only a few times but each time I always think "WOW so this is it. The Bethlehem I read about in the Bible. It's a real place. Full of homes, stores, taxi drivers, schools, and some dang tasty falafel. Pictured below is the only stop light in town. Population of approx. 30,000.

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The Church of the Nativity

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Entrance of the Church of the Nativity. Yes, that tiny little opening is the official entrance called the "Door of Humility". We had to bend over to walk in.

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But once we walked in there was a foyer then this beautiful room below. This room is the Basilica of the Nativity and is maintained by the Greek Orthodox. The original Roman style floor has since been covered over, but there is a trap door, see below, in the modern floor which opens up to reveal a portion of the original mosaic floor..
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Stairways on either side of the Sanctuary lead down by winding stairs to the Grotto.
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The Altar of the Nativity, in the Grotto,
beneath which is the star marking the spot where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
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Another altar in the Grotto,
which is maintained by the Roman Catholics,
marks the site where Mary laid the newborn Baby in the manger..
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The adjoining Church of St. Catherine, the Roman Catholic church

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And at the end of one day I went to Beit Sahour, a town near Bethlehem, for a lecture. As I was walking I saw the taxi below. I call it the pimp taxi. Check out that Feather!
Keepin it classy in the Holy Land.