Okay, so even a staunch communist (really a socialist) can be cynical.
Is peace achievable based on economics? In reality, is what we read and see about the Middle East a symptom of political stances, which have affected the judgment of all parties? Don't people, all people, just want to provide for their families, enjoy their friends, and live in peace? I know, I know - you THINK that people are brainwashed, or are born a certain way, or are 'different' from us. BUT, this summer has provided me with a personally unique perspective on war, genocide, differences, and the only conclusion that I've drawn is that I'm totally confused and perplexed by human behavior. Has anyone read the recent article in National Geographic which indicates that humans can learn a tremendous amount from ants? Yup, the ants seem to have it all figured out - not necessarily motivated by the big picture - rather, activated by sensations which are given off 'mano a mano' ... personal interactions from one creature to the other which ultimately serve the greater good of a productive society.
So, is our subjugation of the Chinese labor force a symptom of our desire to purchase 5 dollar t-shirts at Target (my love!), with little or no regard to THEIR safety or labor conditions (unless of course there's lead in them there Mattel toys!). And on a greater scale, can't there be peace here in the the Middle East if we make the connections, one by one, person to person? All I hear is that it's totally naive, yet when I walk the ancient streets of Jerusalem, I want to, no, have to believe that it's all possible, even miraculous! I invite you to join me in my optimism, misguided as it may be - maybe we can effect change and make a difference ...
Today - sunny, hot, bright - no, brilliant! Breakfast on the terrace of the David Citadel (sadly, I have come to the chilling realization that I really DO love having my butt kissed while on vacation - how depressing, more so than my need for reading glasses from CVS!). Sinels appear, just in time for cappuccinos, kids all excited - maps out, what are we going to do? The Swedler clan heads for the Mahane Yehuda market - halvah, dried fruits, white cheeses, kippot - amazing, clean, wonderful, and exciting for the onset of Shabbat. Luckily, Gideon, our new friend, has pointed us in the direction of Marzipan on Agrippas Street for deadly rugelach - oh, the pain of it all! Too much food, so little time! Glad I've been eating Kashi bars for the last few weeks!
Through the stalls, then onto the quaint neighborhood of Nachalaot, past the bougainvillea, houses, spray painted images of James Dean, winding streets, artists, and back to the car. The searing heat called for a dip in the pool overlooking the old city back at the hotel - I even listened to Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake on Andi's i-pod ... speedo and huge magen david completing my outfit (much to Marlee's horror!!). Swimming, ping pong, Slushees, it's all good. Even a few religious women sporting the Judaic version of burqinis (have you seen these - spandex 'dresses' with sporty stripes suitable for modest women from plying the beaches from Afghanistan - no beaches - to Cyprus). Supreme relaxation, overlooking the city, then Jane and I head up to the Executive Lounge (can you imagine us as executives!? no room for a briefcase in those speedos!), a quick iced coffee, then down to get the kids (kicking and screaming). Off to the Old City...
Jaffa Gate (huge bagels with seeds), the Armenian Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (amazing, including the Ethiopian Monastery on the roof!), through the souks, and finally the Jewish Quarter. They've built a reconstructed version of the Hurva Synagogue over the ever present freestanding arch, how sad! Onto the Western Wall/Kotel, the kids leading the way by rote from our trip two years ago - incredible! We tied red strings to our hands (evil eye), then off to the Wall - amazing, with the Dome of the Rock in the background (which I want to visit Sunday morning, once again to Jane's chagrin!). Pre-Sabbath walk about, a quick call from Ruggero, then back to the hotel in a taxi (with Jane absurdly negotiating to save 2 dollars - you can take the girl out of Baghdad, but can't take Baghdad out of the girl!). Back 'home' for a quick change, a glass or three of wine in the Executive Lounge (again!), an episode of Friends (what else is new?), then down for Shabbat dinner with the Sinels and their cousins. We were 17 people for an amazing, incredible, filling evening (spiritually, nourishment, etc.)., the kids sitting for three hours, lots of French, English, Americans, etc.. What a night, talking about movies with Randi's cousins (lovely!), just great ...
Tomorrow brings an early morning walk, a drive to Masada, birthday wishes for Sarah, and a celebratory dinner at Arcadia before our customary post-Shabbat walk on Ben Yehuda Street (funky boutiques, loud music, young people drinking iced coffee, etc.).
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and great weekend from Jerusalem,
Harley
Is peace achievable based on economics? In reality, is what we read and see about the Middle East a symptom of political stances, which have affected the judgment of all parties? Don't people, all people, just want to provide for their families, enjoy their friends, and live in peace? I know, I know - you THINK that people are brainwashed, or are born a certain way, or are 'different' from us. BUT, this summer has provided me with a personally unique perspective on war, genocide, differences, and the only conclusion that I've drawn is that I'm totally confused and perplexed by human behavior. Has anyone read the recent article in National Geographic which indicates that humans can learn a tremendous amount from ants? Yup, the ants seem to have it all figured out - not necessarily motivated by the big picture - rather, activated by sensations which are given off 'mano a mano' ... personal interactions from one creature to the other which ultimately serve the greater good of a productive society.
So, is our subjugation of the Chinese labor force a symptom of our desire to purchase 5 dollar t-shirts at Target (my love!), with little or no regard to THEIR safety or labor conditions (unless of course there's lead in them there Mattel toys!). And on a greater scale, can't there be peace here in the the Middle East if we make the connections, one by one, person to person? All I hear is that it's totally naive, yet when I walk the ancient streets of Jerusalem, I want to, no, have to believe that it's all possible, even miraculous! I invite you to join me in my optimism, misguided as it may be - maybe we can effect change and make a difference ...
Today - sunny, hot, bright - no, brilliant! Breakfast on the terrace of the David Citadel (sadly, I have come to the chilling realization that I really DO love having my butt kissed while on vacation - how depressing, more so than my need for reading glasses from CVS!). Sinels appear, just in time for cappuccinos, kids all excited - maps out, what are we going to do? The Swedler clan heads for the Mahane Yehuda market - halvah, dried fruits, white cheeses, kippot - amazing, clean, wonderful, and exciting for the onset of Shabbat. Luckily, Gideon, our new friend, has pointed us in the direction of Marzipan on Agrippas Street for deadly rugelach - oh, the pain of it all! Too much food, so little time! Glad I've been eating Kashi bars for the last few weeks!
Through the stalls, then onto the quaint neighborhood of Nachalaot, past the bougainvillea, houses, spray painted images of James Dean, winding streets, artists, and back to the car. The searing heat called for a dip in the pool overlooking the old city back at the hotel - I even listened to Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake on Andi's i-pod ... speedo and huge magen david completing my outfit (much to Marlee's horror!!). Swimming, ping pong, Slushees, it's all good. Even a few religious women sporting the Judaic version of burqinis (have you seen these - spandex 'dresses' with sporty stripes suitable for modest women from plying the beaches from Afghanistan - no beaches - to Cyprus). Supreme relaxation, overlooking the city, then Jane and I head up to the Executive Lounge (can you imagine us as executives!? no room for a briefcase in those speedos!), a quick iced coffee, then down to get the kids (kicking and screaming). Off to the Old City...
Jaffa Gate (huge bagels with seeds), the Armenian Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (amazing, including the Ethiopian Monastery on the roof!), through the souks, and finally the Jewish Quarter. They've built a reconstructed version of the Hurva Synagogue over the ever present freestanding arch, how sad! Onto the Western Wall/Kotel, the kids leading the way by rote from our trip two years ago - incredible! We tied red strings to our hands (evil eye), then off to the Wall - amazing, with the Dome of the Rock in the background (which I want to visit Sunday morning, once again to Jane's chagrin!). Pre-Sabbath walk about, a quick call from Ruggero, then back to the hotel in a taxi (with Jane absurdly negotiating to save 2 dollars - you can take the girl out of Baghdad, but can't take Baghdad out of the girl!). Back 'home' for a quick change, a glass or three of wine in the Executive Lounge (again!), an episode of Friends (what else is new?), then down for Shabbat dinner with the Sinels and their cousins. We were 17 people for an amazing, incredible, filling evening (spiritually, nourishment, etc.)., the kids sitting for three hours, lots of French, English, Americans, etc.. What a night, talking about movies with Randi's cousins (lovely!), just great ...
Tomorrow brings an early morning walk, a drive to Masada, birthday wishes for Sarah, and a celebratory dinner at Arcadia before our customary post-Shabbat walk on Ben Yehuda Street (funky boutiques, loud music, young people drinking iced coffee, etc.).
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and great weekend from Jerusalem,
Harley
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