Day 4: Journey from the Jilaboon to Jerusalem
Each day we spend in Israel offers more insight into the numerous complexities -- land, culture, and religion -- that make this country unique. Today we woke up at the bright and early hour of 6am on a kibbutz in the northwestern portion of the state , traveled northeast to the Golan Heights where we hiked in the hills and took a swim under one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, trekked north to Mount Bental to view the notorious and disputed Israeli-Syrian border, traveled south out of the dry land through green rolling hills, and finally entered the world‘s holiest city, Jerusalem, where we experienced the 21st century Jerusalem lifestyle through a street festival and night on the town. All in one day.
Our time on the kibbutz was defined by group-building activities and discussions with our Israeli peers, but the trip has taken on additional importance as we begin to travel and witness the diverse beauty Israel has to offer. The hike at the Jilaboon in the Golan Heights was challenging, but the reward --spending half an hour swimming under the Jilaboon waterfall -- was phenomenal. The beauty and peace of this place, in the middle of dry, arid land, represented the juxtaposition that is central to the Israeli culture -- dry versus wet, belief versus non-belief, old versus new.
That dichotomy was on display again as we sat atop Mount Bental and looked on into Syria. It is amazing to think that a line drawn in the sand can have such a profound effect not just on the lives of the people on either side, but throughout the world. While the Golan is largely uninhibited due to the border situation, the land right up to the border on the Israeli side was fully cultivated and put to use. In the distance, 11 wind towers on the Israeli side spun slowly with the wind, supply energy for the region. Across the border, old Syria cities stood largely obsolete. Even the land had a different hue.
From the Golan we drove south to Jerusalem. As the hours ticked on, the land around us began to change. All of a sudden we were surrounded by trees and valleys, and then we came upon Jerusalem. The old city will be left for tomorrow, but today we got a first-hand glimpse into the everyday life of a modern Jerusalemite. As we walked through the Jerusalem market, religious Jews mixed with secular ones, old Israelis showed their children and grandchildren the secrets of the market, and bands seamlessly played classic and modern songs.
Today was filled with contradiction and tomorrow promises even more, with a trip to the Western Wall, Israeli’s holiest site, followed by a journey to Tel Aviv, the country‘s most secular. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
