i know, i know. i promised photos and a run down of my trip and yet...nothing. so, my paltry attempt with words now, photos later:
israel was fascinating, heartbreaking, educational, stimulating, tiring, evocative and just wow! throwing adjectives out there is the only way i can organize my experience at this point. it was a lot to take in during a very short period of time. our sightseeing and free time was kept to an absolute minimum - the day following our arrival, a couple late evenings and the 5 hours between our last work trip and getting on the bus back to the airport. we logged approximately 20 hours in a small bus during the five work days, up and down and all around this little country (the size of new jersey) that felt soooo vast.
if you ever have the slightest chance to visit jerusalem, don't think twice. jump on it. it is an amazingly beautiful, friendly and clean city. whether you are religious or not, one cannot deny the pull felt when looking at the walls of the old city and the significance of standing before something that old and rich in history. walking inside the winding streets of the shuk (the arab market) it is as if you have been transported to another, fabulous world full of color, beautiful fabrics and scents of spices and foreign foods. walking through the church of the holy sepulcher and touching the stone that held the crucifix is humbling. approaching the western (wailing) wall brought chills, while standing among hundreds of the faithful.
two and a half weeks later i'm still attempting to digest all that i saw and experienced. once i am settled in my new home i'll post back with some of my favorite photos.
and speaking of home - the big move is here! e and i have been moving at least two flatbeds of boxes to the condo each night and i think it's safe to say that we are over halfway done. the big push is this weekend as my lease officially ends on monday. few people can honestly say they enjoy moving. i. can't. stand. it. i love settling in to a new place. but, the process of packing and moving and getting to that point? not so much. however, e and i have been working so well together. laughing and joking. focusing both on each other and on getting the job done.
on sunday, it was time to bring my ancient and decrepit couch to the curb to meet it's end. i've had that big old couch since 1996 and, my grandparents must have had it 30 years before me. that couch was there for me when i moved into my first apartment and had no money for furniture. it moved with me twice and provided comfortable cushions for me and a lovely scratching surface (tweed, don't you know) for my cat. but, it was time to let go of the slip-covered orange and brown plaid monster. now, when i say this couch is large well, that's an understatement. about 8 feet long with a curved back. ginormous.
the movers got it up the five flights and into my apartment five years ago in one piece. surely we could get it back out, right? well we tried it one way, and then another. e got wedged in between the couch and the wall several times. we tried, hefted and maneuvered. and then...i dropped my end and doubled over laughing. the kind of laughter where you can't even catch your breath. when i could finally utter a few words to clue e in on what was happening I said, "Pivot, pivot, PIVOT!!!!" And he joined right in.
Reason #5, 192 that we are perfect for each other: We always get each other's "Friends" references [Episode 113, Season 5, Title: The One with the Cop" and, yes, I googled it!]
Ross: Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!
Chandler: Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
almost there, almost there, almost there. my mantra for the next few days...
Great post, honey! I love your writing, it's so visual! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall watching that couch move!!! See you Saturday!
Posted by: Mom | June 26, 2008 at 09:33 AM
ooooooooooooo love hearing about your travels. and your move, well let's just say rather you than me. WAYYYYYYYY tooo much junk have i collected. lol!
Posted by: lynn | June 26, 2008 at 05:53 PM
good luck with your move! I bet you are looking forward to the next chapter in your life!
Posted by: monica in raleigh | June 26, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Sounds like such an amazing trip! Good luck with your moving adventures!
Posted by: Debbi T | June 27, 2008 at 08:32 AM
oh my....that is one of my favorite ross moments :) wishing you a speedy settle in and hope to touch base with you real soon!
Posted by: aurie | June 29, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Seriously, the best moment of FRIENDS. EVER. Can't wait to see your pictures.
Posted by: Jessica | June 29, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Sounds fantastic!
Posted by: Jen | July 04, 2008 at 07:10 AM