Well,guys today the conflict over here was brought home to me in a big way. But, first the good parts of the day.
We started out by going to the Jordan River - not the part where Jesus was baptized as it is in the occupied area, but still it was beautiful and we enjoyed it. After that we headed up to Mount Tabor where the ascension took place. The shrine there, The Church of the Transfiguration, is incredibly beautiful!!! We enjoyed a wonderful mass in by a really nice priest. He is a Francisan monk and has only been at the parish three months. He just radiated joy at what he was doing and seemed really pleased to have us there and be able to perform mass. He said one thing that really stuck in my mind as it did everyone else's and we talked about it quite a bit at dinner. He said we must "allow God to love us".
After that, we headed toward Jerusalem. Mount Tabor is 1900 feet high and the road was twisting and winding and I got extremely carsick on the way. It got worse on the way back down and continued all the way to Jerusalem. But, we saw some beautiful scenery in the Jordan Valley and then suddenly we were in the Judean wilderness. At that is exactly what it was - a wilderness - very desolate, ugly. We saw Bedouion camps scattered here and there. Passed some shepherds with their herds of sheep and goats. It really was beginning to feel like we were in Biblical times. By now we were in the West Bank. The guide told us that we would go through some security checkpoints and might be asked to show our passports. We stopped for a break and the first thing we saw getting off the bus was several soldiers with their machine guns strapped to their backs. These were just kids!!!!
Things were changing quickly from what we have experienced so far on this trip. I was really beginning to see the evidence of what I have only read and heard about in the news.
I don't know what I was expecting Jerusalem to be like, but I was really not prepared for what I saw. Now keep in mind, this was just the journey into town - we're not really doing any sightseeing yet. But, it all just looks like a big slum!!! And the wall - I don't even know how to describe what that is like and how it made me feel. I really began to realize that we are so sheltered and naive in America - never having had a war at our doorstep. How blessed we are!!!
I believe I told you that our guide is a Palestinian. He has been very vocal about us not shopping until we get to Bethelem. He says they are struggling there and need our money. So, even though we are not touring Bethehem until next week, he took us there today to a store where he wanted us to shop. Said he knew them, they would give us some good deals. Bethlehem is very close to Jerusalem so we headed that way. And what did we encounter? Another wall is being put up there by the Isralies closing the city off. Now I am not a polititcal person and I do not know a lot about the conflict over here - I did try to brush up on it before starting this trip. And with all the talk from our guide and now seeing this wall, my sympathies were with the Palestinians. We went to the store - we all bought quite a bit. I got everything I had decided I wanted to buy here gift-wise and even bought a little jewelry for myself. I thought (and still do) that I made a pretty good deal and I felt good about helping the Palestinians.
Then something happend to change all of that. I finished my shopping before everyone else and head back to the bus. I was immediately accosted by someone outside the store tyring to sell me an agate necklace. I laughed and said no, I just spent $$$ in the store and wasn't going to spend anymore. I thought he was with the store. He told me how poor his family was - he had four children - little food - no money coming in. The necklace was only $8 and I think he saw me weakening because he started pushing harder. I started to back away and he got more forceful. I was trying to get on the bus and he was holding me back and piling more necklaces on me and talking and talking about his family. Walter had stayed on the bus to take a nap and the commotion awoke him so he became my Sir Galahad and got me back on the bus and drove the guy away. By this time, I was crying and very upset. A little bit later everyone else started coming back including our guide, but not Anna. Everyone was concerned about me and Walter told them what happened. By now, the same guy who accosted me and several others were back surrounding the bus tyring to get everyone to buy stuff. We were alarmed for Anna and asked the guide to go in and escort her out. He would not. I was very, very upset about that. Anna did make it back OK and we got out of there. I found out that these guys were not associated with the store and I still do not regret any of my purchases. But, when we go to Bethlehem next week I am going to be on my guard.
And I am questioning our tour guide. Is the situation really as dire as he painted it? Were we really helping the people of Bethlehem by purchasing from them? Did he take us there TODAY because Father BOb was not here and he knew Bob would not let him take us when he gets here next week? Is he getting a kickback? I just don't know. All I know is that I was scared and upset and I don't know where my sympathies lie anymore.
But, Walter made a very good point. We are here in country for a purpose. I am going to proceed with that purpose and I am not going to let their conflict interfere with that.
This is the Holy Lands for crying out loud. If these there major religious faiths can't get their act together, why should I try to help anyone? Let them figure it out.
BUt, we all got past that incident and got to the hotel - had a wonderful dinner (and a couple of bottles of wine). These folks I am touring with are just wonderful!!! We all get along so well and have so much fun and I am learning a lot.
Well, it's been a long, tough day. I'm going to bed. Tomorrow we have a full day of sightseeing.
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