Israel: what to expect

41 minutes to Tel Aviv.

It seems a usual occurrence to not contemplate what I’m about to undertake until the journey there. Before that it’s just something else.

Most of the time preparing for going away consisting of practicalities. What I need. How I’m going to get places. Who is needed to help me get there. Who do I need to speak to. What do I need to say and to whom. 

But I find myself thinking what am I to expect of stepping into a country that has so much history and is so entwined with my own story and that of my family’s.

Is the best preparation, actively shutting down expectations, questioning assumptions and being open to what and where you find yourself. 

“Being open”, there’s a phrase often banded around. Perhaps just “being” is better. More to come.

Israel: I am a pilgrim

Heathrow airport. It’s getting late.

Long story but due to being car-less and a host of other things I’ve decided to come to Heathrow tonight ahead of the trip tomorrow. 

It’s billed as pilgrimage.

And it starts in an empty airport terminal with a few stragglers. Like me they’re waiting. 

The space is distinctively empty but pregnant with anticipation. 

These are the liminal moments.

I have a man crashed out in the adjacent set of chairs watching a video on his phone. He chooses not to use his headphones. I hear everything. Including his text updates that interrupt the show comedy show with its canned laughter. As for me I’m watching the last Match of the Day of the this season. 

Only 6 hours before the meet up and I’m thinking how many of those will actually have sleep in.

The journey starts here.