Uphill All the Way

Caspari Center Library where I volunteer

We knew that walking in Jerusalem would be one way to get in shape.  The city is nestled in hills and valleys and where there is a down, there is also an up.  However, one thing I did not anticipate was the uphill effort of learning and adjusting.  Things have always come easy for me and even past experiences in other cultures have been fairly effortless.  In Mexico, for example, I could get by quite easily, making up words that seemed to be understood by locals and when shopping knowing what I was buying and how much to expect to pay, even adjusing fairly well to the currency of pecos just by adding a 0 or two to the Canadian dollar.  And after all they have the same alphabet as the English language.  Here, however, the language is written in Hebrew symbols with a different alphabet altogether, the shekel currency is 3.5 times every dollar and even if you know the Hebrew alphabet you don’t know what the word means so you have no idea what you are buying – could it get any more confusing?  I feel somewhat vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Then there are the streets and alleys they call streets which are more like hallways or wider pathways with stone walls that reach beyond your view, so you really don’t know where you are going, which way is north, south, east and west and there is no real organization to the way streets flow, because the city having developed quickly over the last 100 years, expanded without much pre-planning or infrastructure that makes sense.  If you walk a block this way you may end up an undesired guest in an ultra orthodox neighbourhood where you may be shunned or spit beside (hasn’t happened yet) because your dress is inappropriate.  Another lane may lead you to a maze of small alleys and streets and no map would help you find your way.  Is it okay to take an Arab bus?  What is the custom for tipping?  Can you barter here, no? How about there, yes?  As a woman, you don’t sit in the front seat of a taxi (oops, blew that one) and never look an orthodox man in the eye, etc.  Many, many social, religious and cultural differences. I know I’m ranting a bit, but I want to give you a picture of my experience in the last two weeks as I become accustomed to this different and also diverse culture.  Having said that, my three day headache is gone, I’ve managed to catch up on some sleep and I am reminded of the story of Jacob in the Bible who was leading his people in the desert.  In Gen 33:14 “I will move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children”.  And Joshua 3:4 “I will move along slowly”... “since you have never been this way before”.  A reminder to slow down, lower my expectation of myself, and trust that I will be given new strength to continue when I get a bit weary.
Steve had his first day of orientation at the Jerusalem University College, where he was able to meet colleagues and professors and tomorrow they are hosting a walking tour of the Old City.  That, I am excited about!  Stay tuned.