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| My last sunrise at the orchard. |
It really is. I cannot believe the day is here that I leave Ezuz, but here it is. Of course, this means that I'm one day closer to Val. It occurred to me the other day that we have not been on the same continent since June 6 and will not be again until August 11. I get back to the states on August 6, but Val will be in Paris.
This morning I could barely focus, so I worked only two hours. Then I went around the orchard one last time. And I went around outside of the orchard where I did so much work.
I know it was so long ago, but here are my efforts for Mark Dam. I hope they finish it and it helps them to capture all of the water they need!
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| The last part of Mark Dam that I did. |
And who could forget Runge Lane? As you can see it is still being used by man and beast alike. The image on the right shows Runge lane as you look at Mark Dam. That was some hard-assed work clearing the road. |
| The berm-walk to Mark Dam. |
And sweet Ezuz. The image on the left is my last walk away from the orchard; you can just see the nets and trees over the hill. And the image on the right shows the water tower in Ezuz. I'll not walk up this hill again.
The orchard is just over a mile from the village. I've had so many happy and sad thoughts between the two. I've contemplated so much during the walks to and fro. Sometimes I'm angered or saddened by my thoughts and my actions in the world. But I'm also very happy about my life and what I'm doing in it. I cannot image how much of an impact this trip--to Israel and up and down the road--will have on my life. It will take some months, if not longer, to contextualize all of this.
And lets not forget those mountains. I still cannot believe that I was dumb enough to walk nearly 27 miles alone in the desert mountains. What an idiot. But dame what a test of my mettle. The things I thought because of what I saw will be with me for a long time to come. The camel trails that lead to somewhere, the gas mask I found, the munitions, the scat. All of it has a place in my heart and mind. Maybe we just need to help others hike to make the world better, as if the peasant farmer in L.A. (lower Alabama) actually has the time or energy to do so. I am wealthy in that I have so much leisure time to walk about the globe. I have a great life, and anybody who hears me complain should slap me hard.
This is the view that I have as I walk into Ezuz. Our cabin is the one behind the cars. The kids put the sign there because they said that everywhere you dig in Israel is an archeological site. But the posting of the sign makes it clear to all how the truly feel about the idea of preserving history. I guess farmers have to dig, so ancient cultures be damned. Who am I to judge this?
I bought these boots brand new for $120 or so. Great hiking boots, they say. Tough boots for many miles they say. Well these Merrell boots got their asses kicked. Okay, I was not kind to them in that I walked a lot of hard miles--27 by myself through the mountains--and they did last the two months on sharp rocks. But I'd have taken them home if they held up better. So you get mixed reviews from me, Merrell.
This is sweet Ezuz and the surrounding area. As you can see, there is a bunch of nothing. Except that I've learned that there is really so much out in the seeming nothing. My world has expanded, and I plan to take this into the next phase of life, which is really the same phase but with more sand in my teeth.I've packed my bags and am ready to go at 0545 tomorrow. I take an hour and a half bus ride to Beer Sheba and a train to Jerusalem. I have some nice plans (see below), but I will be very fluid in their execution--except the meeting on Sunday.
List of references:
http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/article_1462/49-free-or-cheap-things-to-do-in-Jerusalem Great site for free stuff to do.
Site for stuff in Jerusalem:
http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/ Lots of lists of high class stuff.
Thursday:
Go shopping at a supermarket. Eat lunch first. Get settled in room.
Museum of Underground Prisoners
15 Shekels
Sunday - Thursday 09:00 to 17:00
The Ticho House of modern art and stuff:
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 to 17:00;
Tuesday 10:00 to 22:00;
Friday 10:00 to 14:00
Eat dinner.
Friday:
Wander through the alleys of Nachlaot, one of the oldest neighborhoods in western Jerusalem.
Free!--Maybe to fill time on any day.
Ben Yahuda Street: http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/item_64/Ben-Yehuda-Street
Pass the time on someday or night.
Saturday:
Israel Museum, art, archeology, stuff: http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/
50 Shekels--go on Saturday 10-5
Sunday:
Meeting at Keshet headquarters.
Fly by seat of pants.
Monday:
Old city!
Walk on the ramparts of the Old City: http://www.gojerusalem.com/discover/item_139/Ramparts-Walk
16 Shekels
Tuesday:
Leave for airport at 8am!
Maybes:
Rockefeller Museum
Free!--
Sun, Mon, Thurs 10 am – 5 pm
Tues, Wed 10 am – 9 pm
Fri and holiday eves 10 am – 2 pm
Sat and holidays 10 am – 5 pm
Botanical Gardens: http://www.botanic.co.il/
Mark, here's what I tell my young friends, like you, who go interesting places and do interesting things, and then blog about it all: you've basically got a book here, so put all these pieces together and find a publisher, and I'm volunteering to edit it for you (and I'm a better editor than writer). Nobody has yet taken that suggestion, because of course it's hard to put the pieces together, but that's what a good editor can do for you. So just give it a little thought. And safe travels. Thank you for adding this to my summer reading; it's been great.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll take you up on that. I'll be your first! But it ain't over yet, sweetheart. I have five days in Jerusalem and five in Madison, WI.
ReplyDeleteBut thank you so much for sharing my adventures thus far. It means much to me.
Really big smiles and lots of hugs to you!