A lot of you might have already gotten sick of me talking about how awesome Israel is since I came back. Yes, let me say it one more time - Israel is fantastic. Most importantly, I want to emphasize on how this trip has changed me.
I finally left my corporate job. I had a choice in between going to South America or the Middle East, I chose the latter because it is the part of the world that the media talks so negatively about which I don't believe and wanted to validate.
This post is not about how magnificent Petra and Jerusalem are, they are undoubtedly amazing, but this is more about my experience there and the spiritual journey I experienced (sorta).
If you have to ask what I like about Israel the most, it's definitely the people there. I am a world traveler, and I had never felt so welcome in a foreign place after visiting 15+ countries over the past 10 years. Wherever I went, I met incredible individuals who helped me when I was lost, when I didn't have enough shekels to pay for my meal, or when I was alone and just needed someone to talk to. Surely people are curious about me and why am I in Israel. I guess it's uncommon for an Asian girl who speaks American to travel solo in Israel. People usually have some kinda ties (either you are Jewish American/European, have families there, or for business) with the country to go there.
For the most part, Israelis are well educated and know what's going on in the world. I had many intelligent conversations with strangers along the way. I could almost carry a conversation with anyone there about culture, politics, and religions, and this is something Americans are really lack of. To me, Israel has just the right amount of America, the right amount of Europe, and the right amount of the Middle East. And that's what makes Israel so special.
I met three women in West Bank while I was visiting the Palestinian area. They came to me and told me I am beautiful. I believe what they really meant was that they envied the fact that I do not have to wrap around my body from head to toe and have the freedom to dress as I please. In the eyes of some of the Palestinians, I was naked because I worn a simple t-shirt that didn't cover my neck and arms. I appreciate that they tried to make a big effort to come talk to me (their English is limited) and get to know me.
I met a woman and her three beautiful children and husband on a train. The conversation with her totally changed my views on family and children. I was determined to not have any one of them, but she made me change my mind.
In the ghetto hotel I stayed at in Jerusalem near the Arab quarter, the hymn from the Dome of the Rock every morning woke me up with delight. When I was walking around the Old City, I sat down at one of the churches Jesus went through before his crucifixion and meditated, and I felt a strange sensation that was completely new to me. From age 3 thru 17, I was raised Christian but agnostic for the most part. Since the trip, I have been revisiting the matter of religion for further explanation on this particular experience I had.
Eilat was a very nice surprise, details on exactly what happened there aren't necessary, but they were definitely memorable.
I mended the relationship with an ex while I was there (he is Israeli and spends a lot of time at home these days). By relationship I mean friendship. I am grateful that he was there to guide me through things, to introduce me to his friends, family and colleagues, and as an emergency contact.
And to many many others I met in these places, I wholeheartedly appreciate your warmth and generosity to me during my trip. You have changed my many views in life. In addition, I ran into (virtually) my classmate Abby from Northwestern years ago and we met up in Tel Aviv to hang out. Abby perfected the ending of my trip.
Since I came back, I have decided that there are a few routines/habits in my life that I need to change, for the better, I hope -
- I don't need to be online all the time. I really enjoyed the untethered period there. Some might have noticed I am not even on instant messengers that often these days. I really really want to spend more time with the people I care about, in person.
- I realized I don't always need to be the center of attention. I have been a social chair since I was 7. I don't need 9 million men's attention but one, although I am not quite sure who that person is, at least not yet.
- Party less, most of tech parties in the valley are quite vain anyway.
- Take my personal relationship seriously, which means no more casual dating and wasting time on people who aren't worth my time.
- Pick up another hobby that doesn't require me to sit in front of the computer.
The trip put me into a zone I had never experienced before, and I miss it badly since. So, I wanted to document it before I forget like I did for many of my past trips.
Just in case you haven't seen the photos I took, here you go - https://picasaweb.google.com/elsachang
