Andy's Photos
As loyal readers know, we recently traveled to Israel with Andy and Peggy; there were a couple postings from this recent visit, and even a snapshot or two. (Like a picture I took of Susan standing by the dairy farm, cows in the background.) But as we traveled around, and when I was taking an occasional snapshot, Andy was taking hundreds of photos; photos of almost everything we saw - people, places, scenery, even photos of me taking pictures of Susan. Plus, he was lugging this massive 35 mm. camera around, which I found amazing, because I struggle to shed every possible ounce when we travel, and the thought of traveling with a gigantic fancy camera is somewhere close to inconceivable for me. But yesterday, we received in the mail, along with a shirt Susan left somewhere, and a book about the Bible that Peggy had borrowed, a CD with 363 of Andy's photos. And so now I have to admit, that it was well worth whatever effort was required to schlep that camera all over the holy land.
Andy's photos are way better than good; they are somewhere between fabulous and perfect. I know he's an artist and all, but until one sees the evidence, it's hard to appreciate what an amazing eye he brought to this trip. It's like he saw things that I never knew were there; or at least was unable to appreciate, at least from a visual perspective. I know I'm not really a visual kind of person. If I were to chronicle the trip, I would choose to do so in words, by writing here, for example. And if I retain memories from the visit, those memories are much more likely to arise from tastes and smells, than from scenes or panorama. My strongest impression of this recent visit was the food; and in particular, those sweets we ate all through the Galilee. But I'm amazed to find out, when looking at Andy's photos, that it's almost as if I toured Israel as a blind person, missing so much of the visual fabric (I think that's a phrase from Get Shorty actually).
In any event Andy, wonderful photos, and thanks so much for the CD. You need to share them with the rest of the world. I'd put them here, on my blog, but that would only reach the five or six people who read this, and you deserve a much wider audience.
Andy's photos are way better than good; they are somewhere between fabulous and perfect. I know he's an artist and all, but until one sees the evidence, it's hard to appreciate what an amazing eye he brought to this trip. It's like he saw things that I never knew were there; or at least was unable to appreciate, at least from a visual perspective. I know I'm not really a visual kind of person. If I were to chronicle the trip, I would choose to do so in words, by writing here, for example. And if I retain memories from the visit, those memories are much more likely to arise from tastes and smells, than from scenes or panorama. My strongest impression of this recent visit was the food; and in particular, those sweets we ate all through the Galilee. But I'm amazed to find out, when looking at Andy's photos, that it's almost as if I toured Israel as a blind person, missing so much of the visual fabric (I think that's a phrase from Get Shorty actually).
In any event Andy, wonderful photos, and thanks so much for the CD. You need to share them with the rest of the world. I'd put them here, on my blog, but that would only reach the five or six people who read this, and you deserve a much wider audience.
posted by pops | 11:20 PM
4 Comments:
What kind words,David. I agree with you about the schlepping. Whenever I go for a hike, bringing along a bottle of water is a chore. But I do like to chronicle trips. Several of the food photos were shot by Peggy.
This was a trip of a lifetime. Israel is an amazing place; one that arouses all the senses in addition to the soul. Sharing the experience with you, Susie, Fran and Gidon enriched the trip that much more.
Peggy and I have each written our thoughts of it. Even though everyone told me prior to travellig to Israel, that it was going to have a profound affect on me--I was a bit surprised when that feeling washed over me. The following is an excerpt that addresses how my feelings of being a Jew were awakened....
By now, that special sensation that everyone had told me was going to happen began to take hold. It started with the taste of food and other sensory organs. I’ve never been that much of a history buff but to see first hand so many ancient sites that relate to Abraham, Moses, Jesus, the Romans and so forth, it became very real—nothing like seeing these kind of mosaics in museums.
Still missing was my identity with being Jewish.
What comes first to mind is the anguish of my father’s death and my mother insisting that I say Kaddish for him every day for a year in temple. This was very difficult. I didn’t want to do it because it made me feel like an adult at too early an age and reminded me painfully of my loss. While I’ve heard that it’s an important tradition and even comforting for some adults to say Kaddish for their loved ones, for me, it was pure misery.
I’ve felt shame about being a Jew. One third of the world’s Jewish population was exterminated during the Holocaust. I identified with being a victim and was embarrassed. It’s similar to how some raped women react. They endure guilt and yet they didn’t do anything wrong.
Thirdly, I’ve long thought that religions are the basis for so much that’s wrong in the world. Hypocrisy is rampant and it seems ludicrous that so many people have died in the name of God.
There was still my identity or lack there of with a people; the 0.6 percent of the world’s population that so many others have always wanted to annihilate. There’s the benefaction—just in comedy alone—that Jews have contributed and affected the world. That’s a remarkably disproportional ratio. There are less than a million Jews in Europe and 5 million Jews in Israel.
Peggy had helped me realize I was a cultural Jew and a part of that small percentage, albeit a closet one.
What exited me out of the closet were two instances. After countless Israeli meals, regardless of how great, we were in the mood for something different so we went out for some good Italian. The atmosphere was like any pasta joint in the U.S. After receiving our Bolognese Pappardelle and wine, our waitress simply said “L’Chaim” after pouring our glasses. This just blew me away. I realized the waitress was Jewish. My eyes darted all over the restaurant. Looking around, it hit me that everyone was Jewish; the customers, wait staff, bartender, bus boys, dishwasher. Everybody was Jewish!
A couple of nights later, we were sitting around having drinks in a bar when David told a story about suing a stuck up waspy country club for discrimination. Susie began to say softly that the club “didn’t let Jews in”. Peggy quipped, “You don’t have to whisper. We’re in Israel.
There was no need for me to hide or fit in. The circle was becoming complete.
Israel has been an astonishing success. What they’ve accomplished with the land alone is amazing. The art, cuisine, preservation of history, culture, universities and medical facilities are all first rate. The shame and embarrassment of so many, many years began to dissolve. I didn’t have to be religious. However, after seeing all that has been achieved and hearing what Israel has done for so many people, my spine certainly straightened and gave my heart a delight to see the Israeli flag flying in a way that I never felt when I see the American flag.
Andy
Andy,
Terrific posting.
I really got a lot out of your journey as a reluctant Jew since your father's death. Even though I see myself as a Jew with religion, I am not a religious Jew.
I have always thought I would benefit spiritually from a trip to Israel. After reading your experience it is a must trip for me.
Thanks again for revealing your feelings.
G-man
Andy,
A beautiful comment, and a bit of a surprise. When we were traveling, I knew we were all having fun, but I didn't know that the trip was making that strong an impression. I remember how moved I was on my first trip, and I'm really pleased to learn that it made such a big impression on you. We should defintely go back, and an idea for another trip is to go to a few spas. That's a bit hedonistic for a trip to Israel, I know, and it may be competely unnecessary, as I found the Tzipoir Moshav utterly beautiful (and obviously much more affordable), but still, it's a thought. Another thought is to spend the entire time in one area, like the Galilee. My friend Danny wants to structure a trip around Israel's new cuisine, which is just coming into its own.
Last night on the plane to Miami, I read an interesting article about the Druze, that I meant to cut out for you. A Druze woman is consul to the SE U.S., and she says that the Druze see themselves as comparable to American Jews. Both are disticnt minorities in their homeland, but both are very loyal to their homelands. Druze are happy as Israelis, just as we are happy to be Americans. Very interesting; unfortunately, I threw the paper away. If I find the article on line, I'll send it.
That Druze article sounds good. I liked the Druze village alot. Peggy went nuts later on the trip for the white cloths the women had on their heads and found one.
There have been some other good pieces I've seen on tv or read. Did you read the cover story in the Atlantic Monthly I sent.
We definitely are up for a return trip. We have imagined spending one week up north in the upper Galilee/Golan which we didn't get to and a week back in Ein Gedi which was like going to the fountain of youth. There was a wellness spa at a kibbutz in this incredibly beautiful setting, great food and multiple hikes that we didn't even get to.
I'm glad we went to the Red Sea. We found a nice little beach just north of the Egyptian border. The water was simply beautiful; good snorkling and swimming, but I could forego Eilat which was like a cross between Miami and Las Vegas.
A funny incident occurred one night after dinner. The four of us were strolling along the "boardwalk" and went into one of the mega glitzy hotels. We got in an elevator to catch a view from the top floor. Inside the elevator was this obviously very wealthy family. She was quite attractive, dripping in jewels and perfume. Their little girl was cute and also all dolled up. The guy was intense. He immediately shot me a look that said "back the fuck off Jack and don't even think about making eye contact". When we exited the elevator, Gidon told us that he was the most infamous, notorious gangster in Israel.
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