The End of the Road

The "security wall" is not about security at all. The systematic appropriation of Palestinian land, separates Palestinian from Palestinian, not Palestinian from Israeli and continues to make the Palestinians invisible to the Israeli population. This section of the wall crosses the Jericho road, cutting off access to the main route to Jericho, within Palestinian territory.

Today we will be visiting areas of the West bank away from Jerusalem, and I will not be able to post until we return on Saturday.

The Wall

Yesterday we went on a tour of areas affected by 'The Wall'. After seeing the course of the wall and the continuing settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Israeli government's strategy is undeniable. They have systematically made a two state solution nearly impossible while hedging on making any commitments to real policy change. While they stall, they build and the starting point for any negotiations becomes smaller and smaller - all with the active support (political and financial) of the U.S. government. "Mr. Bush - tear down that wall!"

My first post from Jerusalem

There were no hassles to speak of with security, I have actually only seen one (well armed) soldier so far and that was at the Vienna airport. What is striking to me is the general feeling of just being in a big city - a big and old city, with narrow streets and crazy drivers. The only stop we had time for today was at the Mt. of Olives were the guide gave a general lay of the land. It was extremely windy and difficult to get a good photo. It is very sad to see the the way that the history of the place has been "circus-ized". Whether or not you feel any religious / spiritual tie to this place, there is no denying that it is a place of historical significance - and seeing neon lighting up the place that is said to be where Jesus ascended to heaven, was a bit disturbing. Like I said, regardless of any religious feelings, this is a story that has been told by two major religions for a couple thousand years. The overwhelming awe of the history is not allowed to speak for itself. It is kind of like how I would feel if a laser light show were installed in the Grand Canyon.

I made it to Washington DC

Well, I have gotten this far and it looks to be an interesting group. I am too tired right now to have much more of an impression. But I am excited to be underway. Keep holding me in light. I am guessing that it will be Monday before I will be able to post anything else, but I wanted everyone to know that I survived the flight to DC (BTW - I love Midwest Express. Northwest could really learn something from them!).

Just a quick one before I go

Since it has been a couple of days I thought I should post a quick one before I leave. It is after midnight and I am still trying to get a handle on this packing thing. The plan was that I would leave work early yesterday from work, but I actually ended up staying late. So, the way I see it nothing bad can happen to me now, because the house is still a mess and I haven't had a chance to explain the bills to Chuck. Back to packing.....

Two more days...

I feel a little silly admitting this, but I am feeling a touch of homesick and I haven't left yet. Today I was asked several times if this would be longest the that Chuck and I would be apart - and it is. I guess I am just anticipating missing him, as well as everything that is familiar and that keeps me grounded. I know that the things I will see, will be hard on me; and to be away from the people and things that give me comfort (and animals!) will be really hard. I am sure that the others that I am traveling with and I will form a bond and support each other, but it's not the same.

Frustration

I am getting a little bit frustrated with the organizers of this trip. I know I value organization; having a plan, a framework, helps me to deal with uncertainty. I understand that things, however, rarely go as planned and you have to be flexible - over time I have gotten much better about that. But, it sometimes feels like there is a real lack of timely, accurate information coming from the organizers. Just today, I received email with a third version of what clothing would be appropriate. They don't even seem to agree on the what the weather is like this time of year. I finally figured out how to get the forecast on acuweather.com. It's not like this is the first delegation they have taken - it's the 25th. I even have two conflicting emails on how I can be contacted once I am 'in-country'. This is making me crazy!

Religous Vacation?

Preparing for this trip has given me a unique opportunity to engage people in conversation that under normal circumstances probably do not think much about the Israeli / Palestinian conflict unless there is a suicide bombing. But I don't always know if I am saying the right things. I want to convey that I am not a religious tourist , but I don't want to take myself too seriously either. I understand that others view what I am doing through their own beliefs and experiences, I just hope that I can encourage them to widen their perspective a bit.

On the other hand, there are folks that tell me how courageous I am. But I don't think of myself that way - shoot, 131 through Grand Rapids is enough to give me a stress attack. We all have our fears and are strong in different ways. I am in awe of the Michigan Peace Team members that shielded a Palestinian activist with their bodies while Israeli soldiers tried to beat him. I don't know that I could ever claim that kind of courage. But whatever your gift, you should "let your life speak" and I have faith that if I am doing that, I will be taken care of.

Angels

There is less than a week until I leave. All of the 'big' stuff is taken care of, but there is still so much to do. There have been a lot of last minute donations. I have had such a hard time motivating myself to ask for contributions; and when someone told me that it's not asking for money, it's giving someone the opportunity to be involved in something they otherwise would not be involved with, I thought "yeah, that's what people say to feel better about asking for money". Then yesterday I was speaking with some folks at work and it hit me that it is true. Whether the support is financial or spiritual / emotional, in a sense through that support I am taking all of these friends with me. I have been thinking about this trip as an individual participating with 24 other individuals, and who has a lot of people back home sending me their blessings for a safe and powerful trip. But really, there are over 100 people traveling with me and I am flying on the wings of angels.

Nine More Days

Just nine more days... I feel like I have two jobs right now. The job I go to everyday that pays the bills and this other job, getting ready for the trip. There are so many little things that need to be done and I am trying to remember to ask for help. It is surprising and gratifying how willing people are to help. Today I asked a friend if she would be able to hem some pants for me - I picked up some "packable" trekking pants but they are a bit too long and I do not sew. She was very willing to do this, even though I know she is busy herself. Another friend typed up the information I needed to turn in for the media when I was feeling swamped. Everyone I have talked to that has made this trip tells me that it is "transformative". I can certainly say that just experiencing the overwhelming support before I leave has in itself been transformative.

Reality Check

Today I received a couple of messages about the Olive Harvest, which started Sunday. The first was an article from a Jerusalem newspaper that gave a pretty good account of the hardships that the Wall puts on the farmers. Not much new information. But the second message was from a member of Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR). He was asking for more volunteers to help with the harvest because the settlers were giving the farmers a harder time than expected. In one village the settlers were throwing rocks and injured a couple of the farmers. The RHR had gotten word that they would be targeted as well. I have said all along that my concerns for myself have little to do with physical safety - this is the first time that felt like a real possibility. I still wouldn't say I am very concerned about it - just "Oh yeah, that could happen."

Parents Reaction

I have to say that I am fairly impressed with my parents. I held off telling them about the trip, first because I wasn't sure it was going to happen, then because I didn't think it would do them or I any good for them to have more time to worry. But now that they know, they have reacted so much better than I had expected. I was expecting tears, yelling, anger - but instead they are actually helping to raise the money for me to go. Who'da Thunk It?

I am starting this blog to keep everyone up to date with my trip to Palestine for the olive harvest. Don't expect any deep philosophical musings - just my thoughts as the trip draws near and hopefully while I am there and after.

There is just a little more than two weeks until I leave for the West Bank. I am starting to get a little nervous - not for my safety but just the experience in general. There is still so much to do to get ready, but it will be here and gone so fast. I am really trying to appreciate the whole process.

A lot of participants still have not posted their intros yet but, based on what I've read so far, it seems that I may be the youngest one in the group. Everyone seems so serious. I know this is a serious project we're taking on, but there needs to be some room for laughter. Otherwise, how do we not drown in the darkness that is the occupation?