Sunrise in the Holy City
Trip Start
Nov 13, 2006
1
79
80
Trip End
Oct 21, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Monday, October 20, 2008
I was back in the Old City, Jerusalem. It was when I extended my stay and came to Jerusalem all those months ago that my spiritual adventure had really started, so this seemed a fitting place for it to end. Coming from Neot Semadar and the Rainbow Gathering - possibly 2 of the most chilled out places in the Universe - I could immediately sense intensity in the air. Not just that it's a hectic city, but the people. Just standing near some of the people in the Heritage House made me feel on edge.
It was the last day of Succot and religious Jews were staying out studying all night to pray with Lulavs and Etrogs (I will explain later) at Sunrise. This meant an ideal picture opportunity, as well as a nice empty dorm. I got up at 5am -which after my stint on Neot Semadar was a walk in the park - I grabbed a yarmulke, my Cannon A560, and retraced the familiar route I had made so often during my Yeshiva time through the cobbled streets of the Old City, down to the Wall.
Not a glimour of sunlight and yet it was a heaving mass of thousands. A Lulav is 4 species of long green branches clumped together, and an Etrog is an overpriced lemon. Most people had them and I knew I only had to bide my time before I would get a fantastic action photo of someone waving them about. ....But I also knew that from the roof of the Yeshiva dormitory I could get an amazing photo of the sun rising over the holy city. The chances of me ever getting up for sunrise in the holy city again were lower than the latest value of my stocks, but then again the lulav picture was also a one off chance.
I made a dash for it. Up the stairs, past the crowds, through the courtyard; I was approaching the front door but I had no key. I pushed; it opened 'Baruch Hashem!'(Blessed is God). I snuck inside and up the staircase. The key to being somewhere you're not supposed to be is looking confident. Some Yeshiva boys were sleeping out on the roof (a Succot tradition). I crept past them, up the ladder and hey presto, I got my shot!
Would I have missed the Lulav and Etrog bonanza at the wall??? I ran back down to the wall where the sea of black was turning green. They were just getting into full swing of things, waving the branches in different directions, shaking their lemons, and sporting constipated looks on their faces. Today I was having my cake and eating it. Baruch Hashem!
I had a busy day going to Herziliya to pick up my hard guitar case from Yael's flat, and then went to the beach in Tel Aviv. 'play us a tune' said a couple of guys near me on the beach. 'this isn't a guitar' I said. 'just a gun?' They asked. In any other country it would have been a joke.
That evening was the beginning of Simchat Torah. It is a celebration of giving of the Torah and I was placed for dinner (a service provided at Heritage House) at Hippie Joe's (a religious guy who's mum makes great food). As we walked in I noticed the prettier, Israeli girls were on a different table from where we were headed. I figured that it was all part of Gods plan and we sat down. After we had been sat talking for a while would you believe it, someone came and asked if we would swap places! Baruch Hashem ...yet again! Could all these good things be coincidence? Could it be because I was in Jerusalem? Could it be because after my time in the desert I was relaxed and in tune with nature?
One night in Neot Semadar I got into a conversation with some of the girls (who were knitting). They said that if you truly want something with all your heart then the Universe will make it happen. I have heard this idea before, also from girls. In any great achievement there is probably some element of luck. But we all share the same Universe (apparently). What if we all wish for opposing things?
On my last day at the Rainbow Gathering I trecked to the Welcome tent and sat to have a tea with an American immigrant type who was working there. I asked what were the chances of getting a lift and he said he couldn't guess. I was about to leave but decided to have a second cup of tea. 'theres your lift south' he said, pointing to an approaching couple. 'Is this because I willed it?' I asked. 'I didn't even ask out loud!'. 'You don't need to' he replied.
Photos are now up for Neot Semadar entries, and there was still a final adventure heading my way.
