I take back what I said about Dahab. If I was headed to the Red Sea, I would go again, particularly after getting an overview of Eilat (Israel's version of Daytona Beach) today. Dahab is much nicer and laid back. Plus, there were hardly any other guests at the Le Meridian resort, which is only about a year old. They said there were approx. 100 rooms checked-in, but I never saw more than about a dozen people at any one time. It was like I had the place to myself.
The bus trip to Tel Aviv was fine, except my seat partner ended up spilling coffee all over my feet and ankles. It reminded me why I don't typically ride buses.
Today I toured Tel Aviv. If you ever come to Israel, I'd suggest giving it a miss. Not much to see/do. I took in the Carmel Market (basically a farmer's market) which also had a small arts/crafts fair going on and then did the Diaspora museum this afternoon. The Diaspora is an overview of the history of the struggle of the Jews over the years, specifically about how they continue to persist regardless of their circumstances.
As a final Middle East experience, I also practiced Ramadan today: no food or drink until sundown. The eating part wasn't bad, but the drinking part was a little tough. Fortunately it wasn't as hot in Tel Aviv as it's a city on the water. Had my last meal at a cafe overlooking the beach and watched some mean Kadima games. Those Israelis can really play Kadima! Also was able to catch a final sunset while watching the wind surfers.
It's time to head back to the good old U.S. of A. in just a few hours. I'm ready. I could continue traveling elsewhere for sure, but I've had enough of the Middle East, at least for now. Wish me luck with the Israeli security!
As for the one question that I suppose many would ask: After having visited Israel, do you think there's any hope for long-term peace in the area? Unfortunately my answer is no. I think that obtaining peace in the Middle East is best likened to a mirage in the desert: a nice thought but not attainable in reality. The reasons are many: human nature, politics, bad history, and of course most of all- religious differences. You throw all those together and it's simply too much to be overcome by mere mortals. In this case I'd love to be proven wrong, but...
I'm glad I came to the Holy Land and got to experience the religious history that transpired here. The one thing I leave with is something that continuously struck me while visiting the various religious sites. As I mentioned to you, people seemed to get really caught up in what I would term as 'the ritual' at the sites: kissing the sites, touching them, etc. What came to my mind was similar to what Bishop Theophanes, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, said during a conversation in a book about Abraham that I read while on the trip. (His church oversees the Golgotha site where Christ was crucified in the Church of the Holy Seplucher.) He said: 'Here is the place, according to tradition, where Abraham sacrificed his son and where God sacrificed Jesus. They bring simple people here and tell them this is the exact spot. For some people that's important.' He was then asked by the author: 'But not for you?' He replied 'I don't care about archaeology. For me the allegory is more important.' That's similar to what my experience underscored for me: It's not about the sites themselves, it's about what happened at the sites that's important. It's not about getting closer to God by going to the site, it's about taking with you all those things that God teaches us, to whatever site you find yourself. I hope that others will leave with that same thought!
As this trip comes to a close, it leaves one big question- Where's the next sojourn? I'm not sure but after I finish renovating the floors in my house I will need some new rugs...
I'll speak to many of you tomorrow morning on my way to work. Until then-
Shalom
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