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March 27, 2007

A new landscape greeted us

We drove through the green rolling hills, past olive trees, past vineyards, past farms, and through the valley. We turned into the entrance of Ella Valley Vineyards and walked into a small building. Seated at a rustic, wood bar, we tasted the fine wines of this small vineyard. We did not get a tour because the workers were busy preparing for Passover. Only forty minutes west of Jerusalem, we found ourselves in a very different world.

One hour later, traveling east of the city, a new landscape greeted us. The green, blooming hills, gave way to traffic and noise, which gave way to rocky, desert hills. Bedouins shepherded sheep and goats. A couple of camels wandered about. There were a few people riding donkeys along the highway.

Our friends Odile and Peter were visiting from Providence and Elie and I wanted to give them a feel for the Jerusalem area in a very short period of time. This was their first trip to Israel; we had a lot to cover.

Of course, you can’t possibly see everything in a day or two. And, of course, it isn’t just about what you see, but how you see it and how it affects you. Aside from our having fun together, their questions and observations about history and landscape and lifestyle forced me to see Jerusalem anew. I was amazed that even after only seven months, I have started taking some things for granted.

Less than two months remain to my stay here. In my first two months, I had to find my way around, learn bus routes and walking routes to the downtown area, to the library, to the grocery store. In the remaining time, I have the opportunity to pay closer attention to my well-worn paths through the city. The time for discovery must continue until the day I leave.

Greenery in the Jerusalem HIlls.

A very cheerful tractor driver at Tzora Vinyard (where we also visited). The dog's name is Perach.

The desert hills just east of Jerualem.

Posted by Ilene Weismehl  at 5:22 PM | Permalink

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Posted by: Shoshannah at March 27, 2007 11:25 PM

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