A very long Friday indeed…

It’s 8pm, a balmy 33 degrees as I type from the roof terrace of St George’s College in Jerusalem! Very pleased to report that I am here and travel all went well. Here’s the cathedral tower from the terrace…

14+ hours flight to Dubai, about 3 hours there, and then just 3 ish hours on to Tel Aviv, where the temperature was 41 when we landed at 10am ~ somewhat of a contrast to being quite chilly in Umina Beach! So the travel plus the gaining of 7 hours, it’s felt like a very long Friday indeed, and, as I said, it’s only 8pm now!

It was interesting to fly in from the east, across Saudi Arabia, Jordan and then the West Bank, before reaching Israel and the Mediterranean. Here’s a view as we started our descent, over the West Bank ~ without spelling it out, I know some of you will understand the detail of the landscape and buildings…

I managed to negotiate getting from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and being dropped off on the right street… the college porter was expecting me and showed me to my room.

The course “Women of the Bible”, doesn’t actually start til Sunday early evening, but I wanted to get here early to get over jet-lag and acclimatise. There are a couple of other folks around, but really I’m on my own til tomorrow when others, including Elaine, arrive.

It was great to unpack, shower and rest… later on I headed out to find a meal, aware that it’s Friday and the college in a Jewish part of the city, so nothing much was open, so ended up in a lovely courtyard garden in a local hotel, enjoying freshly made lemonade. As I sit here in the wam breeze, the call to prayer has just begun ~ a sound I really like, kind of haunting and reminding me of the richness and complexities of this place.

It is a privilege to be here once again, my 4th visit, staying in a different place and with this specific summer school and focus ~ I only hope I can cope with the heat and itinerary, it’s so energy zapping! So early to bed me thinks.






Comments

  1. jonbruJune 2, 2023 at 10:22 AM

    Go well Julia. I am interested to hear what you glean from the Women of the Bible sessions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JuliaJune 2, 2023 at 7:48 PM

      Thanks Jon… watch this space!! That and chatting when I get home! 😊

      Delete
  2. JoJune 2, 2023 at 10:41 AM

    A very long day, hope you sleep well and have a rest and acclimatise to the weather a bit tomorrow before your course starts and Elaine and the others arrive.I would be a right misery mush in that heat😀xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JuliaJune 2, 2023 at 7:49 PM

      Not sure how I’m going to cope Jo! We’ll see … slept well but awake v early coz of the jet lag! xxx

      Delete
  3. HelenaJune 2, 2023 at 11:55 AM

    Hope you are blessed with refreshing sleep and renewed energy for the start of your course. I'm reminded of the evening in Perton with Clare and Micah, hoping you find the course at St. George's engaging and enlightening. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JuliaJune 2, 2023 at 7:50 PM

      There does seem to be a theme! As long as I can cope with the heat it’ll be fab! xxx

      Delete
  4. PennyJune 2, 2023 at 12:03 PM

    Hope you are ready now to be enlightened and enthused and your colleagues have arrived. A unique opportunity in a unique place. Another step along the way…. …. …. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JuliaJune 2, 2023 at 7:51 PM

      Indeed… I am very fortunate and blessed to be able to do this xx

      Delete
  5. MargaretJune 2, 2023 at 12:42 PM

    Rest and enjoy your weekend Julia. Lovely photos. Sending you a hug. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JuliaJune 2, 2023 at 7:51 PM

      Thank you… and for the hug! xx

      Delete
  6. Sue RidJune 2, 2023 at 12:53 PM

    Glad you have arrived and settled in. Looking forward to hearing about the course. It will be good for you to share the time with Elaine. Xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JuliaJune 2, 2023 at 7:52 PM

      Thanks Sue, it’ll be great to see her and chilling (in the heat!) today xx

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJune 2, 2023 at 3:11 PM

    Enjoy & report back!

    ReplyDelete
  8. RuthDtJune 3, 2023 at 12:29 AM

    glad your travels were smooth - exhaustion to be expected, I hope you acclimatise quickly to new time zone and environment. Keep us posted about the course it sounds fascinating. sending love and hugs for these new adventures

    ReplyDelete
  9. SusieJune 3, 2023 at 1:20 AM

    Glad you are safely at your next destination x it sounded like a very long day but keep resting and enjoy this next experience xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. VivJune 5, 2023 at 2:34 PM

    Enjoy some time to recharge and relax. 41° that's hot! Looks lovely. God bless. Have a good night's sleep x

    ReplyDelete

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