A Permanent Reminder…

So what do you do when you have a day in Jerusalem before your course starts? There are of course many answers, I wonder if one of them would involve tattoos?!!

It’s been another glorious day, not quite so hot, which was welcome, but around 30 degrees. At breakfast I met the first person from the course, Leah from Vancouver and we enjoyed a leisurely time chatting, including about the ancient practice of pilgrim tattoos.

So let me explain! There is famous family business in the old city of Jerusalem owned by the Razzouk family. They have been in business for a mere 700 years… yep, 700! The family originally came from Egypt, and are Coptic Christians, but moved to Palestine 400 years’ ago. The current members running the business are, I think, the 28th generation! (If you look at the photo below, it says 27, but the sign is out of date!)

There is a really ancient tradition of pilgrims who reach Jerusalem, and other places of pilgrimage, receiving a tattoo. The Razzouk’s are the only remaining pilgrim tattoo business in the old city of Jerusalem. When I read about this a while ago, I was fascinated. I have never ever wanted a tattoo, yet this really piqued my interest and I was somehow drawn to it ~ a permanent reminder of my life pilgrimage as a Christian, and of being here, in my 50th year, my 5th visit to this incredibly special and complex holy land.

So… after the leisurely breakfast, where Leah expressed her interest too; and a gentle morning of reading and chilling, I met Leah and the lovely Elaine, and we headed out on an adventure together. Elaine had arrived at 5am from Ireland, but had had a rest and was ready to explore. It’s so good to see her!

We walked down to the Old City, about 10 minutes’ walk from the College, and in through the New Gate, wandering through the amazing streets of the Christian Quarter, enjoying the architecture and ambience.

Razzouk’s is a lovely, cool haven and we met current owner, Wassim and one of his sons, Anton, who explained the process. All I wanted was a small cross on the inside of my wrist, the traditional place for pilgrim tattoos. I’d decided on a Coptic design which is also Eastern and Western… rather than a Jerusalem cross or pure Coptic one ~ there are associations with the Jerusalem cross I’m not sure about, plus I want it to be about my life pilgrimage, not just here. 

It’s tiny and took just 5 minutes, and needs a little care for the next couple of weeks ~ it’ll look better when not covered with a plaster! So that’s a gift to myself, a permanent reminder of who I am, a pilgrim following Jesus; of this amazing 700 year old Christian family business; and this holy land.

We then spent time wandering through the Old City, soaking up this unique place. We stopped for a wonderful lunch of salad and falafels, and watched the world pass by. Heading on we walked through the bazaar-like streets of the Muslim Quarter to leave by the Damascus Gate and return to the College for a siesta, reading, relaxing on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

This evening Elaine and I have been out for dinner together, and it’s been so lovely to catch up with her over yummy food and a bottle of wine!