Home at last, thank god almighty, home at last!
Yes, I'm home and grateful to be here.
The Tel Aviv airport security procedure went smoothly, 20 minutes when I'd been warned it could take 3 hours at least. I believe my age and perhaps my ingratiating smile had something to do with the easy passage.
At the airport I'd noticed an orthodox Jewish man and woman, both portly, he, with long beard and hair, wearing the usual garb of shiny long black coat, black pants, white shirt, with the tassels hanging loose. She wore a loose fitting large gray hat and floppy black coat. They were complaining to airline personnel about not being allowed on the flight. I overhead him say, "They kicked us off" Later, a staff member explained to him that the flight was full and there was nothing to be done.
Then, surprising me, they appeared on the plane, made their way to near where I sat, and I soon discovered he was to be my seat mate. He quickly brought out a magazine filled with illustrations of people just like him and his wife, then slept, then read from a small prayer book, then slept some more. He didn't eat and he didn't watch video or listen to audio. I was tempted to ask him what had happened, how'd you get on the plane, but I didn't. Contrary to my expectation he was very polite and considerate with me, saying as he slumped into his aisle seat for sleep, just let me know at any time if you want to get out. No problem. He was also apologetic to others who tripped over the gear they'd left in the aisle.
Perhaps my reluctance to query him lost for me an opportunity to better know perspectives of some orthodox Jews. As he slept I used the occasion to sneak a few photos of him.
I look forward—reluctantly, the other options are useless—to post production work: reviewing all my photos, selecting some for processing, deciding on presentation formats like slide shows for their circulation, rewriting the writing, doing more research, finding a way to publish, following up honorably with all the promises I made to supply photos and words, but most importantly think thru the experience and come up with a few key metaphors, a few story and image nuggets, a line of thought and emotion that others can appreciate. Tall order, but at least I have with me all the raw material, lots of time relatively speaking (I've allotted myself most of June for this invaluable and often sidestepped work), a slight cushion of savings, and perhaps an awaiting audience.
Unfortunately I just discovered that my home computer won't open, I can hear what I think is the hard drive ominously clicking. So finally I might have to relent and purchase a new computer.
Those on my Israel-Palestine email list will surely find more messages from me, mostly finishing up with my Gaza experience. I'll be looking for venues and audiences for my slide shows and print exhibits. If anyone has ideas, please let me know. After about September 1, 2006, I should be ready to travel with stories and images from this trip.
Altho I think wise the admonition to not plan subsequent trips too readily, I find myself already thinking about returning to Israel-Palestine. People there have been asking me to return and to make plans soon so I can work more effectively with them. At this early point, I might return next April for another 3-month tour of duty. I'll be looking for leads and companions.
Camus has this insight about art and existence (from The Rebel, the chapter, "Rebellion and art," changing the language slightly to be more inclusive):
...hell can endure for only a limited period, and life will begin again one day. History may perhaps have an end; but our task is not to terminate it but to create it, in the image of what we henceforth know to be true. Art, at least, teaches us that people cannot be explained by history alone and that we also find a reason for our existence in the order of nature. For us, the great god Pan is not dead. Our most instinctive act of rebellion, while it affirms the value and the dignity common to all of us, obstinately claims, so as to satisfy our hunger for unity, an integral part of the reality whose name is beauty. One can reject all history and yet accept the world of the sea and the stars.
American Friends Service Committee staff in Ramallah
passenger
Heathrow Airport, London
near Boston
soldiers in Jerusalem
Tel Aviv
British Airways
another passenger