Missing Pocketbook Guide

On our field studies throughout the land of Israel, we have seen some wildlife, especially birds, rodents & lizards, many trees, shrubs, flowers & weeds and to help identify some of these species one of the students brought along a set of “Pocketbook Guides”.  We were able to identify the flock of White Storks that were flying overhead in the Golan Heights region where they migrate to in winter.We identified the Rock Hyrax aka Coney aka gopher aka rock rabbits which are mentioned 3x in the Bible (Ps. 104, Prov. 30, Lev. 11 in case you are curious). 

We identified eucalyptus trees, pear cactus aka prickly pear, magnolia trees, pistachio trees, cypress trees, Aleppo pines and others. The bougainvillea bushes in Israel spray a rainbow of colour throughout the land this time of year – breathtaking! Although we found some familiar species of birds, like pigeons and sparrow, and trees & plants familiar to home, there are many unfamiliar species for which the “Pocketbook Guide has been very helpful. 

We noticed however, that there is one helpful guide missing in this set. That would be the “Pocketbook Guide of People in Israel". This land is diversely populated with people from all walks of life and corners of the world. Many are distinguishable by their appearance which sets them apart from all others. My Pocketbook Guide would include the distinct divisions that exist here among the people, many distinguishable by clothing and in some cases mannerisms: the Jew (i.e. Ultra Orthodox, traditional ,liberal, Haredin, Zionists and secular and the many ethnic divisions as well: Russian, Yemeni, Iranian, Ethiopian, Iraqi, Moroccan, Mizrahi, Sephardim), the Muslim (everything from extreme religious to secular); the Palestinian (on this and that side of the Wall); the Druze; the Bedouin; the Christian Community which includes the Arab Christian, Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Franciscan, Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Syrian Christians and then the various Protestant Christians and Messianic Jews;

 

 the oblivious tourist who does not understand what modest dress means (ie. trying to enter the Western Wall wearing strapless mini-length sun dress….duh!); the European tourist (who thinks no one else understands what they are saying on the bus), the missionary, the activist, the volunteer, the American tourist (I’ll refrain from commenting further); the Canadian (way to friendly and polite for Israel, there is no waiting your turn, you won’t get one); the schoolgirls in uniform, the scholar; the security guard, the soldier in training; the “I’m your best friend so you will buy from me” vendor; the kibbutz kin (farm worker); the motorcycle driver who thinks he owns the road, sidewalks, pedestrian crossing and your front yard; the taxi driver who uses his horn obsessively to emit Morris code messages to other drivers on the road (I have asked and yes they have distinct honks for different messages); the public nose-picker (a common activity here); the cranky clerk at the local supermarket (apparently customer service with a smile is not necessary, because you will probably get yelled at anyway); the friendly & knowledgeable tour guides who will take you anywhere you wish to go…for a price; the hiker and biker; the student; the archaeologist and his team; the falafel maker and pita baker….the market vendors (who blow your eardrums as they yell out “HALVA HERE GOOD DEAL!!!”; and the street beggar and street Elvis impersonator wannabe (who would have the real Elvis rolling in his grave!) …..these are a few of the unusual, quirky people & things I am slowly growing accustomed to in this odd land.  Did I mention that we are talking most of this diversity exists in only 126 sq. km (49 sq mi) in the City of Jerusalem! 

The romantic thoughts of Israel are long past…to really experience this place one needs to live here for a time and interact in the day to day with this mix of people.  Of course, we are seeing the sights, visiting the ruins, and seeing history come to life, but it is in the daily interaction with the people here that I am forced to reflect on my own identity and story and then wonder how this experience will change me.  As far as the Pocketbook Guide goes…..mine would likely be volume size…probably too big to carry in my backpack.

Our school field trips to date have taken us all over Israel all within a 2 hour radius of Jerusalem.  It is such a tiny country and yet so rich with history, culture, religion, politics and landscapes.  We’ve been to the regions referred to as West Bank, Samaria, Benjamin, Jericho, Negev, Golan Heights, Galilee, Dead Sea, and Mediterranean Coast. In a few weeks we go to Jordan.  We’ve looked out into Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and Jordan…that is how small this tiny giant-of-a-country is:  the center of it all.  The place the light began to shine into the world….still trying to take it all in.