Love in the Holy Land
Ever since I was a young child, I always imagined traveling to the place where Jesus walked. I was always enamored of the stories from the bible, knowing that the places where they take place actually existed and that one day I would figure out a way and a reason to travel there on my own. Maybe this childhood dream led me to the man of my dreams, a young Jewish man from the beach city Haifa in the small country of Israel.
A long distance relationship, challenging yes indeed, but when you know you know, then you know you know, and time and space simply become elements of character strength building and an opportunity to allow our hearts to visit each other in other realms than the 3D reality we all think is the only reality. So amongst the dreaming, the writing, the skype calls, the love has grown, the character has grown, the passion has grown. On December 31st, 2011, I landed in the Holy Land, the place I always knew I would come to visit, but a place I never knew I would come to rise higher and higher in love and understanding of the magnificent human capability of perception.
So, here are some photo’s of my trip visiting Eldar’s beloved country, and some reflections I had along the way…
@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
I felt like the little girl of my 8 year old dreams. The girl who wanted to magically reunite with her Prince Charming in the most romantic scenery she could imagine. The girl who read stories about love always knew this type of love would be hers too, one day. Well, it found me. This is new years eve kiss with the setting sun of 2011, on the hillside of Haifa.
@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
Around two valley’s from Eldar’s home in Haifa, there lies a gorgeous cave coming out of the side of the mountain. Eldar often comes here, as his place of respect, connection, and rejuvination.
@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
There happened to be some baby Koi fish dancing around in the spring pool. I was testing out my new GoPro 2 with the fishies. I am amazed at the different forms of life that we have here on our planet. “What is life?” is a question I’d love to hear a fish respond to… This is the freshest, most living spring water I have ever put in my body. Straight from mother earth, a mature spring gives water that has magical properties, for it is carries a healing molecular structure that acts as rejuvenator to the water cells inside of our body. The purer the water, the purer the body, and therefore mind, and therefore soul.
@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
The shape of this man is an outward representation of his spirit. One who stands up for what he feels is right, one who prays with free faith, and one that connects himself to momma nature in a way I’ve never seen in a young man before. This photo was taken just after he performed a water cleansing ceremony his ancestors have been practicing for a great number of years, where he held is breath, and dunked his whole upper body, with great force yet incredible grace, seven times, each time praying for a different cleansing. It was not a warm day, and you can imagine the spring water wasn’t warm either. Yet, he emanated warmth with every cell of his body.
@font-face { font-family: “Cambria”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: “Times New Roman”; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
A thousand kisses a day is not enough for us. There seems an enlightened connection when we touch our lips. I close my eyes, and my perceptions take my soul to the sky, and my feet tenderly feel the ground below me. I feel like I am on a spaceship of love, with the overwhelming passion of being in the present.
This is Eldar in front of the Old City in Jerusalem. This was the first time he had been there in four years, and my virgin experience in the land where history has been centered for thousands and thousands of years. The vibration of this place is alive, because everyone seemed to walk around with a respect and a knowing that this land is special, to say the least. I caught Mr. Gorgeous in a fine moment, kissing his fingers as he often does when he offers his bless and prayer.
Deep in the tunnel of the old market, lovely and I did our best to stay on our feet despite the slippery stone beneath our feet. Imagining what was sold here 2,000 years ago, I realized that much of the merchandise is probably quite similar: tapestry, fruits and vegetables, and ‘Jesus sandles’. Ive never seen a cane look so sexy :)
This is the Western Wall in Jerusalem. This is where millions of devoted Jewish, Muslims, and Christians have come to pray and express their gratitude and devotion to God. Watching Eldar place his arm on the wall, bow his head, and elegantly whisper his prayer in Hebrew, my heart and soul were taken to a new level of love and awe of this man, for I have always dreamed of being with a man that knew God, and who recognized the presence of God in his life. Yet the word God can be replaced by many different words to represent All That Is. All I know, is that seeing his humble devotion, exponentially took my love and understanding of this man to a new place, one of broader perspective, deeper meaning, and greater passion.
As I form of respect, I draped my scarf around my head during my day in Jerusalem. Behind me hear was quite the scene. The Western Wall, busy with its devoted pilgrims, and two young women, a few years younger than I, serving their required time to the Israeli Army, machine guns and all. For the most part, the civilians I met in Israel seemed like all my friends from America, bright, and full of life. The only difference, everyone, and I mean everyone, knew how to shoot. Perspective blast again.
So, apparently, there are beautiful waves in Israel too! This day was spectacular, a day the Mediterranean Sea proved to be a surf generator. The sun was brilliantly shining, the wind consistently blowing off shore, and about 10 locals who excitedly shared their break with me.
This wave eventually barreled, becoming the best view of Israel I could have ever imagined. I borrowed a number of different boards, this a 6’3” twin fin that allowed me to stick right in the pocket of this perfect A-frame of a wave. I only allowed myself to harp on my inner conscious a few times for not bringing my own boards, especially my log. It’s the last time I’ll be skimpy on my traveling funds, as I was yearning for my Alaia and single fin. Yet, forever grateful for the foam I got to ride, as it proved to be delightful.
Yummy yummy :) Bright blue water, a little colder than what a 3 2 wetsuit is made for, but it allowed me to snag a few in front of the local water photog, who was stoked to see the girl Eldar had been telling everyone about for a year…
This is an ancient stone wall in the old city of Akko, in Northern Israel. The old port city was magnificent, and putting my hands on this wall ignited me with awe and respect for the hands once placed these stones.
If there are ever 3 fruits in one place, Eldar can be found juggling them. As a circus performer, and a lover of light energy, his expertise of throwing lemons amazed the kids around the fruit stand. Israel prides themselves on their freshest fruit and vegitables. You can get a fresh juice, yes with no sugar or chemicals added!, anywhere in the country. America needs to take notes food and ag wise from this land, as chemicals and gmo’s aren’t part of the Kosher style, duh. It made me realize how tradition, and respect for it, can influence different areas of life. Healthy, real food is definitely a main part of it.
On this stormy day in Akko, the fish market was not open, but still made for a spectacular scene. Fish in the Mediterranean Sea are plentiful, another sign that God cares and provides…
Just as in many European and old cities, the clock tower stood high and above the rest of the ancient city. This was right before the rain started to fall on the cold wet day.
At the outskirts of the ancient town, I stood delighted and warm in my sweater and hat. I realized my long hair was quite the warming tool as well :)
Fishing is a popular past time, and a benefit of living by the sea for these people. Fishing before the storm, the ocean was so dramatic and full of changing life. This stone structure behind the men caught my gaze for quite some time, wondering how long it had been there, and its purpose when it was built. Awe overwhelms me.
While I was there, Eldar had ankle surgery. A warrior and a laugher, he named the cut Mr. Max. I was so impressed by his ability to handle the immense pain of surgery with a light heart. I did my best to distract him from his foot :) Always wearing a smile, maybe that’s why we found each other….
This is the a small portion of the city of Haifa. Other than everything written in Hebrew and Arabic, I felt as though I could be in America… The similar layouts of the land surprised me, yet also comforted me.
After all, I realized that the fear many of us have of this land of Israel is misconstrued and irrelevant. These people live passionate lives, filled with devotion and tradition. If anything, I realized my homeland can take some notes on culture, the importance of REAL food, and not to believe everything that our news tells us. When we live in fear, fear is what we create. When we live in love and respect, this is what we create. So, love, respect, honor, understanding, passion, are all things I gained even more so from my time in Israel. And it wont be my last time in Israel. For we tend to be magnets to the beauty we feel connected to. Happy New Year…
-
travelpeace liked this
-
leahdawson posted this
